Off the top of my head, the Cato human freedom index isn't the same thing as "free speech" the OP mentioned, and while Europe I think strikes a balance very well its rights to guarantee its citizens a happy life, the US in particular is also known for having a kind of extreme position on free speech owing to the original constitution.

Google "freedom of speech in us vs europe" to see some of the differences.

These differences aren't common enough in day-to-day life to affect quality of life, but in certain controversial situations it leads to different laws being passed. I think that's what OP is getting at.