Bengaluru Engineer's Side Hustle Raises Questions About the City's Skyrocketing Cost of Living

Financial Pressures Mount in Bengaluru as Software Engineer Turns to Side Hustle

A recent conversation on social media has sparked a wider discussion about the rising cost of living in India's major cities, with a Bengaluru software engineer's weekend side hustle as a Rapido bike taxi rider at the center of the debate.

The online discussion began after a user named Shabaz shared an encounter with a Rapido rider during a trip to Bannerghatta in Bengaluru. What started as a routine ride soon turned into an eye-opening conversation about finances, family responsibilities, and life in one of India's most expensive cities. According to Shabaz, the rider initially spoke in Kannada before switching to English after realizing his passenger was not fluent in the language.

During their conversation, Shabaz mentioned that he worked as a software engineer. To his surprise, the rider revealed that he too was employed as a software developer at a multinational company. The rider, a 35-year-old engineer, told Shabaz that despite earning a six-figure monthly salary, he spends his weekends driving for Rapido to earn additional income. He reportedly said he was married, had a young child, and wanted to supplement his earnings to better support his family.

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The story triggered a broader debate about personal finance, lifestyle choices, and career growth. Reflecting on the interaction, Shabaz questioned whether the financial pressures of living in Bengaluru and other Tier-1 cities had reached a point where even well-paid professionals felt compelled to take on side gigs. Some users argued that the engineer could make better use of his time by investing in new skills that could help him secure a higher-paying role in the technology sector.

Others defended the engineer's decision, pointing out that a seemingly high salary can quickly get consumed by home loan EMIs, children's education expenses, household costs, and the responsibility of supporting aging parents. They said the pressure is especially intense for those who are the sole earners in their families.

A few commenters also viewed the story through the lens of career development. One user remarked that software professionals should focus on mastering emerging technologies such as AI systems, distributed computing, and advanced engineering skills rather than pursuing gig-economy work for supplementary income.

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Note: The number of comments is a rough estimate and may not reflect the actual number of comments on the social media post.