Most NPCs would be level 1 to 3. NPCs also tend to have less money than a PC of the same level.
The game isn't about simulating a lowly peasant struggling to survive with his meager earnings. It is about the PCs, who usually have massive amounts of power compared to your average person. Mundane things (like the cost of a loaf of bread) is trivial to them.
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Consider that at level 15 you are the CR equivalent of the Heralds of greater Dieties. It's Fair to say at that level mundane things such as cost of living should be very negligable
There's a number of things at work here.
First off, the economy of the game doesn't make much sense in the first place, let alone when magic becomes involved. The simplest solution is simply to accept this flaw and ignore it.
Second, things do seem cheap because adventurers are filthy rich (if they ever decide to retire, that is, because the things they usually want are obnoxiously expensive too). Most other people struggle to attain and/or maintain such living comforts for their entire lives, if incidental expenditures are included.
Finally, the prices proffered and the quality these provide are standardized for ease of use by the GM. It is very reasonable to assume the wider world does offer a wider range, just like we have in our own world.
There are traits that say you come from a background of poverty, but certainly none that make you stay that way. Can't think of much else that mandates it either, just the monk vow of poverty, which pretty much screws you over.
Think of it like this:
Level 1: part-time job pay, high school or college student
Level 5: 2-year college degree, 5 years of work experience
Level 10: 4+ year college degree, 10 years of experience
Level 15: doctor, lawyer; 15 years of experience
Level 20: CEO and 20 years of experience; pro athlete and 5 years of experience
At every level you get your WBL and it covers the basics: food, lodging, transportation, equipment, entertainment.
The items become better over the levels, from food and basics to more lavish equipment and entertainment.
If you were struggling to pay for food at 8th level, you'd be in a ridiculous grind of a campaign.
With your 8th-level wealth, have you bought a belt/headband, armor, weapon, wands/potions/scrolls? I wouldn't even bother tracking food costs once you have 1000 gp at level 2.
http://www.d20pfsrd.com/gamemastering#Table-Character-Wealth-by-Level
Pretty sure I read somewhere that peasants make about 1sp per day. That might be bogus, though.
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An adventurer's primary source of income is treasure, and his primary purchases are tools and items he needs to continue adventuring—spell components, weapons, magic items, potions, and the like. Yet what about things like food? Rent? Taxes? Bribes? Idle purchases?
You can certainly handle these minor expenditures in detail during play, but tracking every time a PC pays for a room, buys water, or pays a gate tax can swiftly become obnoxious and tiresome. If you're not really into tracking these minor costs of living, you can choose to simply ignore these small payments. A more realistic and easier-to-use method is to have PCs pay a recurring cost of living tax. At the start of every game month, a PC must pay an amount of gold equal to the lifestyle bracket he wishes to live in—if he can't afford his desired bracket, he drops down to the first one he can afford.
Destitute (0 gp/month): The PC is homeless and lives in the wilderness or on the streets. A destitute character must track every purchase, and may need to resort to Survival checks or theft to feed himself.
Poor (3 gp/month): The PC lives in common rooms of taverns, with his parents, or in some other communal situation—this is the lifestyle of most untrained laborers and commoners. He need not track purchases of meals or taxes that cost 1 sp or less.
Average (10 gp/month): The PC lives in his own apartment, small house, or similar location—this is the lifestyle of most trained or skilled experts or warriors. He can secure any nonmagical item worth 1 gp or less from his home in 1d10 minutes, and need not track purchases of common meals or taxes that cost 1 gp or less.
Wealthy (100 gp/month): The PC has a sizable home or a nice suite of rooms in a fine inn. He can secure any nonmagical item worth 5 gp or less from his belongings in his home in 1d10 minutes, and need only track purchases of meals or taxes in excess of 10 gp.
Extravagant (1,000 gp/month): The PC lives in a mansion, castle, or other extravagant home—he might even own the building in question. This is the lifestyle of most aristocrats. He can secure any nonmagical item worth 25 gp or less from his belongings in his home in 1d10 minutes. He need only track purchases of meals or taxes in excess of 100 gp.
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Pretty sure I read somewhere that peasants make about 1sp per day. That might be bogus, though.
That would be hireling rules, in the general item/services section of CRB.
yeah by level 20 your character embodies the wealth and martial power of most nations
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Pretty sure I read somewhere that peasants make about 1sp per day. That might be bogus, though.
Untrained laborers make 1sp per day. Anyone with any training (that is, at least 1 rank in a Craft or Profession skill) makes 1/2 their check result per week, or an average of 1 gp per day (average roll 10, +1 rank, +3 class skill = 14/2= 7).
yeah by level 20 your character embodies the wealth and martial power of most nationsPut of all lvl 8 - lvl 20 adventurer. No inflation occurred.
you misunderstand.
I'm saying the wealth of the player is equal to most nations.