If I suspend my disbelief and lets say an average American makes more than an average European, is that before expenses or after? Because once we start factoring in rent, healthcare, cost of food or any other cost of living. Then is it of comparable quality? I know as far as healthcare goes it's a far lower standard that costs far more, the level of stress is far higher, the working hours are far longer.

So even if they are making more money, I don't feel like it adds to their wealth or their lifestyle, which was kind of the point of making more money isn't it?