I'm in a cheap rent city with abundant housing and am still paying more at about $1850 months now

That's not a cheap rent city. You're in a higher priced area. My area is a lower cost of living area. Rent is under $1,000/mo unless you want to live in a luxury high rise by the water.

another $180 for phone and Internet

I pay $80/mo for Internet on one of the higher plans and $45/mo for a cell phone plan. Total $125/mo. How is yours so much higher?

definitely feel like I should be saving more per month than I am but actually don't know where it goes.

This is where tracking your income and making a budget comes in.