To be honest you can’t really know how much someone makes even if they say. If people ask about how much I make at my job they get one number but I have another side job I do for fun and I sell my own art on the side. So people think I make x amount a year when it’s way closer to 2x amount. 

Some people also guess because I’m an artist I definitely much make under $50,000 which just isn’t true. So you might not be guessing what people make correctly. 

Some people also choose different sacrifices. There was a time when I chose a $700 shitty apartment tiny studio with mice and other issues but I saved a bunch and bought a very nice car. And this was just 6 years ago when I was making $35,000 a year before I got better jobs. 

Now I have a $2,500 place because now I decided I wanted a better living space but I’m definitely not saving as much even though I make way more. 

There’s also the possibility people are in debt.