What’s sick are rental payments. We have always lived in modest homes with reasonable mortgage payments. I’ve refinanced a couple times over the years when rates were low. We’re currently in a 15 year at 2.4%. Our payment is about $1,000 a month including escrow and insurance.
Our kids all rent and their apartment rental is $900 - $1200 each. Weirdly the one with by far the highest income has by far the lowest rent. Two of them are about 30% of annual income going to rent. It’s a bit above what it should be but they have no other debt so it’s workable.
Rents in the new building by me are starting at 2 grand and up.