[random_visitor]

Median income lifestyle in first world country does not equate to median lifestyle in say India or Brazil.

For example, In India, fresh out of college students earn ~$6k/yr in TCS and similar companies. They make ends meet by pinching pennies. At the same time the median household income is ~$3.6k, that's what a household of a hardworking physical labourer would make and the conditions they live in aren't pretty.

I don't think it's outlandish at all for someone from a similar country to target $1k/mo. Heck, it may not even be enough if he has a family he wants to give a comfortable life.

[skinnymuch]

OP signaled $1.5K though as well. 50% higher than $1K. Same difference or bigger than your examples in difference alone.