I did $55k USD/year in SF recently. I had great healthcare as part of my job. After rent/expenses I didn't really save any money, but my experienced was prepari

I did $55k USD/year in SF recently. I had great healthcare as part of my job. After rent/expenses I didn't really save any money, but my experienced was preparing me to have a substantive private sector salary after a few years. I could have cut it down to 40k/year somewhat easily, if I also went for a long commute and gave up some luxuries like eating out. Below 40k I would have had to learned some more serious frugality tricks.