I'm not so sure average household income would be all that useful when income inequality is high. You would have to slice and dice those numbers a bit more to make them even vaguely representative of reality.

Besides, you have to factor in living costs.

I've looked into living cost a few times when considering working in the Bay Area and I realized that while my income would easily double, my living costs would increase a more than just a factor of two. I would have to accept a lower standard of living than I enjoy now.

I think the only way to really deal with healthcare cost is to look at whether or not we think it is a good idea that there is a huge profit margin. For patient outcomes and for society as a whole.