Work Reform

Great Lakes rust belt. Okay well maybe rent is actually $2200 and utilities are $450, but the others aren't too far off if you put in the work to find deals. So maybe those figures were circa 2009. That only leaves you what, $1k in debt each month with zero spending money? Not so bad for one of the most affordable major urbanized regions, right? /s

I'm in a major city with lots of tech companies and getting unaffordable every year. Having said that, utilities, phone, and internet are doable, BUT with caveats:

• You can still find a $1200 1-BR apartment, but it might not be in a great area in the city. So I agree this is not ideal even though it's possible.

• You can spend less than $100 on electricity and water in a 1-bedroom apartment because the utility provider is regulated. Once you get out of their coverage (outside city limits), it gets expensive pretty quick. My monthly bill back when I was living in an apartment was around $60-$70.

• Fiber internet (500 Mbps) can be as low as $30-$45. You just have to keep calling every renewal either to ask for a promo rate, or threaten to switch so they offer to get you back to the introductory price. I hate that it has to be like this, but it's possible.

• A pre-paid carrier like Mint or US Mobile can cost as low as $15 a month, but you'll have limited data. If you don't really need much internet while out and about, then it won't really be much of an issue.

Transportation is definitely the problem, and $300 a month won't cut it. Public transpo barely exists and you'll likely have a car payment and insurance, which will eat up your monthly budget. And yeah, $350 for food isn't enough anymore.

Hampton Roads, VA. I'm in Newport News. $1375 for a two bedroom apartment, although water/sewer is nearly $200/mo and electric is around that as well. We're barely scraping by.

This isn't in any way a defence of low wages, but phone, internet, and food can all be had for cheaper depending on location, and if public transportation or close walking proximity to resources and employment are available, that can be significantly less too.

That still leaves too little extra to do any activities that cost money, survive an emergency situation, or save for retirement.

I live in a suburb of a large city. These might be higher since it's me, gf, and kid. Rent with all included fees: 1850

Utilities(basically just electric): 200-400 per month depending on weather

Phone : 40 per month(had to buy phone out of pocket first)

Food: 400-600 recently with only groceries no eating out

Transportation(gas for car): 100 minimum

Car insurance: 275 (no tickets, 1 accident 4 years ago but I was found 0% at fault)

Car payment: 350 (paid off next month)

Total(check my math I did it in my head) 3250 per month for essentials

I live in a decent sized city in the US and I would say the only thing low might be transportation. Rent here can be lower, so they would offset.