Cost of living has risen dramatically everywhere. Unless you live in a small town in a poor state like I do then 85K sounds pretty bad. That's barely above the poverty line at this point.
I do not make a ton more than that, and I live in the downtown area of the largest city in my southern state. I still am able to save about 30%-40% of my gross income every year, pay my bills, etc..
I think too many people just have poor spending habits (or children).
The median household income in the US is like 83K, which means half of all households survive with less than that. And most households have two earners.
Even New York City has a median household income of ~80K. Half of all households in NYC survive on that.
I think too many people just have poor spending habits (or children).