A Hyderabad-based financial analyst has sparked a heated discussion on LinkedIn with a striking comparison: renting a 2BHK in Koramangala, Bengaluru, now costs ₹70,000 per month—just ₹10,000 less than a similar apartment in a New York suburb.
Hardik Joshi’s revelation has left many questioning how Bengaluru, once considered an affordable haven for professionals, has reached a point where its rental prices are nearly on par with one of the world’s most expensive cities.
Describing the situation as “madness,” Joshi attributes the surge to a widening gap between demand and supply. With thousands of new residents flocking to the city each year, the housing market has failed to keep pace, creating a landlord’s market where property owners dictate the terms. As a result, renters face an uphill battle, forced to either pay exorbitant rates or relocate.
The issue extends beyond skyrocketing rents. Despite paying near-New York prices, Bengaluru’s infrastructure remains strained, with long commutes, traffic congestion, and an inadequate public transport system making daily life challenging. Joshi puts it bluntly: “You’re paying New York prices to live in a city where a 10 km commute still takes an hour.”
The city’s rental boom is reshaping the housing market, with certain areas witnessing sharper price hikes than others. North Bengaluru, particularly Hebbal, Hennur, and Thanisandra, is seeing rents rise by 20-25% due to its proximity to the airport and ongoing infrastructure projects. Whitefield’s outskirts, including Glenwood Layout and Varthur Road, remain a prime choice for tech professionals, with rents expected to increase by 10-20%. Similarly, Sarjapur Road is experiencing steady appreciation due to its connectivity to IT hubs, while Kanakapura Road is gaining traction with new infrastructure developments.
A decade ago, Bengaluru was a city of opportunity—affordable, dynamic, and full of promise. Now, as rental costs soar, many are beginning to wonder: Has Bengaluru become India’s most overpriced city, pushing professionals to reconsider their options?
