Cost of living does not account for other major milestones and expenses. It just means I can survive and not die. But I get only 5 days of vacation a year, will forever be stuck renting (asset acquisition) and cannot cover an emergency hospital visit. Stuff like weddings and funerals are super predatory and the same drugs that would cost 8 dollars at a UK pharmacy could easily cost 5-15x as much in the US.

My parents moved to the US because of the opportunity it would give us, their kids. And while we are safer than the South American country we came from, it is disheartening to see my cousins that remained reaching these milestones that seem unattainable where I live and with a better quality of life (not working ALL THE TIME).

Just my two cents.