It doesn't make any sense to compare salaries solely by numbers and without comparing the buying power related to the salary in the given country. Escpascially

It doesn't make any sense to compare salaries solely by numbers and without comparing the buying power related to the salary in the given country. Escpascially (!) not in the EU, since it's so diverse. This is most basic economic understanding. It just does not work out, no matter what you take in account to "justify" the the higher or the lower salary. I live in Austria (big corp) and make 1x € a year. My brother lives in Swizerland (big corp too) and he makes 3x € a year. It's a usualy saying here, that you make around 3 times the money in Switzerland compared to Austria, independently of what you work. BUT: In proportion to buying power and minus cost of living he has just about 1,5x € more money to blow (or to safe). Not 3x AND, he also says quality of life is 10x better in Austria: Do you live to work or work to live? Spoiler: He's moving back to Austria in 1-2 years.