[runako]

Right -- the $1,800 was inclusive of property taxes and insurance ("all-in"). And again -- there are great houses available for under half that ($900/mo all-in).

(Random nitpick: if you're earning the median income, paying a mortgage while contributing to retirement; and have 2 kids, you are not paying anything close to 30% of your income in income taxes.)

Also you are right that if you save ~30% of your median income ($500 + 10% savings + 10% retirement), the month-to-month gets a little tighter. But then you can retire early. :-)

I'm not arguing that everything is roses, just that tens of millions of people live at the median income and own houses, cars, etc.

You'd have done much better here arguing about the costs of childcare or higher education. Those are a bloodbath, no matter where you are.