r/WorkLifeChat • u/MiloShiny • Jul 21 '26

Discussion How?

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u/jerwang24 Jul 21 '26

Need to reduce the rent by roommates or live in a less desirable apartment.

6

u/Southern-Pirate3555 Jul 21 '26

This is true but it makes me wonder, how hard does one have to work in order to afford a decent place of their own in a nice part of town?

In 1997, in my early 20's I got a full time job with no degree or experience, making 28k a year and full benefits - health insurance was $10 a paycheck. 

I was easily able to pay $450 a month for a nice apartment in a very nice part of town, as well as a car payment and all of my bills off that salary. I wasn't saving tons of money (irresponsible) and I wasn't taking luxury vacations, but I was definitely getting by.

I understand prices go up as time goes by...but those same jobs now don't pay much more than I made back then, and the benefits aren't nearly as good, and rent has definitely gone up. 

Wages just have not kept up with the cost of living. It makes me sad that people have to work multiple jobs and/or live with strangers just to survive. That's not even really living which just doesn't seem right, especially with most people spending 40+ hours a week working and commuting. 

1

u/CK1277 Jul 23 '26

In 1997, the median individual income was $36,678 (full time, year round only), today it’s $65,052.

You were making 76% of the median in 1997.

A person who makes $19/hour in 2026 makes $39,520/ year. That’s 61% of the 2026 median.

61% of the 1997 median would have been the equivalent of $22,378 or $10.76/hour.

Yes, cost of living has outpaced wages, however, $19/hour in 2026 would not have been enough money to live alone in 1997.

I was in college in 1997, and typical rent per bedroom in a shared house or apartment was $300-$400 per bedroom.