Earlier quoted context omitted.
Don't act like you don't need a lot of money in Europe.
Well, you don't need a lot of money. The exception would normally be medical needs but those are generally covered if you're in the system. You may want things that cost a lot of money, but this is a different problem, with more than one solution. (I'm not advocating curtailed wants or frugality. My life is pretty comfy and I like it that way.)
Real estate is much more expensive in major European cities compared to US major cities (income-adjusted), and is taxed a lot on top of income taxes. And rural real estate is much cheaper in the US both absolutely and income-adjusted.
Vehicles and fuel are more expensive here too + again major taxes. Traveling by public transport is reality only in major German and French metropolitan areas, you need a car everywhere else as soon as you need to cross the city border at least semi-regularly.
And yet not even coronavirus tests are free here, as opposed to many places in the US.