Got 99 Problems, and This is Definitely One

Here's a little Wednesday morning math problem to brighten your day. If you work 40 hours a week at a minimum wage-paying job in Washington State and make $9.04 an hour, how many jobs do you need to have to afford a two-bedroom apartment in Seattle? Guesses? Answer: 2.3. That's to afford renting a two-bed at about $1,098/month without sacrificing more than 30 percent of your income. You know, so you can do things like buy food, pay for transportation, or who knows, be able to actually save more money than the $3.58 you have collecting dust in an old mason jar. Publicola breaks it down and delivers more of the sad truth, an echo of Jimmy McMillan's political slogan: the rent is too damn high! [Publicola]