wrong again ...
You want to look at discretionary income.
Disposable Income Definition | Investopedia
Disposable income is income after mandatory taxes.
Quote:
Statistical Uses of Disposable Income
Many useful statistical measures and economic indicators derive from disposable income. For example, economists use disposable income as a starting point to calculate metrics such as discretionary income, personal savings rates, marginal propensity to consume and marginal propensity to save.
Disposable income minus all payments for necessities, such as mortgage, health insurance, food and transportation, equals discretionary income.
Read more: Disposable Income Definition | Investopedia Disposable Income Definition | Investopedia
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That same $44K disposable income after deductions for other loan obligations, cars, boat, student loans, etc. might qualify you for a $100K to $60K mortgage loan half the average price of a house maybe?
from a mortgage calculator list:
You said the buy the ''stuff you want'' like a house or condo(apartment)? Maybe, if you live in a large city you do not need a private auto and you can use a taxi or the subway. How many people own a home free and clear? Their discretionary income is higher. If a village African owns his hut then he doesn't pay rent -- it is all relative. However, if you live in a hut or tent and have to go to the well to get water -- that is 200 years behind the times -- so I imagine that is not a good living standard.
Who can afford to own a home in the US?
American FactFinder - Results
That table is national average and not by state. The EU would be the same difference by nation (or state). You could break that data out to compare the states with higher GDP growth that I mentioned.
But that still doesn't tell you where it is better to live. Weather (climate), lifestyle and entertainment opportunities ... There are so many variables.