Europeans have half the ecological footprint of Americans, yet our quality of life is dramatically higher. It might have some correlation, but at a certain point that correlation stops and it just gets gratuitous.
According to numbeo local purchasing power in my city is the same or better than most US cities despite the fact that my wages are much lower over here in Germany.
Tax policy has massively dragged the absolute price level downwards while having almost no effect on the relative price level.
(as a fellow European) By what metric ? Would love to know.