News: Why High Earners Keep Renting Rs 60,000-Rs 1 Lakh Homes-13-02-2026
Monthly rents of Rs 60,000 or more are no longer rare in Bengaluru, Mumbai and Delhi-NCR, and a growing number of salaried professionals are choosing premium rentals even though home ownership remains a strong aspiration. A Reddit discussion showed that for many this is a deliberate decision about cost, flexibility and lifestyle, not an inability to buy.
One couple described paying Rs 60,000 for a "palace-like" apartment before buying a home six months after moving in. Their EMI is now far higher than the rent was, and the building, interiors and registration process wore them out financially and emotionally. They have no regrets, they wrote, but sometimes think they could have gone on living "like kings" with a landlord who handled maintenance, and they understand why people with high disposable income prefer not to buy. The multiplier between renting a great home and buying one is very large, they said.
Other users listed additional advantages: tax savings through HRA, credit card rewards on rent payments, better amenities and freedom from maintenance and legal hassle.
Several tenants said the flats they occupy in prime or well-connected areas would cost Rs 3 crore to Rs 5 crore to purchase. One wrote that people renting at Rs 60,000 cannot afford Rs 4-5 crore flats and buying at that price makes no sense, while renting gives larger homes in better locations without heavy debt. Another calculated that Rs 60,000 rent corresponds to a home worth about Rs 2.4 crore at a 3-4% rental yield, and the EMI would be much higher while tying them to one place. A Mumbai user pays nearly Rs 1 lakh but has no commute, and said an equivalent flat would cost far more in EMI.
Job mobility was among the strongest arguments. Users said renting lets them shift cities, neighbourhoods or countries without the financial and emotional inertia of ownership. One would readily move for a better opportunity, valuing time over a few thousand rupees more in rent. Another said renters are less worried, more adaptable and readier to pursue growth than owners bound by EMIs. A commenter added that if income for 30 years of EMIs is uncertain, renting is safer, and investing the gap between EMI and rent can hasten financial independence.
Experts say the decision should rest on overall financial goals and lifestyle needs, not tax benefits alone. HRA and deductions on home loan interest and principal are available only under the old tax regime, and the new regime can still work out better without them. Buyers should also consider location, long-term appreciation and whether the property can be let out if they relocate.
The report is based on user-generated social media content that HT.com said it has not independently verified.
