The largest tax burden is on the middle class. The upper-middle class has fixed social security taxation (it is growing up to a certain level) and large part of the capital is in different securities which are taxed differently (much lower than say income tax).
At the same time, you have no need to pay extra costs for security, healthcare, roads, etc. more than average income people.
Thus you enjoy overall good quality of life with no additional payments.
My own opinion is that you will have better life quality in Scandinavia than in US independently on which income group you belong to, but some people may disagree. And don't underestimate the harsh climate - depression and bad mood is not as uncommon during the dark months.
I know a lot of this is subjective so two people could differ on which country is "better" and both could be right, but your first point about taxation is true in the US as well - capped social security taxes and lower tax rates on investment income.
And for the rich, healthcare isn't much of an issue in the US. Either your employer pays most of the bill or you're so wealthy that $20k per year for your families insurance is a rounding error on your income.
At the same time, you have no need to pay extra costs for security, healthcare, roads, etc. more than average income people.
Thus you enjoy overall good quality of life with no additional payments.
My own opinion is that you will have better life quality in Scandinavia than in US independently on which income group you belong to, but some people may disagree. And don't underestimate the harsh climate - depression and bad mood is not as uncommon during the dark months.