CTC Compare is a free, 100% private tool for Indian professionals to calculate their exact monthly in-hand salary and compare multiple job offers side-by-side. All calculations happen on your device — no data is stored or shared.

How do I calculate in-hand salary from CTC in India?

To calculate in-hand salary from CTC in India: subtract Employee PF (12% of basic salary), income tax (based on Old or New regime for FY 2025-26), professional tax, and other deductions from your monthly gross salary. CTC Compare does this automatically for free.

Which is better — Old Tax Regime or New Tax Regime in FY 2025-26?

For most salaried employees with a CTC below 15 LPA and limited deductions, the New Tax Regime generally offers a higher in-hand salary in FY 2025-26. For those with significant 80C, HRA, and home loan interest deductions, the Old Regime may be better. Use CTC Compare's calculator to check your exact scenario.

Is CTC Compare free to use?

Yes, CTC Compare is completely free. There is no login required, no subscription, and no data is ever stored. All salary calculations happen locally on your device.

What is a Good Salary in India in 2026? City-by-City Reality Check

Category: Career Growth | Date: 2026-06-10

Is 10 LPA a good salary? What about 20 LPA? We break down what constitutes a 'good salary' in Bangalore, Mumbai, Hyderabad, Pune, and Tier-2 cities in 2026 with real cost-of-living data.

'Is my salary good?' is one of the most googled career questions in India — and the answer is: **it entirely depends on where you live and what stage of life you're in.** ₹10 LPA in Mysore provides a genuinely comfortable, savings-rich lifestyle. ₹10 LPA in Mumbai means budgeting every meal.

This is the guide we wish existed when we were evaluating our first salary.

### The Framework: What Makes a Salary 'Good'?

A salary is objectively good when it allows you to: cover all essential expenses comfortably, save at least 20-30% of your in-hand income, invest for your future (retirement, house, emergency fund), and afford a reasonable lifestyle without constant financial stress.

### Bangalore — The Benchmark City for Tech

Bangalore is the barometer for Indian IT salaries. The city is also expensive, especially for rent near Electronic City, Whitefield, or Koramangala.

**Minimum decent salary:** 6-8 LPA (tight but manageable for a single person renting a PG/studio) | **Comfortable salary:** 12-18 LPA (good 1BHK, savings possible) | **Affluent lifestyle:** 25 LPA+ (2BHK in a good locality, significant savings, discretionary spending)

### Mumbai — India's Most Expensive City

Mumbai rent is brutal. A 1BHK in a decent western suburb costs ₹35,000-55,000/month. Add to that high commute costs and the general cost of urban life.

**Minimum decent salary:** 10-12 LPA | **Comfortable salary:** 18-25 LPA | **Affluent lifestyle:** 35 LPA+

### Hyderabad & Pune — The Sweet Spot Cities

These cities offer excellent quality of life at a significantly lower cost than Bangalore or Mumbai. A ₹10 LPA salary here provides meaningfully more purchasing power.

**Minimum decent salary:** 5-7 LPA | **Comfortable salary:** 10-15 LPA | **Affluent lifestyle:** 20 LPA+

### Tier-2 Cities (Coimbatore, Jaipur, Lucknow, Indore)

If you're working remotely, relocating to a Tier-2 city transforms your financial life. A ₹10 LPA remote salary in Indore or Coimbatore places you in the top 5-10% of earners in that city.

**Comfortable lifestyle:** 6-8 LPA | **Affluent lifestyle:** 12 LPA+

> "A 'good salary' is less about the absolute number and more about the ratio of your income to your essential expenses. Track your savings rate, not just your CTC."

### The 50-30-20 Rule for Indian Salaries

A healthy financial allocation for salaried Indians: 50% on needs (rent, groceries, utilities, EMIs) | 30% on wants (dining, entertainment, travel, subscriptions) | 20% on savings and investments (SIP, PPF, emergency fund). If you can maintain this split comfortably, your salary is 'good' regardless of the absolute number.

Actionable Tips

Calculate your actual in-hand salary (after PF and tax) before comparing it against living costs. Your CTC and your bank balance are very different numbers.
A 20-30% savings rate is the universal benchmark for financial health. If you can't save this much, you need either a higher salary or lower expenses.
Use CTC Compare to calculate your real monthly take-home before evaluating whether a new offer is a meaningful improvement.

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