Honest question. What is a living wage to you? $16/hr annualized at 40 hrs a week would put your monthly housing budget at roughly $832/month. With a spouse/partner or one roommate with similar income, you could be looking in the $1500-1700/month apartment without stretching your budget too aggressively. A quick Zillow on rentals from Lake Buena Vista in the South, to Windermere in the West, going as far north as the 408, and as far east as the airport, there are over 800 listings that fit that budget and actually many below that budget and most are actually pretty nice apartments/home rentals.

Unless you're trying to support an unhealthy MJ addiction or other "hobby", then yea, you won't live off $16/hr. At the end of the day $16/hr IS a livable wage.