I knew people in Los Angeles, and Santa Barbara that were paying 66% to 75% of their net salary! They drove around in beat up cars, or didn't own a car at all because insurance was too expensive and couldn't afford the gas or upkeep on the car. Then I knew some that, under the same 66% to 75% rent expense, that rented a 1 bedroom apartment had to find a renter who would share in the rent, so one would live in the bedroom and the other in the living room. And I have a brother in law who lives in Santa Barbara who has neighbors with as many as 3 families in one small 1100 square foot 3 bedroom house! And the combined incomes of all spouses working pays the mortgage but they still don't live well because they all drive beater cars, and these are $650,000 fixer upper homes in Goleta (suburb of Santa Barbara). So just because someone lives in Santa Barbara or wherever doesn't mean they have money.