COBRA costs more than my rent, what did you do? (Austin)

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a marketing coordinator. I would rather hear the honest version than the polite one. My spouse has a chronic condition, so dropping coverage feels risky. Is the decision time really that tight?

I priced both side by side: total yearly cost, doctors in network and the deductible. Marketplace was cheaper for us, but only because our doctors were covered.