Hell no wages aren't catching up, even getting a 50% increase in salary (with considerable effort on my part i might add) i realize that most expenses have gone up 20-40%. Rent was 1400, now its 1850. Renters insurance was about $130, just yesterday i paid $230. Houses that were selling for 500k near my house have gone to 800-900k. Even after working my ass off to get a higher paying job, i feel no richer than i did when i had my last job, i can't even imagine what people who haven't gotten raises are feeling.