YOUR STORY: Rental demands put pressure on living costs

THE high cost of renting a house on the Sunshine Coast is leaving some residents with as little as $10 a day to survive on.

Some Sunshine Coast Daily readers say it isn't the cost of items such as food and petrol that's the problem, it's the hike in home rentals.

THE high cost of renting a house on the Sunshine Coast is leaving some residents with as little as $10 a day to survive on.

The shocking figures released by the Salvation Army as part of its Economic and Social Impact study sure had the Coast talking. 

We asked readers whether they were feeling the building pressures on living costs. 

And rental increases and supply and demand in the housing market were a hot topic on conversation on our Facebook page. 

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The survey found that couples with no children on Newstart Allowance had just $9.57 a day to live off after accommodation expenses had been paid.

This money needs to cover expenses such as food, health, medical, clothing, education, entertainment and utility costs.

Here's your thoughts on the rising cost of living and rental price hikes:

Jimmy Haffenden-Carr: We've just had our tenancy increased $80 a month and in six months up another $80!!! How can people get away with it?! We are now stuck in making budget decisions for our family, based on a $160 a month rent increase!  As a family of 5, half my wages are put towards dead rent money and the goal of owning our own home dwindles away....

Lauren Bennett: The real problem here is wages. Sunshine Coast the salary is far less than the city. Moving from Brisbane this is something I've found out. Whilst house prices increase and rates increase making rent increase salary remains the same. It's not a perfect world and for most people life doesn't come easy. And my mortgage repayment is more than my rent was .. so don't think that landlords are all sitting pretty as I know of several who are just getting enough to cover their overheads

.Kristy Dilgee:Because there aren't enough rentals so they can charge what they like. Supply and demand problem.

Kimberley Emm: And it is why people actually move away. It was my home growing up bu the lack of opportunity pushes many out and into the bigger cities. Seriously, it's common sense. If you can't afford to live somewhere. Move somewhere else. With work. And cheaper rentals. It's not rocket science.

Letty Dickens: People complain about the cost of living yet have a gym membership and foxtel. Learn to live to a budget and live in an area you can afford. Whats that saying...living a champagne lifestyle on a beer budget.