Seems like it’s a well known fact that being poor or even middle class (if that will even exist anymore) in the US disposes one to a very low quality of life (e.g., living in areas with higher crime rates, bad healthcare, the most obvious being cost of living, …etc)
On the flip side, what are some reasons why the top 1-5% percentile would also want to leave the US? (e.g., taxes/financial benefits, no longer aligning with the culture? I would assume mainly the former)
If you are in the top 1-5%, is living in the US still the best place to live? (as many people would like to suggest)
Literally that’s the stats - France top 1% income at 7.1k euro per month vs the US at 400k per year. And the top 10% in France is 44k (40k euros link) while in the US it’s some 170k (link)
When comparing upper middle class (1-10% income - doctors, lawyers, engineers, mid career business people), Americans earn much more than Europeans which is why it attracts talent from many of those countries. Median income is around the same you’re right. And being lower income is harder in the US with limited social programs.
I live in France and I personally know 4k+ net is considered top 10% (gross per year is about ~100k EUR). I think that 7k value in your source is net meaning the gross value per year is not 80k, but rather 140-150k.
Still a huge difference from the USA, I won’t argue that. But no, someone earning 80k a year gross in France (which is what you’re saying comparing to 400k USD) is not in the top 1%. I guarantee it.