To answer the OP question. Yes. I do think its getting tougher in suburbia.
No, I dont think this is because of higher living costs though. Personally I believe its getting tougher because of the hype and glamour we are all exposed to through the media.
Plasma TV's, New homes built for less etc. Keeping up with "Jones's" has got worse and I think and this has made it seem that things are worse than what they really are.
What im trying to say is, I think we are making it worse for ourself in our own minds, but in fact, living can be soo much easier than we make it.
My partner and I consider ourself doing it "tough" compared to others, but im sure compared to others, we seem to be doing it easy. All comes down to perspective I guess.
Cheers
Mick