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Monthly Expenses for Working Professionals near Bangalore in 2026

When I moved to Bangalore for my first job, I had only one question in my mind –
“How much money will I need every month to survive here?”

Everyone gave different answers. Some said Bangalore is very costly, some said it is manageable. After living here and managing my own expenses, I understood one thing very clearly – your monthly expense in Bangalore depends completely on how and where you live.

In this blog, I am sharing a realistic monthly expense breakdown for working professionals in Bangalore, based on my personal experience and what most people around me spend.

This guide is especially useful for:

Freshers coming to Bangalore
IT and corporate professionals
People living in PG, hostel, or co-living
Anyone planning to shift to Bangalore

What Is the Average Monthly Expense in Bangalore?

On average, a working professional in Bangalore spends between ₹18,000 to ₹35,000 per month. This amount changes based on accommodation type, office location, food habits, and lifestyle.

Someone living in a PG or co-living space usually spends much less compared to someone staying in a rented flat. Let’s understand each expense one by one in detail so you can plan better.

1. Accommodation Cost in Bangalore (Major Monthly Expense)

Accommodation takes the biggest share of your monthly salary in Bangalore. Rent varies a lot based on area, room type, and facilities.

If you are staying in a shared PG or hostel, the rent usually starts from ₹7,000 and can go up to ₹12,000. This option is common among freshers because it is affordable and easy to manage.

If you choose a private room in a PG or co-living, the rent ranges between ₹12,000 to ₹18,000. You get more privacy, better facilities, and peace of mind.

Renting a 1 BHK flat is more expensive. Monthly rent usually starts from ₹15,000 and can easily cross ₹25,000, excluding maintenance and bills.

From my experience, PG or co-living is the safest and smartest option when you are new to Bangalore. You don’t have to worry about furniture, repairs, or dealing with landlords.

Internal linking opportunity:

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PG vs Flat in Bangalore – Which Is Better?

2. Food Expenses in Bangalore

Food is another important monthly expense, but this depends fully on your accommodation choice.

If you stay in a PG or co-living where food is included, you don’t have to spend extra money daily. This helps you save both money and time after long office hours.

If you eat outside regularly or order food online, your monthly food expense can easily reach ₹4,000 to ₹7,000. This also affects your health in the long run.

People who cook at home spend around ₹3,000 to ₹5,000 on groceries, gas, and basic cooking items. But cooking daily after office is not easy for everyone.

Personally, having food included in rent helped me control my expenses and focus on work.

Read – PG with Food vs PG without Food – Which Saves More?

3. Transportation Cost in Bangalore

Bangalore is famous for traffic, but transportation cost can still be managed with proper planning.

If you use BMTC buses or metro, your monthly travel expense stays between ₹1,000 to ₹2,000. Metro is fast and saves a lot of time.

Many companies provide office cabs, which usually cost around ₹1,500 to ₹3,000 per month, depending on distance.

Using a bike increases fuel and parking expenses, which can go up to ₹2,000 to ₹3,500 monthly.

Staying close to your office or metro station reduces both travel cost and daily stress.

Internal linking opportunity:

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4. Electricity, Water & Wi-Fi Bills

If you stay in a rented flat, utility bills are an extra burden every month.

Electricity bills can range from ₹800 to ₹1,500, especially if you use AC or geyser regularly. Water charges also increase during summer.

Wi-Fi is another fixed cost, usually between ₹600 to ₹1,000 per month.

In PG or co-living spaces, these expenses are mostly included in the rent, which makes monthly budgeting simple and predictable.

5. Mobile, Internet & OTT Subscriptions

These expenses look small but slowly add up every month.

Mobile recharge usually costs ₹200 to ₹400 depending on your plan. Most people also have at least one OTT subscription.

OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime, or Hotstar cost around ₹300 to ₹600 per month.

Overall, you should keep ₹500 to ₹1,000 aside for digital subscriptions.

6. Personal & Lifestyle Expenses

This includes gym, shopping, outings, movies, and weekend plans.

A basic gym membership costs between ₹800 to ₹2,000 per month. Weekend outings and movies can easily cost ₹1,500 to ₹3,000.

Shopping and small personal expenses like grooming, accessories, or local travel add another ₹1,000 to ₹3,000.

This is the category where most people overspend without tracking.

7. Emergency Fund & Savings (Very Important)

No matter how much you earn, savings are important.

You should always keep at least ₹1,000 to ₹2,000 monthly for emergencies like medical needs or sudden travel.

Try to save 10–20% of your salary every month. Even small savings help in the long run.

Living in PG or co-living helps because expenses are fixed and easier to manage.

Total Monthly Expense Breakdown

For PG / Co-living Residents

Rent + Food: ₹9,000 – ₹16,000
Transport: ₹1,500 – ₹3,000
Utilities & Other Expenses: ₹4,000 – ₹7,000

Total Monthly Expense: ₹15,000 – ₹25,000

For Flat Residents

Rent + Utilities: ₹15,000 – ₹25,000
Food: ₹3,000 – ₹6,000
Transport & Lifestyle: ₹5,000 – ₹8,000

Total Monthly Expense: ₹25,000 – ₹35,000

How to Reduce Monthly Expenses in Bangalore

From my personal experience, small changes make a big difference.

Choosing a PG or co-living instead of a flat reduces rent, food, and utility costs. Staying near office saves travel money and time. Places with food included help control daily spending.

This is why many working professionals prefer managed co-living spaces like Stanza Living, where rent, food, Wi-Fi, housekeeping, and security are already included.

Is Bangalore Expensive for Working Professionals?

Bangalore is not expensive if you plan smartly.

With the right accommodation and controlled lifestyle, you can live comfortably even on a moderate salary. For freshers and working professionals, PG and co-living options are the most practical and stress-free way to manage monthly expenses.

Explore PGs in Bangalore