In Canada I was able to live on 28 000-32000 as a single adult. It was shared accommodation, and during that time 4 years or so I was able to save $12 000 or so, enough to put a down payment on a rental property. Two years after that period of time with an income in the mid 30s, I was able to save another $12 000 for a down payment for a condo for me.
The numbers of course do not reflect that I had medical and dental benefits from my job, that many may not get, I also did not have to pay huge amounts for health insurance ( being in Canada). Excluding health care, the part of Canada I live in the cost of living is far more expensive then most areas of the US (major costal cities excepted).
It can be done but you are not living well, you are not going out to eat, or buying a new cell phone every year etc. You have to cut your monthly fixed costs down to the bare minimum. One phone, most likely a land line, I would suggest no cable, and no internet if the public library has it available, a cheap car that was paid for in cash, and basic car insurance, if public transport is an option use that instead