But that's not a generalizable like for like comparisons. Yes, cities are more expensive today but they're also not crack induced hellscapes. Crack induced hellscape is obviously an exaggeration but cities were legitimately much worse. Violet crime was 2-3 times higher, pollution was terrible, and they were generally not very nice. It's not a surprise they were cheaper to live in back then.
The houses I grew up in are more affordable today then they were when my parents bought them. Inflation adjusted price is about the same but interest rates were far higher.
I have no idea where you live, but that does not really reflect what's happening in my country (France).
Criminality rates are roughly stables since the 80's (https://www.alternatives-economiques.fr/sites/default/files/...), French cities in the 80's were definitely not ‶crack-induced hellscapes″ (and if they ever were, it's definitely now, just visit Paris or Marseille by night), and safe for pollution, I don't think they were notably worst or better to live in than now.
The houses I grew up in are more affordable today then they were when my parents bought them. Inflation adjusted price is about the same but interest rates were far higher.