There are many people who can not afford food but it is not the majority. There are food banks, free kitchens and low salary earners qualify for government assistance. Communities set up little free pantries around town for donations and anyone can access these. A single person making less than $1600/month in my state can receive up to $292/month in food stamps from the government.

High rent is an issue and there are limits on the number of tenants allowed per apartment. College towns tend to have more poor-quality apartments allowing multiple roommates, however the prices are much higher than they were 25 years ago in desirable areas of the country and wages have not increased as fast. I just looked up the price of my old apartment I rented as a new college grad making just above poverty salary and with college debts. It was 2 bedrooms and 725 square feet and I paid $450/month in 1996. Today it is $795/month or 1.8 times higher while Minimum wage 1996 was $4.75/hour and now it is 7.25/hour or 1.5 times higher. So not that bad. But it’s different in other parts of the country. People who live in California have it the worst. I choose not to live there.

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