It is known that in some U.S. states as well as in some other countries, the higher your income, the higher your taxes, while in others, the lower your income, the lower your taxes. The simple question I would like to ask you is this: which would you choose, to accept a job with high income in a where the cost of living is high and you pay high taxes, or go for a low paying job in a state where the cost of living is low and the taxes are low? After all, taxes never end.
To answer the question posed by the title of this thread: You end up in the same position so the only distinction you might add is whether that money you earn has purchasing power elsewhere and whether you intend to eventually retire elsewhere to use any accrued earnings. Perhaps that is the only advantage that a higher earning power could give you - your ability to save in the same proportion would allow you to amass more money. For example if you spent a career earning millions in New York but were comfortable retiring to Alabama or another cheaper neighborhood, then your money would stretch a lot further. However the reality you might be hinting at is - would you prefer to earn less but have things like free at the point of receipt medical care and 28+ days a year holiday, which I think many Americans desire but they're trapped in a system that fights it.