My grandmother Luz Figueroa (1923-2016) rented a two-bedroom in the 1940s for $30/mo in MANHATTAN; I didn't believe her until My aunt said they moved in the 1950s/60s next to Central Park near billionaires row!! They were Puerto Rican and poor, so even adjusting for inflation, things were a lot more in reach for the average person.
I was born in the mid-90s, and I now live in Public Housing because the cheapest ROOM, even in the Bronx, is unaffordable, and I don't have a family or inherited generational wealth. Truly making it on your own is nearly impossible these days. Unless, I become a Software Engineer…