I see a lot of people parroting assumptions, so decided to take a few minutes to post some stats and links. First, median income. The definition of median is, half are higher and half are lower. Luxembourg, Norway and Switzerland have higher median incomes than the U.S. The U.S. is #4 in the world. In comparison with larger countries: U.S. - $30,616 Australia - $29,875 Canada - $28,288 Sweden - $27,167 Germany - $25,528 France - $24,233 UK - $21,033 Japan - $19,967 [i]Note: when adjusted for purchasing power, the U.S. is #1, because goods and services cost more in Luxembourg, Norway and Switzerland. Here is a list that adjusts for purchasing power: http://www.bloomberg.com/visual-data/best-and-worst/highest-salaries-in-oecd-countries[/i] Now, GDP per capita. The same three countries (Luxembourg, Norway, Switzerland) have higher GDP per capita than the U.S. So does Qatar. The U.S. is #5 in the world. In comparison to larger countries: U.S. - $55,904 Australia - $51,642 Sweden - $48,966 UK - $44,118 Canada - $43,935 Germany - $41,267 France - $37,728 Japan - $32,481 But wait! What about America's poor dying in the streets?? Interestingly, America's poorest 10% are better off than the poorest 10% in most of Europe (and actually better off than Russia's richest 10%): http://b-i.forbesimg.com/timworstall/files/2013/06/inequality.png Per this chart, the bottom 10% are better off in Sweden, Canada and Australia than in the U.S. However, America's bottom 10% are better off than the bottom 10% in every other European country, including the UK, France, Germany, Norway, Switzerland etc.