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

I just got my COBRA paperwork and the deadline to decide is close. This is my first time dealing with any of this. My old employer will not help with the premium. Did anyone switch mid-year?

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.