>>2816407
>>2816430
>>2816442
As an American on the east coast, the cost of traveling to Asia still averages out to much more than traveling domestically due to airfare alone. The current exchange rate is the only reason Japan is cheap once you get there. China and South Korea are some of the most expensive countries all around and SE Asia has always been cheap but isn't that much better than Florida or going on a cruise to the caribbean islands.

Food is not as expensive in the US compared to other countries as people claim. Yes inflation has caused prices to rise for some things but there are still plenty of good value options especially if you dont mind eating drive-in slop. Even some fast food chains like Cook Out in the south offer a crazy amount of food for $7 or $8. You can pick a main entree item, two sides and a large drink or milkshake and if you pick the right sides you can even feed two people with that much. Obviously you are going to pay a lot to eat at a restaurant with inflated menu prices and expected gratuity added. You basically get what you pay for here and if you want expensive quality food there are many options and if you want cheap slop there are endless options.
In Japan it's pretty much the same. You can go to Mos Burger and get a $4 sandwich or a ramen shop and have an $8 meal but if you want a steak or sushi you are paying easily as much as you would in the US, probably more at most places.
Europe is extremely overrated with food, especially in tourist areas which are the only places accessible to most tourists.
Even in Italy, Neapolitan pizza isnt even that good and the pasta dishes you get most places arent much better than a decent trattoria in US cities. Go to Germany, France and Scandinavia and eat some of the most bland BS imaginable. And food is quite pricey in those countries. SE Asia and places with street food vendors are really the only countries where the value of the food for what you're paying is a significant difference.