I am from here. I've never made much money and I've never had too hard time surviving, although I'm good at living frugally.

What do you spend all that money on? Housing is expensive in areas with jobs but beyond that most major expenses can be avoided if you are smart. Food is pretty cheap. Clothes are cheap. Entertainment can be free. I mean I'm not saying there isn't struggle here especially among the poor but to say the average person is barely surviving seems an extreme exaggeration. Especially compared to places where food is not affordable or medical care is not available.