US vs Israel: The Shrinking Cost-of-Living Gap

Daniel wrote in from Israel with a sharp observation: visiting the US this summer, groceries and dining out no longer felt like bargains. Is the cost-of-living gap between the US and Israel actually closing, or is it an illusion? We dig into the data — cheese prices, real wages, exchange rates, and purchasing power parity — to find out. The answer involves a surprising convergence in specific categories, a hidden housing variable, and an exchange rate illusion that changes everything. If you've ever wondered how to fairly compare income and prices across countries, this episode is for you. Episode #885345 — open it directly at myweirdprompts.com/885345