I could've bought a house for $20k a few miles from my school. Rust belt.

Yep this place was around $60k for a big three story victorian in a crappy little town (former rail road hub between Indianapolis in Chicago). 4 big bedrooms, 2 small ones and 3 bathrooms.

Rent back in 1991 in the college town was around $600 per person and up... we made out like bandits but we did have to share cars.