Because a lot of things are very expensive in the US compared to other countries (eg. healthcare, school / college education, defense, public infrastructure etc

Because a lot of things are very expensive in the US compared to other countries (eg. healthcare, school / college education, defense, public infrastructure etc). Basically, any time you see articles complaining about runaway costs about anything in the US, see where that money goes. While some of it goes to shareholders of those companies, a significant fraction also go towards higher salaries and benefits.