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> We have more opportunity, but the price of living is unbearable.

The cost of basic groceries & clothing is down dramatically over the last 50 years. The price of housing could be too, but we've decided that it's more important to keep prices rising and supplies limited.

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Cost of healthcare has skyrocketed. As has housing, as you've mentioned. Those are much bigger expenses than groceries and clothing, so those lowered costs are not offsetting the biggest jumps.

Education as well. Healthcare, education, and housing (near a good job) are the tickets to a stable middle class life and they're out of reach for many.

Don't forget, for most parts of the country, a car too. The fourth guy is being limited by his lack of a vehicle.

40 years ago it would be seen as okay to have a middle class family in a 1600-1800 sq. ft. house. Now ostentation requires that it is 4000 sq. ft. with a garage bigger than the childhood home of either homeowner.

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