NRI earning ₹1.6 crore in US wants to return to India, but has one question

An NRI with a PhD and 12 years of experience, who earns ₹1.6 crore in US , considers relocating to Bengaluru with a ₹90 lakh salary offer.

Updated on: Jan 22, 2026, 24:14:19 IST

By Shweta Kukreti

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Is an annual salary of ₹90 lakh sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle in Bengaluru? This discussion took place when an Indian-origin professional residing in the United States shared his intentions to return to India after spending over a decade abroad on Reddit. However, HT.com cannot independently verify the authenticity of the post.

An NRI professional is considering relocating to Bengaluru with a job offer of ₹90 lakh annually. While many believe it's sufficient for a comfortable lifestyle, some express concerns about high living costs in the city compared to his current income of ₹1.6 crore in the US.

Also Read: NRI opens up about why moving back to India feels harder than moving to the US: 'It's complicated'

All on NRI's profession and pay

The user possesses a PhD in Chemical Engineering with over 12 years of experience in a highly specialized sector. The professional presently earns around $190,000 annually in the US, which is nearly ₹1.6 crore.

“This is a major sticking point for me because I planned to pay off our villa in India when the stocks vest. We are planning to relocate to India to care for our parents,” the NRI wrote on Reddit.

Despite the attractive salary in the US, the NRI's main concern is family. The NRI wishes to return to Bengaluru to be closer to his elderly parents. Nevertheless, a job offer from a multinational corporation in the city has put him in a dilemma. The company has offered a comprehensive package of ₹90 lakh annually, with a base salary of ₹74 lakh, which represents a considerable decrease from his present income.

Redditors react

Several users expressed that the offer was more than sufficient within the Indian context. “Don’t overthink it, this is a good move. You can always come back since you have US passport this isn’t a luxury everyone has,” one user remarked.

Several others highlighted that ₹90 lakh firmly positions an individual in the upper income tier in India, enabling a comfortable lifestyle, even in a city such as Bengaluru.

“If you are close to getting US citizenship, get it before any plans to move. 90L is a good salary if you need to move. Typical expenses will be 3 lakhs per month. And stay close to workplace,” another stated.

However, some people also stated that the amount is not enough to survive in Bengaluru.

“Sorry to break it you! 90 LPA CTC is peanuts in BLR. it is going to be hand-to-mouth living for you! negotiate and say you can water the boss's garden to get a better offer!” a third person stated.

“Bruh you have to drive cab for paying your rent, not enough,” one more commented.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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