Europeans can't afford the US anymore (2024)

  • Economy
  • United States

Boosted by growth, prices and wages have taken off in the US. The gap with European living standards has never been wider.

ByArnaud Leparmentier(New York (United States) correspondent)

Published on April 29, 2024, at 9:00 pm (Paris)

10 min read

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Europeans can't afford the US anymore (1)

When Elias Chedid moved to San Francisco, California, in 2017, he was quite happy to double his salary compared to what he was earning in France. "I accepted an offer at $85,000. I thought it was good. In reality, I'd been had," said this young graduate of the HEC business school and mathematician. In the meantime, this data scientist has changed jobs several times, moved to New York and now earns almost $400,000 a year, including bonus shares.

"In France, I could never have seen my salary quadruple. The opportunities are fantastic," he said. "When I come back to Paris, I feel like I'm super-rich. When I go out with my friends, I pay the bill. It costs me the price of a meal for two in New York." This diagnosis is shared by Americans, who dream of sun in Europe, much like the French who retire in Marrakech, Morocco. One example of this is a report by TV channel CNBC, which on April 21 touted cheap retirement in France and Italy on its website: "You can buy a home in France or Italy for 'the price of a new truck,'" was the headline of the article, which featured an interview with Tommy Sikes, an American developer. "I started discovering these incredible properties that were for sale in smaller towns and villages for $50,000, $75,000, $100,000," he told CNBC, asserting that "the cost of living is literally 50%."

The reason for this is the massive retreat of French and European economies compared to that of the United States. The comparison with 2016 is edifying. That year had the advantage of being relatively uncontroversial, with the euro trading at $1.15 (versus $1.07 today), and the after-effects of the financial crisis and the euro had been overcome by the end of Barack Obama's presidency. The evolution shows that Donald Trump's presidency, followed by that of Joe Biden, has been marked by an economic acceleration reminiscent of the golden age of corporations, the "Gilded Age" of the late 19th century, with the triumph of John Davison Rockefeller, Andrew Carnegie, Thomas Edison, J. P. Morgan and the "Roaring Twenties," the 1920s of economic frenzy, inward-looking attitudes and institutionalized racism.

Read more Subscribers only US employment soars even higher than expected following economic growth

The figures are dizzying. There's no denying the somewhat unimaginable market capitalizations, starting with Microsoft ($3 trillion). Profits in 2023 are edifying: $94 billion for Apple, $72 billion for Microsoft, $61 billion for Alphabet, $55 billion for ExxonMobil and JP Morgan, and $40 billion for Meta.

'Takeoff'

Americans are getting richer too. In 2016, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita was $38,350 for France and $58,180 for the US, according to data from the International Monetary Fund, a 50% gap. By 2023, the figures had risen to $47,360 and $85,370, an abysmal gap of 80%. Adjusted for purchasing power parities (PPPs), which provide a better measure of living standards, these figures show that the gap has jumped from 30% to 40%.

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Europeans can't afford the US anymore (2024)

FAQs

Is it cheaper to live in the US than Europe? ›

Europe is cheaper than the U.S. based on variables such as prices of goods and services, exchange rates, and market conditions. Being savvy and knowledgeable about local customs, price patterns, and international financial matters can help a visitor maximize the advantages.

Why do Europeans want to come to America? ›

Historians generally recognize three motives for European exploration and colonization in the New World: God, gold, and glory.

Which European country has the highest quality of life? ›

Life Satisfaction in European Countries
  • Switzerland has the highest overall life satisfaction in 2022.
  • Life Satisfaction by Age.
May 15, 2024

What is the most expensive state in Europe? ›

1- Switzerland

The cost of living in Switzerland is high, the anticipated monthly expenses for a family of four are CHF 7,078 and CHF 4,190 for an individual. These figures are not surprising given the country's reputation for being one of the most expensive in Western Europe and the world.

What is the cheapest country to live in? ›

These Are the 10 Cheapest Countries to Move to If You're Ready to Leave the U.S.
  • Costa Rica. ...
  • Mexico. ...
  • Panama. ...
  • Vietnam. ...
  • Malaysia. ...
  • Thailand. ...
  • Greece. ...
  • Ecuador. You'll spend just $600 for a comfortable apartment in Ecuador, where you'll also get to use the U.S. dollar.
May 9, 2024

What is the most affordable European country to live in? ›

Some of the best and cheapest countries to live in Europe
  1. Croatia 🇭🇷 Croatia's quickly becoming a go-to spot for expats who want to live in a country with an interesting cultural heritage, beautiful beaches, and a laid-back style of living. ...
  2. Estonia 🇪🇪 ...
  3. Spain 🇪🇸 ...
  4. Hungary 🇭🇺 ...
  5. Montenegro 🇲🇪

What European country immigrated to America the most? ›

Between 1820 and 1957, of the approximate 41 million migrants to the US, over 34 million of these came from Europe. The most commonly documented countries of origin during this time were Germany (6.6 million), Italy (4.9 million), Ireland (4.6 million), Great Britain (4.5 million), and Russia (3.4 million).

What percent of the US population is European? ›

White and European Americans. People of European descent, or White Americans (also referred to as European Americans and Caucasian Americans), constitute the majority of the 331 million people living in the United States, with 191,697,647 people or 57.8% of the population in the 2020 United States census.

Do a lot of Americans move to Europe? ›

Americans are moving to Europe in ever-increasing numbers, often because they believe that a better balance between work and lifestyle may be available in European countries.

What is the safest country in the world? ›

Profiles of the World's 10 Safest Countries
  1. Iceland. According to the Global Peace Index, Iceland is the safest country in the world for the 14th year in a row. ...
  2. New Zealand. New Zealand is the second-safest country in the world. ...
  3. Ireland. ...
  4. Denmark. ...
  5. Austria. ...
  6. Portugal. ...
  7. Slovenia. ...
  8. Czech Republic.

What is the kindest country in Europe? ›

Ireland. With Ireland topping the poll as the most friendly country in Europe and Dublin making the list for the friendliest city in Europe and the entire world, it's clear that the Irish are a genuinely welcoming bunch.

Who has the best life in the world? ›

Top 10 Countries with the Highest Quality of Life - U.S. News Best Countries Report 2023
CountryQoL US News
Canada1
Denmark2
Sweden3
Norway4
6 more rows

Is it cheaper to live in Europe or the US? ›

How Cost of Living in Each State Compares to European Countries – 2023 Study. While the Euro has long been more valuable than the American dollar, the cost of living in the United States is significantly higher than across Europe on average.

What is the poorest state in Europe? ›

  • 1- Ukraine. Ukraine is currently facing significant economic challenges that have contributed to its status as the poorest country in Europe in 2024. ...
  • 2- Moldova. Moldova is currently the second poorest country in Europe as of 2024. ...
  • 3- North Macedonia. ...
  • 4- Albania. ...
  • 5- Belarus. ...
  • 6-Bosnia and Herzegovina. ...
  • 7- Serbia. ...
  • 8- Montenegro.
May 4, 2024

Is food more expensive in Europe than America? ›

Many foods are less expensive in the United States than in the wealthier countries of the EU, but food is somewhat more expensive in the United States than in the less wealthy countries of the EU.

Is it worth moving to Europe from the USA? ›

Is living in Europe better than living in the US? With every country, there are advantages and disadvantages. Most Americans choose to move to Europe to experience a more relaxed way of life and enjoy better health care, a higher standard of living, cheaper real estate, and more security.

Is food cheaper in the US or Europe? ›

Many foods are less expensive in the United States than in the wealthier countries of the EU, but food is somewhat more expensive in the United States than in the less wealthy countries of the EU.

Can I live in Europe as a US citizen? ›

A U.S. citizen with a dream of retiring in France may know that Americans are allowed to spend up to 90 days in the Schengen area. However, U.S. retirees wanting to live in Europe long-term require a visa, and all long-term visa options have some sort of minimum income requirements.

What is the easiest European country to live in as an American? ›

Portugal, Greece, and Germany are the easiest European countries to move to from the USA thanks to their golden visa programs that can potentially lead to citizenship.

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