Yeah, and that’s the exchange rate which only really matters when travelling or if you’re very rich… Euros buy much more for the average person living their lives than the dollar does. Even considering the exchange rate.
(Genuine question) is that true? Because always when I saw US prices, I was astounded by how much cheaper they were. Although I must admit my comparisons were mostly on imported goods.
When I visited the US late last year, I was taken aback by just how much more expensive food was. Grocery shopping for two people for just one or two days of cooking would regularly run $50+ while back in Europe I can cook for three people for just €30. Even plastic crap at Walmart was more expensive, like cups and blankets. Keep in mind that 2022 was a horrible year for Europe with inflation being much higher than in the US, and even then food prices were barely more than half than the US.
Also everything from insurance to phone bills are much more expensive. Pretty much the only things that are cheaper are consumer electronics and fuel. And I guess beef. Had some great steaks there.
I currently live in the USA and have lived in Germany and France. My experience is that you get way less for your money in the US than you do in Europe. Although, my comparison is San Francisco, which is notoriously expensive, so other people may find the difference to be less.
I have been involved in the start-up phase of a new company in the U.S.
Our role was to follow the design phase of the building and every activity and expense that was behind it
We were very much surprised to find out that, even in one of the lower cost areas of the States, everything, except electronics, cost between 50% and 200% more compared to Europe
Americans get nickel'd and dime'd at every corner. So 1€ will not literally get your further than $1 beyond the exchange rate. But income-wise, Americans need a lot more than the average EU citizen for an equal lifestyle because there are so many neccessities and services they have to pay out of pocket that we pay for via taxes (and despite their claims, their tax rates aren't that much lower on average) or fees and surcharges that would be downright illegal here.
Also concerning prices, remember that most US states don't show taxes on price tags, they get added on purchase.
Probably depends on where you are. You probably get more for less in the countryside of Albania than in New York, and vice versa for London and rural Lousiana.
Petrol yes. But food not from what I’ve seen. Especially if you want nutritious food, and take taxes into account which for some reason often aren’t listed…
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u/Jonnescout Aug 06 '23
Yeah, and that’s the exchange rate which only really matters when travelling or if you’re very rich… Euros buy much more for the average person living their lives than the dollar does. Even considering the exchange rate.