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> I don't understand how $180k was enough in San Francisco at any time in the last 15 years

Inflation. $180k in 2010 USD is just shy of $300k in 2026 USD.

It was enough for a single person in a good studio or middling 1BR with no kids, probably no car, and no desire to own property.

At some point the idea of working for $AI in SF just to enrich landlords and have a lifestyle that (at least materialistically) is greatly outclassed by some rural cashier at Walmart (3 bedroom house, family, car) needs to be thought about.

I was single, living alone (+ 2 cats, if they count) in a one bedroom apartment in North Beach 15 years ago on a $90k/year salary. I even had a parking space and a car!

I can understand how people did it then - I was one of them - but I don't understand how they would do it now.

I guess you could rent something small. But could you afford a mortgage with $180,000 back then?