However, even with Tmobile you can a prepaid plan with unlimited calls and text, plus 100GB of data for $40; which is roughly the same price. My point was the pricing between the EU and US is not that different; and depending on what you want can actually be cheaper. Even so, there still is the perception that US cell service is much more expensive than in the EU. Depending on your needs, a US plan may even be a better value.
For example, I can text for free in the EU and many other countries, as well as have free low speed data to get mail and use VOIP to make calls. With YouMail I get an email whenver someone leaves a VM. That essentially gives me service in the EU and elsewhere as if I was in the US.
I think most carriers want you on post-paid plans simply because there is more revenue consistancy and less churn on those; and they often offer substantial discounts for various groups. Even on post-paid I can get one with no contract and thus can switch whenever I want.