Congress reps make $170k. It’s not super wealthy, but certainly possible to afford two rents outright. Not to mention if you sublet/etc since I wouldn’t need to literally stay in two places at once.

I think no matter how much you make, higher salaries always seem so much easier.

People can either budget or can’t, I don’t think it matters the actual amount. I’ve met people who were budgeted and running a family on $30k and people paycheck to paycheck on $300k.