I think the point was, that even if you are a freelance - you still have employ yourself, with all the overhead that implies: running costs, pension, vacation,

I think the point was, that even if you are a freelance - you still have employ yourself, with all the overhead that implies: running costs, pension, vacation, accounting etc. So basically most above-average developers in US (and areas with similar wages / living expenses) would charge at least $100 per hours. Your point about developers in countries with lower living expenses than the US is valid. But that would also depend on the customer being in said country.