“I’m American, $17,000 in Debt and Can’t Afford Whole Foods,” Evans Recounts

High cost of living in America

Evans explained that she pays $1,600 for a flat without a bedroom, consuming nearly two-thirds of her monthly income.

The U.S. Census Bureau reported in 2025 that median asking rent for unfurnished units exceeded $1,450 nationwide, with urban areas averaging far higher.

She works 50 hours a week yet remains without health insurance, a situation not uncommon as nearly 26 million Americans remain uninsured, according to a KFF study released in 2025.

Her testimony reflects wider public frustration over affordability of housing, healthcare, and wages in major U.S. cities.

Debt and wages in America

Evans stated she carries $17,000 in debt while earning “twenty-some dollars an hour.”

She compared her wages to what she called a “livable wage” of around thirty dollars per hour, a figure consistent with some calculations by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Index in 2025.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported average hourly earnings of $30.10 in August 2025, underscoring the gap between wages and local living costs.

Despite being overqualified, she described limited job opportunities, stating that her employer benefits “hundreds, if not millions, of dollars” from her work while she struggles to survive.

Direct words from Halo Evans

Evans’ viral TikTok video included the following statement, which has been widely shared across platforms:

“I’m an American. I pay $1,600 for a flat that has no bedroom, that’s two-thirds of my income. I’m an American. I work 50 hours a week. I don’t have health insurance. I’m an American. I couldn’t afford to have a child even if I wanted to. I’m $17,000 in debt. I’m an American. My health is declining because I can’t afford eating whole foods, because that’s too expensive for my life. I’m very overqualified for my job, but no one else is hiring. I’m an American. I make my boss hundreds, if not millions, of dollars while I can barely keep myself alive. I’m an American. I have never been out of the state. I have never been on a vacation. I’m an American. I make twenty-some dollars an hour. A livable wage here is like thirty-some, yet I don’t qualify for government assistance whatsoever. On the days I don’t work, I’m so tired, I just sleep all day. I’m an American. My electric bill is so expensive I sit outside in the heat, because I can’t afford to turn the AC on in the damned house. I’m an American, and I fear I’m just an average American. I’m living the American dream.”

Responses from other TikTok users

The video generated thousands of responses, with many viewers affirming similar financial struggles across the United States.

One user, Amber, commented: “I have a PhD that I paid for out of pocket, but now I owe $120,000 in student debt. Even though I’ve paid for 15 years, I’ve never touched my principal. I skip meals so my pets can eat.”

Another commenter added: “I have two jobs and still can’t cover rent. The cost of living here is impossible.”

Other responses pointed to the irony that certain countries labeled as “third world” offered lower living costs compared with urban centers in the United States.

The wider debate on affordability

In 2025, median household income in the United States was reported at $78,000, according to Census Bureau data, while median household debt surpassed $17,500.

Food prices have also risen steadily, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture reporting a 5.2 percent increase in 2024 compared to the year before.

Energy costs remain another significant pressure, with many commenters echoing Evans’ story of sitting outside to avoid high electric bills during summer heatwaves.

The World Bank’s cost-of-living comparisons show that average monthly rent in Lagos, Nigeria, or Manila, Philippines, can be as little as $300, highlighting the disparities between advanced and emerging economies.

“The American dream” in question

Evans concluded her video stating she fears she is “just an average American” and that she is “living the American dream.”

The phrase has since been used across social media as a critique of modern economic pressures in the United States.

For many, her video symbolizes the contrast between the traditional idea of opportunity and the present reality of rising costs and stagnant wages.