Man, I wish I only paid $1200 a month for my one bedroom. I'm not even in or around a major city. I've looked at moving, but similar units are all the same or higher priced. The only way I could get a cheaper apartment is by renting from a slumlord or having a ridiculously long commute and then I'll just be spending whatever money I saved in fuel plus those extra hours spent commuting every week are hours I can't spend doing other things.

$1200 USD barely gets you a studio in most major cities.

With 2br units going for more than $2000, $1200 barely gets you a decent room sharing with roommates.

Even in the cities where rent is cheaper, once you account for the lower incomes it is similarly unaffordable.

it's below the national average price for a one bedroom in any metropolitan area.

if you're paying less than that, consider yourself lucky; unless you're living in bfe.

$1400 where I'm at, and I don't even live in a big city

Depends where you are, there are a few places in the UK you can find that price. In London, that's kinda even a good deal if it's relatively central

NYC $2000/mo for a one bedroom is a pretty average deal.

At least you don't need a car here

Even in Mexico City, unless you sacrifice a bit living in some tricky location.

Quite reasonable for Amsterdam, Berlin and Munich, that I know of off the top of my head. Probably many other capitals in Europe. I checked Rome, Madrid and Barcelona and they seem to be in line as well.