Delhi vs London: Jasleen Kaur on salary and quality of life

Jasleen Kaur said she would choose a £100,000 salary in London over Rs 50 lakh a year in Delhi, despite being farther from family and the conveniences she knew in the capital.

In an Instagram video responding to the salary comparison, Kaur said she initially found the choice difficult. She recalled having a car, domestic help and quick-delivery services such as Blinkit in Delhi, without needing to rely on public transport.

Her preference for London, she said, rests on factors beyond pay. Kaur cited what she sees as cleaner air, a greater sense of safety, walkability and better work-life balance. She also said she feels less concerned about how she is perceived or what she wears when she goes out.

“London gives me something that I don’t think can be found anywhere in Delhi,” she said.

Kaur described moving abroad as a trade-off rather than an uncomplicated upgrade: less day-to-day comfort and less time with family in exchange for what she considers better health and quality of life.

For Kaur, the decision came down to more than the salary figure: it involved transport, air quality, time with family and her comfort when moving through the city.