$54,000 a year in Austin.
It really sounds like more of a "guy sucks with money" problem than anything else.
$54,000 / 12 = $4,500 a month.
No more than 1/3rd of your income to rent, so $4,500/3 = $1,500 a month rent.
https://www.apartments.com/marquis-at-barton-trails-austin-tx/evn7ezp/
$1,219, $1,239, $1,339, $1,359, $1,389, $1,399.
This is all do-able on his income.