Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
Jun 11th 2013, 4:17 pm
#46
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
Really? Mine is significantly lower than I would pay in the UK ...... I tried to calculate it and reckon I'm about 10-15% better off when including healthcare premiums etc (but not co pays and out of pocket costs) from a purely tax comparison perspective (so total paycheck deductions incl NI/SSN etc). ......
Jun 11th 2013, 4:22 pm
#47
SUPER MODERATOR
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 88,017
Re: Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
As mentioned hard to compare the two, you can get a lot of land for far less money in the U.S. hence why 'celebrities' can buy these massive homes on large estates for $3,000,000 which when compared to the UK, and currency is converted would buy you a nice house in London but not nearly on the same scale. Then again, the healthcare and school system are on polar opposites, it depends what you require more of.
Jun 11th 2013, 6:57 pm
#51
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
Exactly - unnamed place and unnamed 'celebrity' - pointless comparison.
Jun 11th 2013, 7:16 pm
#52
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
You're married. I am not. I would be $6k p.a better off if I were married. My salary is 100k+ for reference, not sure how that compares with yours, but potentially I fall into either lower or higher tax brackets than you which again would affect the net pay.
Jun 11th 2013, 7:22 pm
#53
Joined: Dec 2001
Location: Dixie, ex UK
Posts: 52,439
Re: Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
Jun 11th 2013, 7:30 pm
#56
Banned
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 5,154
Re: Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
Hah! Fair comment :-)
Jun 11th 2013, 7:31 pm
#57
Rootbeeraholic
Joined: Aug 2009
Location: Houston, Tx
Posts: 2,280
Re: Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
I was kinda thinking out loud as I wrote my post. I guess I had forgotten how much difference being married and having a kid makes (as well as itemized deductions). It's not that I didn't believe you, it's just easy to forget where the tax reductions come from.
Jun 11th 2013, 7:50 pm
#59
Forum Regular
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 98
Re: Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
Some things in the US are more expensive I figure....but....can't think what. Property tax seems to be expensive in some bits of the US, but not FL so much.
And then there is the whole quality of life thing at home. Far better than the UK. Can't wait to be home again.
Jun 11th 2013, 9:20 pm
#60
BE Site Lead
Joined: Aug 2004
Location: MA, USA
Posts: 92,170
Re: Is the USA actually more expensive than the UK?
I had pretty good QoL in the UK. Over here, not so much.
One thing that generally is cheaper over here in the US though is software and electronic toys, PS4 $400 v 350 squid for example.
