Comparing Cost of Living in Thailand to that of America

Just for the fun of it, I thought I'd make this ludicrous comparison between Southeast Asia and western nations; I hear Thailand is by far the most expensive in the region - other travellers have told me that in Vietnam you can buy a large house for $400 or shoot a bazooka at a cow for 20 bucks.

Thailand - 1 Month
Locale: Samphran
Subsistence Level:

  1. 500 sq. foot apartment with bath: 2000 Baht
  2. Water, electricity (fan, lights, TV): 100 Baht
  3. Food (fresh from the market) : 1200 Baht
    1. Breakfast (Curry or Pork Rice Congee): 10 Baht
    2. Lunch (Curry or PadThai): 10 Baht
    3. Dinner (Curry or PadThai): 10 Baht
    4. Snacks (Fruit or Rice/Coconut based things): 5 Baht each
  4. Transport on foot or borrowed bicycle: Free
  5. Cell Phone with 300 free minutes: 300 Baht
Total: 3600 Baht (US$87)

Extras:
  1. Big, varied meals with desert: +1200 Baht
  2. Travelling to the furthest reaches of the country every weekend: +~10000 Baht
    1. 10-hour, 1000km bus ride: 300 Baht
    2. Hotel room with fan: 100 Baht
    3. Motorcycle rental (125CC, 1 day): 110 Baht
    4. Gas per 200km: 100 Baht
    5. National Park entrance fee (student): 100 Baht
    6. Souvenir requiring about 7 hours of experienced craftsman time: 150 Baht
Total: 14500 Baht (US$360)

USA - 1 Month Locale: Gainesville
Subsistence Level:

  1. 400 sq. foot apartment shared with 2-3 other people : $300
  2. Water, electricity: ~$100
  3. Food (out of cans): $60
    1. Breakfast (Oatmeal): 25 cents
    2. Lunch (Baked beans, spinach): 50 cents
    3. Dinner (Spaghetti): 50 cents
    4. Snacks (Oatmeal): 30 cents
  4. Transport: Free buses, bicycle, foot
  5. Prepaid phone with 20 free minutes - $10
Total: $470