>>>The last stated income level was 100,000. Let's assume that for now just for discussion sake. What is the exchange rate in British sterling? Approximately 63,000/yr, correct? Does a family with 63,000 annual income fall into the 'rich' category in your country?
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>>>That one is a specious argument. The only time the exchange rate matters is when you are earning in one currency and traveling somewhere that uses a different currency. What I observed when Andy and I were living there, was that things seemed to cost about the same number. So I reckon that if you are earning pounds and living in England, 100K pounds will buy you in England what 100K USD will buy you over here.
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>>I found the same thing when I was there - admittedly a while ago. What cost $5.00 here cost £5.00 there. I was very surprised at that.
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>The problem is that in order to get that 5 in British pounds, you'd have to give up 7.90 US dollars... So as long as you were paid in British pounds you'd be ok...

That was exactly Marcia's point. A salary of $100,000 earned and spent in the U.S. will buy what £100,000 earned and spent in England will buy. So comparing $100,000 salary in the U.S. to £63,000 salary in England doesn't make sense.