Answer: People are reluctant to live in 2026 the way they did in 1973.

The additional compensation is a statistical artifact that accounts for air conditioning, iPhones, reliable cars that last 20 years, the Internet, etc.

but the unaffordability crisis stems from housing, food, fuel, etc. people aren't struggling because of an iphone they buy every few years, or the $20/month their AC adds to their monthly summer utility bill.

Don't forget the avocado toast.