Why did I opt for a picture of beer?  I friend offered the following analysis for the discrepancy compared to the U.S. "It's not complex.  Based on living on both sides of the border there are 2 big glaring discrepancies.  One, Canadians don't incur as massive debt when it comes to schooling, thus not starting behind the 8 ball with a literal mortgage as it pertains to higher education.  Second, and more important, the drinks in the U.S. are weak.  So you have to buy 100 American beers to get the alcohol equivalent of a 6 pack of Sleeman.  So you end up spending half your paycheck to get drunk."