SF is complicated because the housing prices are so in flux, but as of a few years ago I was living in SF in a decent place with a single roommate for about ~$2

SF is complicated because the housing prices are so in flux, but as of a few years ago I was living in SF in a decent place with a single roommate for about ~$25k/yr (it's a couple K higher now). I'm still rent-controlled at that place but market rate on that same apartment is roughly double now, and that's far far more than any of my friends are paying (my location is pretty great). So even worst-case (i.e. if I was paying market and chose not to move into a cheaper place), I would be paying maybe $40k? So the long and short of it is, $125k, even before tax, is far more than you need to live in SF for a single person. That isn't to say it's wonderful to have to spend so much on rent, but it's beyond hyperbole to say you need $125k+ to survive.