Whilst there's always more to be said this answer by a deleted user may help. this answer by /u/kieslowskifan they also gave this answer

This answer by /u/Mr_Hadouken

For recommendations there's this answer by /u/DaveyGee16. That thread has other recommendations including one by someone who may or may not be Tom Hanks.

Here's the FAQ for life under communism and the sub book page for Russia

So this is a broad question! There is a lot to say on the subject, but first may I direct you to a few answers I've written that might help situate you a little.

• First, a discussion as to why it's hard to answer a question like this. The Cold War period roughly lasted from 1945 to 1991, so this is more than four decade's worth of Soviet history, and living conditions could vary widely between time, place, and social standing.

• An answer getting into the comparison of Soviet living standards to Western living standards during the Cold War.

• A discussion of how Soviet citizens ate in the Cold War period.

• What you could buy for 800 rubles, with a discussion of how much Soviet citizens earned in the Cold War period.