Government statistics may put the average income of a middle class family at around Rs 24,000 a year. There's another, far more limited definition, one that has to do with three Ms-metros (and the two metro wannabes), middle managers, and middle class. HR consultants estimate the average household income for this segment at a respectable Rs 6.3 lakh a year. The similarity between the families ends there, though: Rs 52,500-odd a month can buy you very different things in Delhi and Chennai, in Mumbai and Hyderabad, and in Bangalore and Kolkata.

Bangalore
The Davidas

THE FAMILY: Emmanuel, 42, Head of HR, Volvo India; Nazarene, 33, Lecturer and freelance radio announcer; Esther Larisa, 2 years 9 months; Rakshan Joel, 8 months.

WORK: Emmanuel works around 60-65 hours a week; Nazarene's timings are flexible.

THE HOME: A company-leased accommodation in D'Costa Layout. Three bedrooms and a garage; 3,000 square feet.

CAR: A Maruti Zen for Nazarene and a Qualis for Emmanuel, both owned.

CAR LOAN: Rs 17,000 a month.

SAVINGS: 8-10 per cent of household income.

LARGEST EXPENSE IN 2001: Land for around Rs 9 lakh on which they hope to build a house.

RECENT SPLURGE: The Toyota Qualis (and they're thrilled with it).

PERSPECTIVES: "We are satisfied that we spend our money, time, and abilities fairly well," says Nazarene.

Chennai
The Kuilas

THE FAMILY: Nabhojit, 34 is a manager at a media company; Shalini, 27, is an assistant manager at a telco; Agastya, 9 months.

WORK: Both work around 60 hours a week.

THE HOME: A rented two-bedroom apartment in Anna Nagar. Rent, Rs 7,000 a month.

CARS: A three-year old Maruti 800 on which the loan has been paid. Buying a Fiat Palio in a few weeks.

CAR LOAN: Rs 7,700 a month (for the Palio).

SAVINGS: In excess of Rs 3 lakh a year.

LARGEST EXPENSE IN 2001: A Rs 30,000 holiday to Gangtok.

RECENT SPLURGE: An airconditioner, and a television upgrade.

PERSPECTIVES: "We'd like a large house by the beach with a swimming pool," says Nabhojit. "We could have been on a faster track but that isn't happening because market conditions aren't conducive to growth."

Delhi
The Guptas

THE FAMILY: Amit, 29, is a distribution officer at Nestle India posted at Chandigarh (he comes down to Delhi every weekend); Purnima, 26, is a trainer at American Express, Gurgaon.

WORK: Purnima works around 48 hours a week; Amit, 55 hours.

THE HOME: A rented two bed-room apartment in Moti Bagh. Amit rents a one-bedroom apartment at Chandigarh. Total rent, Rs 10,000 a month.

CARS: A Maruti 800 and a just-acquired Santro LP.

CAR LOAN: Rs 9,000 a month.

SAVINGS: Rs 7,500 each every year in Unit Linked Insurance Plan (ULIP); Rs 60,000 each every year in respective PPF accounts; Rs 70,000 in ICICI Mutual Fund.

LARGEST EXPENSE IN 2001: A Rs 80,000 one-week holiday in Bangkok (they bought a DVD player).

RECENT SPLURGE: Purnima bought Amit a laptop on a recent business visit to the US. Cost, Rs 65,000.

PERSPECTIVES: "There can never be enough money," says Purnima. "We are saving seriously at the moment and plan to emigrate to Canada in a few years."

Hyderabad
The Bhatts

THE FAMILY: Vineet, 37, Senior Quality Analyst, Satyam Computer Services; Raina, 31, teaches at a school; Devesh, 8, in school.

WORK: Vineet puts in 50 hours a week; Raina, 35 hours.

THE HOME: A rented 1,000 square feet two-bedroom apartment in Secunderabad. Rent, Rs 5,000 a month. Looking to buy their own.

CARS: A 2001 Fiat Palio.

CAR LOAN: Rs 6,000 a month.

SAVINGS: Around Rs 1 lakh a year.

LARGEST EXPENSE IN 2001: The Palio.

RECENT SPLURGE: A new computer.

PERSPECTIVES: "My dream is to take my family on a holiday and show them the wonders of the world," says Vineet.

Kolkata
The Chakrabortys

THE FAMILY: Gautam, 38, works for an advertising agency; Raya, 34, teaches at a school; Ayush, 10, in school.

WORK: Gautam works over 50 hours a week; Raya does 30 hours.

THE HOME: They live in their own apartment- a 1,200 square feet 2-bedroom one they bought in Eastern Metropolitan Bypass.

HOME LOAN: Rs 8,000 a month.

CAR: Maruti Zen.

CAR LOAN: Rs 4,100 a month.

SAVINGS: Nothing substantial.

LARGEST EXPENSE IN 2001: A South-East Asian holiday.

RECENT SPLURGE: None.

PERSPECTIVES: "When my salary touched Rs 40,000

I thought I could live with it," says Gautam, "but the EMIs on the car and the house drain my resources."

Mumbai
The Bharatiyas

THE FAMILY: Tushar, 30, is an assistant manager at Tata Internet Services; Vasundhara, 30, is a part-time arts and crafts instructor; Meher, 3 years and 3 months, will start nursery this year.

WORK: Tushar works up to 50 hours a week; Vasundhara clocks 20 hours.

THE HOME: A 2-bedroom, 1,000 square feet apartment in Kandivali, but looking to move to one closer to Tushar's workplace (if it fits their budget).

HOME LOAN: The apartment belongs to Tushar's father who lives in Ahmedabad.

CAR: A 1999 Indica; looking to upgrade.

CAR LOAN: Pre-paid in January 2002.

SAVINGS: Between 20 per cent and 25 per cent of income.

LARGEST EXPENSE IN 2001: Rs 35,000 on a 450-litre refrigerator.

RECENT SPLURGE: A Rs 25,000 holiday to Rajasthan.

PERSPECTIVES: "The economic situation of the country has an effect on job stability and adds to uncertainties if one is planning a major investment, like a house," says Vasundhara.