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Even with the stronger safety net, it doesn't make up for the difference compared to the US for well-paid employees (such as engineers, or tech in general). US
by benhurmarcel 6y ago
Even with the stronger safety net, it doesn't make up for the difference compared to the US for well-paid employees (such as engineers, or tech in general). US employees are much more well-off, there's no denying that. US levels for engineers compare more to Swiss level of living.
However the safety net is much more beneficial for less-paid people, at a relatively low cost for them.
I only visited the US so others might be able to provide a more detailed comparison. It seems to me that rent is generally significantly higher in US cities (might be different in lower CoL areas), and groceries and other smaller budgets were slightly higher in France (restaurants, tech purchases, cars…).
- codpiece 6y agoI have worked in the US and Europe, and may give a direct comparison. US healthcare and education consume a vast portion of your pay. We paid cash for our daughter's college (biomedical engineering) at a total of over $300K. That buys her freedom of choice when it comes time to take a job, get an advanced degree, etc. Her colleagues will have more than $500K USD debt hanging over their heads when you factor interest payments. The company pays for a portion of health insurance, but much of the cost is picked up by the employee, either though co-payments or deductibles. We live modestly, drive low-end cars and don't dine out often. We see our European friends taking great vacations and their children bounce in and out of college programs. We see free healthcare, mountain cottages, and other perks unavailable to us.
- benhurmarcel 6y agoInteresting, thank you. It seems the calculation becomes very different when you factor in the cost of a child (especially if he goes to college).