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

I just got my COBRA paperwork and the deadline to decide is close. It has been weighing on me all week. My old employer will not help with the premium.

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.

If you have a planned treatment, COBRA can make sense for a few months. Otherwise look at the marketplace first.