Chartered accountant Paaras Gangwal's recent discussion on X sheds light on the growing disparity between salaries and property prices in Mumbai, India. He highlights a middle-class couple earning a combined annual income of nearly ₹40 lakh (approximately $48,000 USD) who are unable to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment, which costs around ₹3 crore (approximately $360,000 USD). Despite what seems like a strong income, the couple faces significant financial strain due to high living expenses, including taxes, school fees, and existing loan repayments. As a result, they may need 15 to 20 years of disciplined financial planning to save enough for a home. Gangwal compares this situation to New York City, where average incomes are much higher, allowing families to purchase homes within five to six years of their annual earnings. The conversation sparked by Gangwal's observations reveals a consensus among many users that Mumbai's real estate market has become increasingly detached from the earning potential of ordinary professionals, turning homeownership into a long-term financial burden rather than a source of stability.