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Answer: People are reluctant to live in 2026 the way they did in 1973.

The additional compensation is a statistical artifact that accounts for air conditioning, iPhones, reliable cars that last 20 years, the Internet, etc.

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but the unaffordability crisis stems from housing, food, fuel, etc. people aren't struggling because of an iphone they buy every few years, or the $20/month their AC adds to their monthly summer utility bill.

Don't forget the avocado toast.

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