> From the start, two bedroom at 80k salary for living alone is already an interesting choice for 2026.

Fair point. That example comes from my research, but trying to anonymize it somewhat I ended up messing it up completely. I ack it doesn't make sense as is. And saying that a job in tech won't be enough to rent a place on your own was stupid too.

> Why US companies in EU have to pay premium -- because they try to behave like in US and pay premium to their delusions of grandeur.

From my perspective they pay more because they actually value skilled employees. (Shocking, isn't it? US companies valuing their people more than European companies do). And hiring the best, in turn, lets them outcompete European business, make more money and compensate their people better -- on and on it goes.

> they try to behave like in US

In reality, save for a rare exception, they treat their employees nicely in both US and EU.

Or at least they used to before we entered the current layoffs era -- but people say big Berlin tech companies have become just as toxic (DeliveryHero, Zalando...). So it doesn't look like European companies are stopped from being toxic by labor law or better ethics.

> Why it's lower in general -- because the cost of living is lower

That's not the whole story though. Obviously comparing absolute numbers is a fool's errand. But the purchasing power is significantly lower too. And, like, OK, maybe matching US salaries purchasing power isn't realistic -- but my feeling is current EU comps are below a fair level. Companies pay that simply because they can get away with it.

> Grind some in US (if you are of acceptable skin color for them), then go and chill here once you are done with the grind.

That's not a bad idea at all. I'm good though. Found my way and am doing fine for now and, hopefully, long-term too.

It just pains me to watch so much wasted potential. Yeah, it's none of my business and it's dumb that a non-EU citizen even has strong opinions about this stuff. But EU could do so much better if only it got its shit together instead of this pathetic "but we got public transport" style coping.

>Companies pay that simply because they can get away with it.

Which is usually called "market price". The latest thing I heard is "threemodal market", where there tier 1, is US subsidiaries, tier 2 is local it companies and banks, and tier 3 is a normal not fancy place. Upper tiers are more competitive and tier 1 can have 200k and up compensation packages (that including shares, and stuff), lower end of tier 3 and something like 50-60k. Then there are hourly contracts too.

>But EU could do so much better if only it got its shit together instead of this pathetic "but we got public transport" style coping.

It's a pretty shallow dismissal. Not having to deal with cars and heal insurance bullshit for my whole life saves me how much money exactly? Not even monetary amount, the peace of mind alone. How much would you pay to let you child cycle to school and generally not be afraid of environment?

There is even deeper level of belief to this sometimes, that you being able to afford food delivery or eating out every day isn't a good indication of the state of the society, but I don't want to go there.

I lived in a place with 5% flat tax rates too and I'm here by choice, paying for all that really.