[Joky]

It can be unfortunately :)

But that was not the point, the point was that people talk about "raw", or "after taxes", while it does not mean the same. In France when they talk about "income after taxes" (~23% salary taxes), it is before the equivalent of US Federal+State taxes. These ~23% are about "social contribution" (mandatory healthcare, retirement, unemployment, etc.). Only then, the income taxes are computed on what remains, depending on your family situation (having children impact a lot in France compared to the US). For a single person it can be up to ~ two-months salary.

(City taxes exist there as well after that).

[kchoudhu]

Right, but we also pay 7.6% in social security in addition to income taxes, along with hefty healthcare premiums + deductibles which you don't have to worry about[1]. We also don't have the benefit of free higher education. Despite the depressed technical wages, overall, I think the French have a better deal from a quality of life perspective -- especially if, as you say, they have children.

I hope their system proves sustainable in the long run... I wish I had a way to participate in it (I could apply for the visa, I suppose), but it would be difficult for my US academic wife to break into French academia[2] at a suitable level.

[1] In a bad year, we're talking $13K in deductibles for a family of four on an average insurance plan.

[2] Now that I think about it, she studies French domestic politics. Hmmm...