contrast that with reality:

https://ssti.org/blog/large-percentage-americans-report-they’re-struggling-make-ends-meet (May 2023)

Almost 40% of American adults report they struggle to make ends meet each month, an increase from 34.4% in 2022 and 26.7% in 2021.

https://usafacts.org/data-projects/housing-costs (May 2023)

50% of renters and 21% of homeowners spend ≥ 30% of their income on housing, while 25% of renters and 9% of homeowners spend ≥ 50% of their income on housing.

https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/research/average-monthly-expenses/ (Sep 2023)

The average US household spends 29% of their income on housing, 15% on transport, 11% on food, 11% on insurance and pensions, 7% on healthcare, and 2% of education

That adds up to around 76% of income spent on necessities.

https://ir.lendingclub.com/news/news-details/2023/LendingClub-and-PYMNTS-Research-Shows-86-of-Consumers-Live-with-One-or-More-People-Yet-Those-Living-with-Only-Partners-or-Spouses-Reap-the-Financial-Benefits/ (July 2023)

In June 2023, 61% of U.S. consumers lived paycheck to paycheck, unchanged from June 2022 — as is the share of those struggling to pay bills (at 21%)

imgur thread where I saw the picture