Edit: Let me clarify - not saying that Eastern European programmers are better or worse but the living costs are obviously lower in Eastern Europe than say Western Europe.
I'm working in Hungary as a software engineer, and get about 10$/hour (although I have only 5 years of experience in development). Also, I get more than most of my peers from the university, so it's not that low because I'm a shitty developer :).
With this salary, I'm a very well paid employee compared to others in the country, it's about 3 times more than the average salary.
Not necessary. I'm from Georgia, eastern Europe. I was astonished during my recent visit in Berlin of how cheap it is, especially groceries/food, clothes, toys, etc...
I was also comparing prices in San Diego, California, and it was quite on par with Georgia.
The main reason eastern Europe appears cheap is the human labour - people are just used to low income...
US west coast prices are terrifyingly similar to prices in the Baltic States(unless you're living in a metropolis such as NYC).
Something to remember: It doesn't matter that you're from Ukraine. It matters where the company you work remotely for is stationed. If you find a company in the US or western EU willing to hire you, you can probably ask for their domestic market rates :)
