A Noida-based couple working as software engineers at Microsoft has outlined monthly expenses of around Rs 1.6 lakh, offering a detailed look at the cost of living for dual-income professionals in the NCR, according to a Hindustan Times report.
Chhavi Maheshwari and her husband Ripesh Yadav, both graduates of the National Institute of Technology Uttarakhand (2014–2018), began their careers at Samsung in Noida in 2018 before moving to Goldman Sachs in 2020 and joining Microsoft in January 2022. The couple has lived in Noida for nearly eight years and is currently based in Sector 75.
Maheshwari, originally from Muzaffarnagar in Uttar Pradesh, and Yadav, from Jaspur in Uttarakhand, said proximity to family was a key factor in choosing to stay in Noida. Their hometowns are within a few hours’ driving distance, making regular visits feasible and influencing their long-term living choice.
The couple lives in a 2BHK semi-furnished apartment with a monthly rent of around Rs 35,000. Housing-related costs, including maintenance, electricity and internet, add another Rs 15,000–20,000 per month, taking total accommodation expenses to roughly Rs 50,000–55,000.
Food and daily living form another significant portion of their budget. Monthly grocery and household spend is about Rs 20,000, while dining out, food delivery and weekend outings account for an additional Rs 15,000–20,000.
Transport costs are relatively contained at Rs 8,000–12,000 a month, as the couple primarily uses company-provided office transport and relies on their personal vehicle mainly for non-work travel. Lifestyle expenses—including shopping, subscriptions, personal care and entertainment—range between Rs 10,000 and Rs 20,000 monthly, depending on usage.
The remaining portion of their Rs 1.6 lakh monthly outgo goes towards EMIs and other miscellaneous expenses. The couple follows a simple budgeting system, contributing Rs 80,000 each to a joint account from which all shared expenses are managed, instead of using expense-tracking tools.
Despite rising costs, Maheshwari said Noida continues to offer a balanced lifestyle, combining job opportunities, infrastructure and accessibility to family. She noted that while the city is still relatively more affordable compared to Bengaluru or Hyderabad, expenses have increased significantly since 2018, particularly in housing, lifestyle and discretionary spending.
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The couple also flagged commonly underestimated costs such as maintenance charges, subscriptions and frequent dining out, which can accumulate over time. Their experience reflects broader trends among urban professionals, where higher incomes are often matched by rising living costs, even in cities considered relatively affordable within the NCR.
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