I mean, to be fair, even the roommate costs are pretty untenable. For years, it was easy to find a one roommate situation for ~600ish per person and wages were manageable. This was in a desirable enough neighborhood. Now, that same living situation is 1k minimum in an undesirable neighborhood. I see people looking for roommates in a run down 4 bedroom at 800/per person. Yeah, that works for college kids, but most of those people don't want to be living with a 40 year old. It also weirdly doesn't get any better if you move out of the city unless you move into rural Connecticut (or maybe Fall River?).

I honestly have no idea how hourly wage workers do it-- how many bedrooms can you fit into 1 house to lower costs? I have absolutely no idea how middle class single parents do it because you'd need to make close to 6 figures to afford a 2 bedroom and $250/mo utilities.

I can't really fault anyone complaining when it's a lot more than tightening the belt and cutting back.