I kinda of figure what you mean by 'barely-living', is actually worry free living style(good housing, close to workplace, go to decent places for dining/partying) in SF/NYC. And yes, 130k may knock the door for that standard, but not quite there.
But saying 130k is 'barely-living', if not bad wording, is close to insulting, and helps little in the conversation.
But saying 130k is 'barely-living', if not bad wording, is close to insulting, and helps little in the conversation.