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> You can not just compare raw figures. You have to take into account other expenses such as housing

True. Which is why rates in the UK comparatively are even worse. London is one of the most expensive places in the world. I can't imagine how one could even survive there with some of the salaries quoted here.

It's about market culture.

US companies tend to build products so developer wages have high returns and wages might be higer.

European companies tend to sell software development services to third parties. Services are expenses without associated income and companies tend keep their operational expenditure (opex) under control...

Agreed most of jobs are to support a business, not the business itself.

Both salaries are before tax, and house prices are sky high in London.

apart from a few hot spots like the bay area housing and living costs in the US are very low compared to most of the developed world.