Hate to break it to you, but this is the new normal. It has been since the pandemic. It doesn't matter who's in office, what the fed says, or whatever financial index you go by. Last check the average rental price in Dallas County was $1500 give or take, and people are willing to pay it. I keep hearing about empty business space being repurposed, such as this, but it's still a business to make money. Sadly, the pay of most people doesn't reflect the cost. I wish I had a better answer for you, that things will swing back, unfortunately cost of living never gets cheaper. It's just another struggle.