you make like... $5.30 an hour after tax? Thats about half the UK minimum wage (also after tax).
The US minimum wage (pre-tax) is $6.55/hr, set by the feds. Many states set the minimum wage higher, but many others have minimum wages equal to or less than the federal one (so, of course they pay the federal rate). Just a couple years ago it was $5.15/hr.
If food weren't included in that $375/month, I'd find it pretty reasonable for an apartment (or even a house) with a couple of other people in a moderately-priced area of the US. I spent a lot on food, personally, but I can imagine cutting it down pretty cheap if I absolutely had to. Splitting meal costs with others or eating exclusively fast food would help a lot, too.
I live off of about $13k/yr after tax, as a graduate student, and I can afford significantly more on rent and food. I don't buy as many expensive toys, though!