You're missing the tax equation. That all goes into your pocket at the end of the day. That and the fact that gas is dirt cheap, car insurance cheap, boats cheap etc etc. Sure groceries are a bit more expensive but overall your cost of living is lower that NA and you don't pay any tax. In the end you'd have to make about double back home to be competitive
That's the reason we don't go back. Not sure if it's enough anymore to come out here from a relatively secure/well paid job at home though.