Most European countries do share similar demographic trends relative to the US as Germany. In fact Germany's enrollment rates are above average.

Again, wealth gaps don't affect the prices of goods. The cost of cars, cell phones, and plenty of other things are largely the same between the US and other developed countries. Housing in the US is plenty cheap outside desirable metros. And Europe similarly has expensive housing in desirable metros. Housing is expensive in Stockholm, the better parts of London, etc.