The San Diego Housing Commission states in a fact list that the median household income in SD County is $64K, far short of being able to purchase the median priced home. I remember once reading that a family needs to make $22/hr to afford to live here modestly, in an apartment. Although you make a decent wage, it’s hard to afford living here. You make more than I made after college in my first software job.

Per capita income for San Diego (city) was $35,600 in 2003.

We have the same problem with getting ahead. Too much of our income goes to housing. The only way to get ahead financially is spending less than you earn. The major impediment to that is the high cost of housing.