Where I live in Australia isn't doing too well either unfortunately. The cost of living is getting very high. Fuel prices are pretty high too. Down south they pay about $1.44 AUD per litre for fuel, where I live it's about $1.67 AUD a litre. Makes a difference.
The cost of power/water was increased by +30% at end of last year due to a change of government. However, after a bit of an uproar plus a change in leadership, that raise has decreased... what they're planning to do instead though is to increase the price of power/water up to +30%, but over a few year period... that's not as bad but still, it is going up.
Down south in cities like Brisbane, a decent house (two bed room, two bath room, garage etc) is about $350,000... where as up here, you'll be lucky to get a one bed room, one bathroom apartment (like a hotel room, I'm not joking) for about $450,000. I don't get paid very much sadly so I can't afford a loan like what, where I could afford a loan for $350,000 for sure.
Where I live isn't the only place in Australia like this though, there are other cities going through similar ordeals.