New Delhi, June 27 -- A social media post comparing the quality of life in India's biggest metropolitan cities with parts of Southeast Asia has gone viral, prompting a discussion on urban infrastructure, cost of living and work-life balance.

In a LinkedIn post, Manuraaj Garg said he and his wife spend nearly Rs.2 lakh every month to maintain what he described as a "fairly normal life" in Mumbai. He listed routine expenses such as rent, groceries, fuel, Uber rides, house help, gym memberships and occasional meals out, along with a few lakh rupees spent on travel every year.

Despite the high monthly expenditure, Garg said daily life continues to be marked by "long commutes, poor air quality, overcrowded airports, damaged pavements", diffi...