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

I was offered COBRA and the monthly cost is more than I expected as a security officer. There are 7 people counting on me, so I am trying to be careful. My spouse has a chronic condition, so dropping coverage feels risky. How did you decide?

A quick call to the plan's member line cleared up two things for us that the letter did not.

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.