Switzerland and Norway usually have a higher per capita gdp than the US. Most Western European countries are not so dramatically behind the US. But on the other hand, European countries have far less income inequality than the US, and less poverty. Then, not everything is about money. Culture matters a lot when it comes to food.

> Switzerland and Norway usually have a higher per capita gdp than the US

And strong currencies. You don’t get this bias in either, generally.

> on the other hand, European countries have far less income inequality than the US, and less poverty

Irrelevant. I’m not saying one is superior to the other. Just that the median European tourist probably isn’t experiencing any American city or town like the median American who lives there.

This is partly due to tourist effects. But it’s also due to cost. After GDP/capita differentials and FX effects, you’re comparing drastically different worlds. (Same for Americans traveling to Europe and, outside a few pricy capitals, generally finding a cheap, luxurious holiday.)

> Switzerland and Norway usually have a higher per capita gdp than the US.

But lower median disposable income. Europe mostly just poor.