I think it has more to do with the fact that if you're young, unmarried, with no dependents, you don't need much more than a studio or 1br apartment. You don't

I think it has more to do with the fact that if you're young, unmarried, with no dependents, you don't need much more than a studio or 1br apartment. You don't need to be zoned to decent schools or pay for private school and day care. You don't need a vehicle suitable for family trips (or, in some cases, you may not need a vehicle at all). Consequently, if you have a high-paying job, you have a lot more breathing room to pay more on rent.