KEY: $$ = Big Bet, BB = Big Blind

I know, it's like trying to compare two 'un-related' things, but if I was beating 10/20 for 1.3-1.5$$/hr over 500hrs/yr with $20k (1000$$) BR during peak Moneymaker effect, and now use $15k (30 BI @ 500 cap) for $22/hr average over 482 hrs in 2017 ($23.something/hr for similar number of hours in 2016), is it reasonable expectation to sustain?

I can't move back to SoCal just for poker, but absence of stable 10/20-like FLH leaves few alternatives. No stud games in local area (minus occassional home game, but this is mixed in with variety of Carnival games [Black Mariah, Chicago, wild cards, blah blah blah]). I don't really understand OE and PLO and tolerate Hold'em because the alternative for me is backgammon, billiards, and golf hustling or $1/pt Pinochle and Cribbage in golf clubhouse back room. 8/16 is available, but the 25% reduction in stakes coupled with increased rake (damn you inflation) and PSJs make its beatability just that much more difficult.

Or do you think potential further rake inflation, Darwinian effect of player pool (players on average keep improving, weaker ones filter out/back down to 1/2 and 1/3) and possible divergence of 3/5 towards both 5/10 and 1/3 make this come to an end?

I read your post twice, but still have trouble understanding what your question is.

If you want to know if games will get tougher in the future, the answer is probably yes unless something significant happens like legalized online poker.

If you want to know if your win rate will allow you to life a good life, that highly depends on your cost of living. Since you ask about California specifically, you are probably aware that the minimum wage will increase to $15/hour by 2022. That means some people have more money to lose at poker but it will also mean that making $20/hour on average playing poker is arguable worse than working at McDonalds for $15/hour.

Ok, I have job which is in the $60-65K/yr range, so poker is just supplemental income or self-supporting hobby. I admit, the extra $8-10K/yr would definitely be missed, but would not mean I have to completely change my lifestyle or standard of living.

I was trying to figure out if trend of games continues it current trajectory, then it seems to me that unless I am willing to look into 5/10 NL or higher, that reversion back to 10/20 FLH (or even 8/16 despite the 25% disparity) offers a lower risk-reward ratio and current BR range supports wider tolerance of variance fluctuations, even if FLH have become tougher as well.

2/5 is often considered entry level for pros, so I think it will continue to get tougher as every cardroom has a bunch of young guys who think it would be awesome to be a professional player. Modern training methods + 6 months of effort can turn any reasonably intelligent adult into a guy you don't want at the table, not necessarily because they will crush you, but because it's going to a tough job to beat enough money out of them to be ahead of the rake.

The lowest stakes of poker will always be filled with fish. Even the guys who think they can play are generally pretty bad. I've logged 500 hours live and there's like one guy there whose game I respect.