Absolutely absurd. I lived in NYC making well less than that for years and was perfectly comfortable.

The "min wage" of HN seems to be "living better than 98% of everyone else"

Adjusted for inflation? Without (crippling) debt accrual and adequate emergency fund, retirement, etc? Did you have children or childcare expenses? These all knock on that total compensation quickly these days, which is the main argument in this particular thread of replies.

No to kids, yes to everything else (except debt, did have lots of school loans)