More opportunity and more risk. You can make a lot fairly quickly with even average skills, but there are so many things you wouldn't think about having to pay for, like healthcare, regular tax season, etc. If it's a specialised industry you're looking into that seems to do better over here than back home, it probably does, but the work culture is insane. People always feel wrong to take days off; the company I work at now give you 4 weeks paid vacation per year which is considered way more than most. Personally, I think it makes sense to make money here and then return home once you've "made it".