we aren't actually rich. for example, the minimum wage in poland is now like 7.45/ hour. rent in a rural area of poland for a studio is like 200-250/ month. you do the math + they could walk/take a bike/take a bus without spending 2500 a year for car insurance to just drive to work. here, plenty of wages are still like 10/hour but even in bumfuck, kansas, the rent is like 600 a month.
United States