The ‘cliff effect’: Getting poorer while working harder

For example, the US on average is twice as poor as the average person in China in terms of housing cost. On average China spends 8% of their take home wage on housing, thanks 0 property taxes and super low cost of building, compared to 22% US average. Avg condo size is slightly larger in the US about 15%. And yes the vast majority of housing in China has electricity, sewage and wayer

However the US is very food rich. Only 13% of us consumer spending is needed for food, as opposed to 35% in China and even more in 3rd world countries

Sure developed countries can afford much more cell phones and merchandise but the necessities of life are housing health insurance and education

In the case of New York State I do better when my income is less in that I can get a health plan called "The Essential Plan" where I pay $25 for a psychological visit, $50 to see a dietician, etc.

If I make more money I can get a high deductible plan where those things cost me about $200 each. If I don't want a high deductible plan on the Obamacare market I have to pay the whole cost of the deductible in my premium so what's the point?

Every private insurance plan from a company I might work with is high deductible. You've got to have a government job to get something else.