If you are a tech worker in a small city or town then it can be quite lucrative. You have a lot of control over these variables, especially when younger.
You end up paying for those things in other countries where you're provided them but not directly charged for it. The difference is in the USA for most of those if you don't pay you simply don't get the service, while in other countries you get the service but the tax-man may come and put you in jail if you don't pay for them. It's an individual choice but I prefer getting to pick (at least a little bit) how to spend that money personally rather than the government entirely deciding for me, although I can see how someone coming from a place where government does all that would find it uncomfortable.