One keeps hearing of low European pay and high taxation (50%). I think the UK is where it's at, but by Jiminy Cricket, the taxation is more than high enough there and the cost of living high. I was going to say astronomical, but I am in Norway at the moment and it is even more eye-watering there......in fact 'extreme bordering on extortionate!'. There are 3 things to bear in mind together:
Pay
Tax
Cost of living