Which is really financially easier - US or UK?

New cars about 33% more expensive in the UK.  Not sure about used cars.

Used cars seem to be super cheap here. My BF's nephew is looking for his first car and you can find a < 10yo, < 100k miles car for < £500. I sold my version of that in the US for $3,000 when I moved.

Used cars seem to be super cheap here. My BF's nephew is looking for his first car and you can find a < 10yo, < 100k miles car for < £500. I sold my version of that in the US for $3,000 when I moved.

Yeah, you can get decent used cars here for only a few hundred pounds. I could never have been able to afford even a used car when I lived in the US in 2008 - the cheapest I could find was $4,000 for 20-year-old car that had done over 150,000 miles. In comparison, in 2004 my parents in the UK bought a 9-year-old used Nissan with 35,000 miles on the clock for £1,000.

Used cars seem to be super cheap here. My BF's nephew is looking for his first car and you can find a < 10yo, < 100k miles car for < £500. I sold my version of that in the US for $3,000 when I moved.

Hurrah, something that is cheaper than in the US!

Thanks for your replies! I asked this question in light of a semi-political debate I had in which I tried to remain as moderate as possible. You had those who claimed that it was easier to live in a "social welfare" place like the UK, and those who claimed that the USA's more "free economy" was better.

After thinking about it, I think what clouds some perceptions is the high materialism of the US. If you're disciplined enough not to buy things like a McMansion, SUV, etc. that you really can't afford, it becomes easier financially in America. On the other hand those who base their standard of living on relative rather than absolute terms would probably feel less pressure to keep up with the Joneses in the UK. Another way that the American system rewards frugalists who save is that many of the expenses that the US is worse on are big-ticket items like health care (which is one reason those with major health issues may find it easier in the UK) and higher education.

After thinking about it, the logic in the previous paragraph also explains one of the reasons why many American families claim they can't make it on one income anymore. If they didn't feel the need to buy bigger houses/vehicles/whatever than what they need, the latest in everything, etc. many (but not all) such families would find they probably could manage with one breadwinner.

Another way that the American system rewards frugalists who save is that many of the expenses that the US is worse on are big-ticket items like health care (which is one reason those with major health issues may find it easier in the UK) and higher education.

Yep, people with expensive healthcare costs due to preexisiting conditions/several kids to pay for might win out in the UK. 

Higher education is difficult to judge since the costs are so variable in the US.  In the UK, I think most students can expect to pay 9000GBP for tuition and 5000GBP living costs, although the terms of the loan are good.  This might be similar to the cost of state college in the US?  However, scholarships are virtually non-existent in the UK.  In the US, many colleges are expensive, but some students get help from scholarships, and some of the rich prestigious colleges offer excellent financial aid which could end up cheap/free for some students.

Thanks for your replies! I asked this question in light of a semi-political debate I had in which I tried to remain as moderate as possible. You had those who claimed that it was easier to live in a "social welfare" place like the UK, and those who claimed that the USA's more "free economy" was better.

After thinking about it, I think what clouds some perceptions is the high materialism of the US. If you're disciplined enough not to buy things like a McMansion, SUV, etc. that you really can't afford, it becomes easier financially in America. On the other hand those who base their standard of living on relative rather than absolute terms would probably feel less pressure to keep up with the Joneses in the UK. Another way that the American system rewards frugalists who save is that many of the expenses that the US is worse on are big-ticket items like health care (which is one reason those with major health issues may find it easier in the UK) and higher education.

After thinking about it, the logic in the previous paragraph also explains one of the reasons why many American families claim they can't make it on one income anymore. If they didn't feel the need to buy bigger houses/vehicles/whatever than what they need, the latest in everything, etc. many (but not all) such families would find they probably could manage with one breadwinner.

  

This is so full of generalizations that I don't even know where to begin.  Lets start with your final paragraph and work up shall we?  Many Americans can't make it on one salary not because they want to keep up with the Jones but because they are not paid enough.  The keeping up with the Jones does not pertain to the majority of people particularly the working poor.  

I'm sure you are by now familiar with the statistics that showed the American wages stagnant now for over a decade for the majority of Americans.  So yes, while there is some validity in your statement, it is the sweeping generalizations that makes it difficult to read.

I like the generalizations because they ring true on all accounts. We were founded on this mindset so we almost can't help it. The reason many (not all) "working poor" are poor is there inability to make good decisions. Like not buying the most expensive product not cheaper versions, not having more than one TV, computers, etc. etc. Now as to why they can't reason could be different causes. But we are all encouraged to spend, spend, spend in the US. We really need personal finace classes in elementary school on.


I can find stupidity and greed galore to make my case. I can find ten other people who can provide more examples. Bankruptcies are really a treat. And then there are the people applying for home loans lying about how much they make to get a much bigger home. Whew. Of course everyone else is paying for all of this.

Re: The last two posts: I know it's a generalization, hence why I said "one of the reasons" and "many (but not all)". With the issue of one vs. multiple incomes, there are certainly those who have fallen victim to America's greedy corporations not paying their workers a fair amount (and indeed they often prey on those who are at a decided disadvantage such as single mothers). However, I think the materialism factor is another major one. That's why a family with one income who lives in a small by American standards (but still above average by British standards!) house, drives reasonably fuel-efficient cars, and is wise on how they spend money can be better off than a family of the same size with two (or more!) incomes (with each income being similar to the single one mentioned) who lives in a 3,000+ sq. ft. McMansion, drives gas-guzzling SUVs, and blows their money on any items they're bombarded with via America's advertising craze.

You are right.

This is so full of generalizations that I don't even know where to begin.

I think the whole point of this topic was to generalize, the OP was wanting to know, for the majority of people (ie. in general), will they be better off in the UK or US.  I think they realize (and it has been pointed out) that each person's/family's economic situation is unique, and that the outcome is a generalization and not a definite yes or no.

There are plenty of people who live frugally and reasonably in the US, and there are plenty of people who live consumeristic, materialistic lifestyles in the UK.  It's a bit mad to say that you mostly find McMansions and gas guzzling SUVs in the US, because it's not true. Yes, you find them, but you can also find them in the UK.

Higher education is difficult to judge since the costs are so variable in the US.  In the UK, I think most students can expect to pay 9000GBP for tuition and 5000GBP living costs, although the terms of the loan are good.  This might be similar to the cost of state college in the US?  However, scholarships are virtually non-existent in the UK.

This isn't entirely true. University is generally free in Scotland for Scottish residents.

There are plenty of people who live frugally and reasonably in the US, and there are plenty of people who live consumeristic, materialistic lifestyles in the UK.  It's a bit mad to say that you mostly find McMansions and gas guzzling SUVs in the US, because it's not true. Yes, you find them, but you can also find them in the UK.

Sorry about so many freaking out at my generalizations! Of course you find these various lifestyles almost anywhere, but as has been mentioned elsewhere on here many of us would agree that the average American is more materialistic than the average Brit.

Sorry about so many freaking out at my generalizations! Of course you find these various lifestyles almost anywhere, but as has been mentioned elsewhere on here many of us would agree that the average American is more materialistic than the average Brit.

I don't agree, and I'm not sure why you'd say that.  There are plenty of people in both countries that are materialistic, and there are plenty who are not.  I think that is more of a perception that you have rather than reality.

Right. The two cultures are exactly alike. That is why I am paying a fortune and stressing out my old kitty and my body and mind and hoping I get the things I need to survive. Just to have more of the same.

Save your breath and typing fingers Kelly85.