Global cost of living comparison goes viral as users highlight rent, groceries, and lifestyle expenses, questions affordability in top international cities
Simran Guleria | Feb 23, 2026, 22:20 IST
A viral global cost of living comparison highlights soaring rent, groceries, and lifestyle expenses, prompting users to question affordability and quality of life in top international cities.
Image credit : Freepik| Global cost of living study sparks affordability debate
Social media users have recently launched a worldwide conversation comparing the cost of living across countries, ignited by a viral post from Thomas Sanlis. Sharing his monthly expenses in France, Sanlis revealed that maintaining a comfortable lifestyle costs around 2,372 euros, equivalent to roughly ₹2.5 lakh. His breakdown included 1,400 euros for EMIs, 450 euros on groceries, and 160 euros covering electricity and miscellaneous expenses. He noted a sharp rise in grocery bills over the past two years, with his monthly food costs nearly doubling from 250 euros.
![Freepik| Users question high expenses in top world cities]()
Sanlis’s post has prompted hundreds of users to share their own living costs, spanning nations from Singapore to the Netherlands and India, offering a fascinating glimpse into global lifestyle differences.
Image credit : Freepik| Users question high expenses in top world cities
Sanlis’s post has prompted hundreds of users to share their own living costs, spanning nations from Singapore to the Netherlands and India, offering a fascinating glimpse into global lifestyle differences.
My monthly cost of living in France 🇫🇷
🏠 1,400€ loan for the appartment
🥗 450€ food, organic only, with meat fish etc
📦 300€ average for various expenses (bars, orders, etc)
⚡160€ electricity + gaz
📱 45€ phone + internet
🚌 17€ average for transportation
Total:… pic.twitter.com/1mK9ZFCGgt
— Thomas Sanlis 🥐 (@T_Zahil) February 19, 2026
Living abroad: What it really costs
In Singapore, software engineer Avery detailed a monthly expenditure of around 1,200 USD, or approximately ₹1 lakh, covering food, shopping, entertainment, and gym membership. Living with her parents allowed her to save significantly, avoiding rent costs entirely. Another Singaporean included a rent of S$1,500 in their monthly budget, bringing total expenses to over 2,200 USD (₹2 lakh).
Meanwhile, in the Netherlands, Ayda Golahmadi, co-founder of Starnus, shared that she and her partner spend €3,870 monthly, or about ₹4.1 lakh. The largest portion, €1,500, goes towards rent, followed by €400 on transport, €800 on groceries for two, and another €400 on social activities. Additional spending includes utilities, online orders, and subscriptions.
In stark contrast, life in India appears far more affordable. Kartikey Singh revealed spending $633 per month (Rs. 57,000) in a tier-1 city, including $167 on shared apartment rent, $111 on entertainment, $167 on fuel, and $33 for a cook’s salary. The comparison highlights the significant variations in daily living costs and underscores how location dramatically impacts financial planning.
Lessons from the global conversation
The social media exchange has evolved into more than a mere numbers game. It is shining a light on how inflation, local pricing, and lifestyle choices influence living standards worldwide. Users are not only comparing monetary figures but also reflecting on broader issues such as housing, food accessibility, and work-life balance.
Image credit : Freepik| Worldwide cost of living trends raise major questions
The conversation also highlights an underlying social dimension. Individuals are examining how savings and income levels differ globally, revealing the challenges faced by expatriates and local residents alike. This discussion encourages readers to rethink assumptions about cost of living in “expensive” or “affordable” countries, emphasising the importance of planning, budgeting, and adaptability in today’s globalised world.
Whether it is the high rent in Singapore, grocery inflation in France, or comparatively low costs in India, the thread has captured widespread attention, demonstrating how social media can turn personal finance insights into a global dialogue.
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