The relative value of a universal basic income depends on whether other benefits are also provided and taken account of, such as free health care, housing, and food. Otherwise, as measured by purchasing power parity, the US usually ranks as having a per capita income about 20 per cent higher than Germany. The official US poverty rate is now just under 12 per cent, as compared to the 15.7 per cent rate in Germany cited by the article. By most measures and accounts of US visitors and residents in Germany, the country is less affluent than the United States but not dramatically cheaper as to living costs.
Just like US Germany varies from one place to another. Munich is one thing and Leipzig or Berlin is another thing.