As a matter of fact, for me, it would be barely "break even money". (I live in one of the most expensive places to live, "The OC" Southern California, USA).
I'm just generalising here using your quote as an example, but if somebody chooses to live somewhere they really can't afford to live, then whinges that the money they're making is not enough to fund their desired lifestyle, what would you suppose the solution to the problem would be?
Make a career change? Or maybe get your head out