What is a realistic budget split for a middle-class family in India?

Short answer
A realistic budget split for a middle-class family in India balances necessities, savings, and a little flexibility. Exact numbers vary, but ranges matter more than perfection.

A Practical Budget Split (Monthly)

This is a commonly workable split for salaried families in cities and towns.

Housing and utilities: 30–35%
This includes rent or home loan EMI, electricity, water, gas, and maintenance. Housing should ideally not cross this range. Agar yeh zyada ho gaya, baaki sab tight ho jaata hai.

Food and groceries: 15–20%
Daily groceries, milk, vegetables, and basic eating out. This is fairly stable but can fluctuate with family size and city.

Transport and commuting: 8–10%
Fuel, public transport, cab usage, or vehicle EMI. Work-from-home households may spend less here.

Education and childcare: 8–12%
School fees, tuition, books, activities. For families with kids, this is a major fixed cost.

Savings and investments: 15–20%
This includes emergency fund, SIPs, RDs, or other long-term savings. Pehle save karo, baad mein spend. This habit makes the biggest difference.

Insurance and healthcare: 5–7%
Health insurance, term insurance, and occasional medical expenses. Often ignored, but very important.

Lifestyle and miscellaneous: 5–10%
Mobile bills, OTT, clothing, small trips, gifts. Yeh part flexible hona chahiye.

What Matters More Than Perfect Percentages

Some months will break this structure. That is normal. The goal is balance, not rigidity. If one area goes up, adjust another temporarily.

Also, debt EMIs should ideally fit inside housing or transport limits. Separate heavy EMIs can distort the whole budget.

Simple Rule to Remember

Needs first. Savings next. Wants last.
Agar savings ho rahi hai aur EMIs manageable hain, budget kaafi sahi track pe hai.

Final Takeaway

There is no one perfect budget. A realistic middle-class budget keeps housing under control, savings consistent, and lifestyle flexible. Thoda discipline, thoda adjustment, and budget naturally work karne lagta hai.