Why is it that now two incomes are needed to get a decent house?

The rate of inflation is going up more rapidly than peoples earnings. A harsh reality methinks :(

Firstly it is because not enough new houses are built which drives the price up. Secondly it is because government regulations at every level drive up the price of houses by mandating various things for 'safety'. Thirdly, because people with two incomes exist, sellers of houses can afford to raise their prices. Fourthly, the housing bubble of yester-decade may have 'popped' - that means that people have difficulty selling houses right now, but doesn't always make sellers lower their prices. Many would rather rent in the meantime and sell when they can make back their investment (if ever). Fifthly, the term 'decent house' is extremely inexact; houses that are considerably more expensive than others tend to seem more decent than those that are cheaper because they are older, smaller or in less desirable areas.

Inflation of cost and inflation of expectation of what is "decent".

It's called inflation.

See this: Inflation:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Inflation

Inflation, and Republican Economics.

This is one of the downsides to purchasing crap from Wal-Mart.

Wal-mart likes thier high profits. The only ways they can do so, is by undercutting competing outlets, and not paying their workers decent wages.

Decent wages translate into one person incomes for a house.