Cost of living in Milan?

England vs. USA on cost of living?

• Well I am an American living in England (almost 5 years) and I find living here is the most expensive experience that I have ever experienced. The cost of almost everything is almost double what is where I came from in America. Housing, petrol, utilities,tobacco,beer ect. I compared the cost of living in San Antonio, Texas and living in Southeast England and it is far more. The wages here are a joke compared to the cost of living. MY wife and I barely get by on what we earn, this is the first time in my life I have been into an overdraft at the bank. Where I lived in American you could buy a house for around 50,0000 pounds (a fine house) in England the same house would sell for about 200,000 pounds. This is an actual experience rather than a made up answer.

• Answer:

  You are 100% right. My wife is from England. But you must compare apples to apples. i.e. If you live in NY, then move to London, that is a good comparison- London is a bit more expensive. The same would probably be if you moved from Texas to Newcastle. The Southeast UK is very expensive.... Because the UK gov't provides healthcare and subsidizes Public transportation, you must account for these factors. Thus to compare just diposable income, I take net income in the US, then subtract Healthcare costs, subtract 50% cost if you were to take public transport, then subtract Property taxes which are low in the UK. -- This is the comparable US disposable income. Then after comparing the items you cited that are cheaper in the US, it is a no-brainer. FYI- I did find that some items may be cheaper. You can find good Spanish/Italian wines at ASDA for 5Pounds a bottle. The same bottle in the US is $20...Also the tips are expected to be much lower in the UK...You can go to a Pub and drink beer relatively cheaply. In the US lately, the bars have become very expensive, then add the tips to the bartender...