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People in Stockholm spend a relatively high part of their income on rent (probably around 35-40% on average), but it is a choice to live here. Stockholm has the jobs, but it is quite unrational to live here if you want to get life-quality for your tax-money. The living costs are expensive.
On the countryside, youŽll find life less expensive, but there are off course some downsides with that as well... like lack of job-opportunities!
Basically, if you compare Sweden with the U.S, youŽll find Sweden more expensive and if you are educated you will earn less money in Sweden. However, if you look at the total costs for living, it is basically a "zero-sum" game. What you loose in sallary in Sweden, you will have to spend on social security, insurances (much less expensive in Sweden, since we donŽt have the same tradition of expensive law-suits), child-care, school etc.) in the States. Just a few examples: the cost for kindergarten in the States is probably around $1000/month in a U.S city, while it is less than $250 in Sweden. Car-insurance is around $500/year in Sweden. (The gas-price is about $1 per litre, however!) A visit to the doctor costs $25 in Sweden.
It is easier to get real rich in the States, but for "middle class" people, Sweden gives you more for the (tax)buck. Since most of us are stuck there in the middle, Sweden gives quite a good life for everybody.
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/President of the
United States of Love
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