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Woman calls ₹1–2 lakh monthly income in tier-1 cities a ‘salary trap’: ‘Not enough to feel financial freedom’
A woman called ₹1–2 lakh monthly earnings a “salary trap”, citing high living costs in India’s tier-1 cities.
Earning between ₹1 lakh and ₹2 lakh a month may appear to offer a comfortable lifestyle, but a woman has argued that the reality can be quite different for people living in India’s tier-1 cities. In a video shared on Instagram, she spoke about what she described as the “ ₹1 to ₹2 lakh salary trap”, saying people in this income bracket often find themselves caught between rising aspirations and the high cost of urban living.
(Also read: ‘Enough to stop dreaming’: Woman explains why ₹1 lakh monthly salary is ‘the biggest trap’ in 2026)
Why ₹1–2 lakh may not feel enough
The woman, identified as Nidhi Kushwaha, said that despite earning what is generally considered a good salary, many professionals may still struggle to experience a sense of financial freedom.
"I don't know why people aren't talking about this, because people earning between ₹1 to ₹2 lakh a month in tier-1 cities are under some of the highest financial pressure right now. Because you earn enough that you don't want to live a lower-middle-class life anymore, but not enough to comfortably live the lifestyle of the wealthy. Rent is expensive, taxes are heavy, healthcare is expensive, car, school, lifestyle—everything is premium in a tier-1 city. You are earning to spend in a tier-1 city, but not enough to actually feel financial freedom. That is the ₹1 to ₹2 lakh salary trap."
Her argument centres on the gap between earnings and the lifestyle such an income is expected to provide, particularly when expenses such as housing, healthcare, education, transport and taxes are taken into account.
‘Still feel financially stuck’
Sharing the clip, Kushwaha further summed up her point in the caption: " ₹1–2 lakh a month sounds like a lot… until you actually try to build a comfortable life in a Tier-1 city. You’re earning well, but somehow still feel financially stuck."
Watch the clip here:
Social media users react
The post drew reactions from users, several of whom agreed with Kushwaha’s assessment. One person wrote, “ ₹1–2 lakh sounds like a lot until tier-1 city expenses hit.” Another simply responded, “Yes, you are right.”
A third user echoed the sentiment, writing, “I agree with you,” while another commented, “High salary on paper, but very little peace of mind.”
(Also read: ‘ ₹5 lakh job is like a golden cage’: Woman explains why she is happier after leaving high-paying corporate job)
HT.com has reached out to the user for her comments, and the copy will be updated once her response is received.
(Disclaimer: This report is based on user-generated content from social media. HT.com has not independently verified the claims and does not endorse them.)
