Sales tax (VAT) in most European countries is around 20%. The top rate of income tax is typically 50% or more. That's just what it costs to have decent public services.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_value_added_tax...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Union_value_added_tax...
Of course, the area under the curve matters, too. I have no insight into what effective tax rates people are paying in 50% top-bracket tax countries in Europe.
As a double-income no kids couple in Silicon Valley, I think we're still paying something like 18% effective tax rate federally.