Actually, regarding taxes you're both correct as neither side is strictly better. If you're a highly skilled professional then it's way better to live in the US, but if you're not then it's way better to live in (north or west) Europe. If you're a business owner or wealthy individual then this comparison doesn't really matter.
Unskilled Workers
Working in the restaurant or hospitality industry, factory workers, etc.
Minimum Wage: Much higher in Europe than the US.
Taxes: Low in both US and Europe.
Benefits: Europeans have healthcare, paid leave, free public uni, etc. covered by taxpayers. US workers get nothing unless they qualify for welfare/Medicaid.
Skilled Workers
Electricians, plumbers, other trades.
In the US these make a decent income and have job security and good benefits.
I don't know anything about this kind of work in Europe though, so someone else can fill in.
Average Professional
This includes non-CS engineers, accountants, teachers, etc.
Salary: Similar in the US and Europe
Taxes: Slightly higher in Europe
Benefits: As mentioned above, it's better in Europe. US companies provide partial medical coverage for these workers and some basic retirement benefits, but that's about it. People under age 65 at this income level get no benefits from taxes paid either.
Highly-skilled Professional
This includes SDE, IB, traders, doctors, consultants.. basically tech/finance careers in T1 cities with bonus-driven comp.
Total compensation: 3-5x higher in the US
Taxes: Higher in the US, but net income is still much higher than in Europe
Benefits: Better in the US. Europeans get health coverage, pension, paid leave, parental leave, etc. through taxpayers, but Americans get even more through their employer like free top tier health/disability/life coverage, much better retirement benefits, tuition at top business schools covered, RSUs/profit sharing, ESPPs, plenty of vacation time, etc.
The smart move is to get a high paying remote job in the US and live somewhere else. Geo-arbitrage and digital nomading is the way to go!