Strangely, two people who each earn a high income may find it harder to move within the US, yet they may also find it easier to move outside the US, relative to

Strangely, two people who each earn a high income may find it harder to move within the US, yet they may also find it easier to move outside the US, relative to two-income couples with a larger wage gap. This is because many countries offer work visas for "high skilled" or "in demand" jobs and require each person to qualify independently. So while a programmer and a cook may find it relatively easy to move between cities or states, the lower-earning partner would be denied the right to work in some other countries. Whether that makes economic sense for those other countries I am not sure. It does make some political sense: the high-earning locals can find work anywhere, but low-earning ones are more likely going to stay in their own country, where they would prefer not to compete with foreigners. Not every country works this way; the UK for example grants many spouses and partners the right to work (but read about their new "12 month cooling off period" before you apply!).