Is earning ₹7 lakh a month abroad always better than making ₹40,000 in India? A Dutch-Indian couple has sparked a lively debate online after comparing the cost of living in Switzerland and India in a now-viral Instagram video.
The couple, Chantal and her husband Guru, broke down what everyday expenses look like in both countries, arguing that a bigger salary doesn’t necessarily mean more money left at the end of the month.
The video begins with a simple statement,”₹7 lakh salary sounds amazing…until you see the rent. Which side are you picking? India or Switzerland?”
Chantal then explains the monthly expenses for someone earning ₹40,000 in India, while Guru compares them with a person earning around ₹7 lakh in Switzerland.
According to the couple, rent alone tells a striking story. While accommodation in India costs around ₹20,000, a comparable home in Switzerland could cost nearly ₹2 lakh. They also compared grocery bills, public transport, health insurance, and childcare, claiming childcare costs could be around ₹5,000 in India versus ₹1.5 lakh in Switzerland.
The video quickly went viral, drawing mixed reactions from viewers. Many appreciated the financial comparison. One user simply wrote, “Really nice.”
Others, however, felt money alone doesn’t tell the full story. One comment read, “How about road conditions, air quality, corruption, civic sense, law and order, women and child safety?”
The couple acknowledged the point and replied: “Good point. We were just comparing finances here, but we can make these in the future too.”
Another user argued that the comparison overlooked one of the biggest factors people consider before moving abroad.
“What about quality of life. My granddaughter stays in Swiss, she does not wish on the life in Pune, leave Delhi. This is illogical comparison. 40k pm in Delhi is peanut.”
While some agreed that the cost of living in Switzerland is significantly higher, others pointed out that better infrastructure, cleaner cities, public services, and overall quality of life also have value that cannot be measured by salary alone.
Chantal and Guru, who regularly create content on Instagram and YouTube about culture, travel, and everyday life as a Dutch-Indian couple, have since seen their video spark a broader conversation online.
In the end, the debate wasn’t really about ₹40,000 versus ₹7 lakh. It became a discussion about what matters more: higher savings or a better quality of life.
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