I live on about half of that ($1k/month) just outside Boston, although I do get food stamps and free health care. Fortunately our landlord hasn't raised the rent since we moved in almost 7 years ago, mostly because we take care of the building for him so he never has to come by. We do all the mowing, shoveling, trash, and anything else necessary. So each month I pay $533 for my own bedroom, $120 average for utilities, $50 for my phone, about $50 for transportation, about $100 for weed, around $30 for meals out of the house, maybe $25 for clothes/shoes, $25 for hygiene products, and have about $70 left over for everything else. It's not easy, but I make it work.