It would be interesting to see what they define as "getting by". Not saying it is easy. It's tough. My guess is that none of those numbers are truly, "just getting by". If that were true, there would be a lot more homeless people because there are lots of people that are "getting by" on a lot less in all of those places.

When you compare rent of $2,000 with a condo payment of what, $3,000? That number definitely includes ownership too, plus some luxuries of life (it may include child care which is a big number and changes everything). That might make sense if ownership is included in "getting by". I think the most difficult part is saving enough for the down payment. IMO, that is the big hurdle for most people that aren't making that or even a little more.