One thing people don't notice on the famous "cost of living" chart is the little line labeled "Average Hourly Wages". Anything below that line, including housing and food, actually got MORE affordable since 2000. (Housing got less affordable in SOME cities, but not nationally.)

The other thing they don't notice is that the line for "college" doesn't include the cost of financial aid. The real increase was only half of the amount you see on the chart.