United States
Data updated Aug 29, 2026
Overall Score
54.8
Good
Avg. Rent (1BR)
$1,669
-2% vs US Avg
Safety Index
50.8
COL Index
100
The United States is not a destination most Americans think of when planning a FIRE or retirement move abroad, but it belongs on this site for one specific reason: it is the baseline against which every other country gets measured. If you are a remote worker with a US-based salary, a retiree drawing Social Security and a 401(k), or someone returning from an overseas stint, understanding what domestic life actually costs is the starting point. The honest case for staying or returning is straightforward: no visa friction, no foreign language requirement, no currency risk, and full access to financial infrastructure that most expat destinations cannot replicate. The tradeoff is that your dollar buys dramatically less here than in Mexico, Portugal, or Southeast Asia, and the gap is not marginal.
The numbers reflect that gap bluntly. A single person's monthly expenses outside of rent run around $1,176, and a one-bedroom in a city center averages $1,669 per month. That puts a modest but functional urban budget at roughly $2,850 to $3,200 a month before healthcare, a car, or any discretionary spending. Stretch that to $4,000 and you are not living extravagantly; you are covering the basics in a mid-tier city. Compare that to Lisbon at around $2,200 all-in or Medellin at $1,500, and the arithmetic becomes uncomfortable fast. The US does not market itself as affordable because it cannot. Regional variation is enormous: rural Appalachia and parts of the Midwest can come in significantly below these averages, while San Francisco or New York will roughly double them.
The practical friction is different here than abroad, but it is real. Healthcare is the single biggest variable. The Numbeo healthcare index of 67.8 sounds reasonable until you realize it measures quality and access, not cost. A bronze-tier ACA plan for a 55-year-old runs $500 to $900 per month before any deductible, and a $7,000 out-of-pocket maximum is standard. Car dependency is structural in most of the country outside of a handful of dense cities. Broadband is fast, the US ranked 8th globally for fixed broadband speeds, but monthly costs average $60 to $80 versus $20 in parts of Eastern Europe. Property taxes, state income taxes, and the cost of eating out, which runs $18 to $25 for a sit-down lunch in most cities, add up in ways that a quick cost-of-living calculator tends to understate.
For Americans considering a move abroad, the US tax position is the thing that follows you regardless of where you land. The US taxes citizens on worldwide income no matter where they live, which is why this conversation matters even from the domestic side. If you are evaluating a foreign move from a US base, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion lets you exclude up to $126,500 in earned income for 2024 if you meet the bona fide residence or physical presence test. The Foreign Tax Credit is the other main tool, allowing you to offset US tax dollar-for-dollar against taxes paid to a foreign government. Neither applies while you live in the US, obviously, but understanding the baseline before you leave determines how much you actually save by going. FATCA and FBAR reporting requirements kick in once you hold more than $10,000 in foreign accounts, and those obligations start from day one abroad, not after you file your first foreign return.
Recommended Destinations in United States
Best for Retirees
Best for Geoarbitrage
Best for Remote Workers
- Capital
- Washington, D.C.
- Official Language
- English
- Time Zone
- UTC-12:00
- Region
- North America
- Population
- 329,484,123
- Healthcare Index
- 67.8
- Internet Speed
- 390.28 Mbps
- Climate Zones
- continental, temperate, arid, tropical
View on Interactive Map
Explore data visually
🏙️ Top Cities in United States
Explore cost of living, walkability scores, and expat ratings for individual cities in United States.
CoL Index: 84
Est. Total: ~$3,900/mo
CoL Index: 100
Est. Total: ~$4,524/mo
CoL Index: 92
Est. Total: ~$3,050/mo
CoL Index: 88
Est. Total: ~$4,100/mo
CoL Index: 87
Est. Total: ~$3,950/mo
CoL Index: 100
Est. Total: ~$3,127/mo
CoL Index: 94
Est. Total: ~$3,586/mo
CoL Index: 68
Est. Total: ~$1,450/mo
CoL Index: 75
Est. Total: ~$1,974/mo
CoL Index: 69
Est. Total: ~$2,609/mo
CoL Index: 71
Est. Total: ~$3,152/mo
CoL Index: 70
Est. Total: ~$2,970/mo
CoL Index: 69
Est. Total: ~$2,220/mo
CoL Index: 97
Est. Total: ~$3,908/mo
CoL Index: 82
Est. Total: ~$3,875/mo
CoL Index: 85
Est. Total: ~$3,680/mo
CoL Index: 92
Est. Total: ~$2,596/mo
CoL Index: 92
Est. Total: ~$3,750/mo
CoL Index: 83
Est. Total: ~$2,277/mo
CoL Index: 95
Est. Total: ~$3,030/mo
How far does $3,000 go in United States?
With a monthly budget of $3,000, you can live comfortably in United States. After accounting for an average rent of $$1,669, you have approximately $1,331remaining for daily expenses.
Calculate your FIRE timeline with these costs →💰 Cost of Living in United States
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means it's cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means rent is cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means groceries are cheaper.
Relative to New York City (NYC = 100). A lower number means eating out is cheaper.
Cost Comparison Notes:
Summary of cost of living in United States: The estimated monthly costs for a family of four are 21,871.7R$ ($4,241.2), excluding rent. The estimated monthly costs for a single person are 6,068.5R$ ($1,176.8), excluding rent.
🛒 Grocery & Family Costs
Family Costs
Can I afford to live in United States?
Comfortable (1.0×): balanced baseline lifestyle. Adjusts day-to-day costs only — rent is unaffected.
United States
You could save
155/mo
Monthly Costs
Attractiveness Scores
Based on national averages. City-level costs may vary. Browse cities in United States →
⚕️ Healthcare System
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Flexible, subscription-based health cover for remote workers in United States.
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An estimation of the overall quality of the health care system. Higher is better.
Quality & Affordability:
Excellent standard of care, highly trained doctors, cutting-edge facilities. However, system is notoriously expensive and lacks universal coverage. Affordability and surprise billing are major concerns.
Insurance Insights:
Primarily relies on private insurance (often employer-sponsored). Government programs (Medicare/Medicaid) exist but don't cover everyone. Expat insurance is essential and very expensive (avg. ~$15,300/year). ACA Marketplace offers options for lawfully present immigrants.
🛂 Visa & Residency Pathways
🛂 Visa Services
Ready to apply for a United States visa?
Get help with your application — tourist, long-stay, and residency visas processed online.
General Overview
Available Visa Types:
Process & Requirements:
The United States immigration system is notoriously 'complex', expensive, and has very long processing times. There is no visa category for retirement or passive income. The primary pathways to long-term residency (a Green Card) are through family sponsorship or employment. Employment-based routes, like the H-1B visa for skilled workers, are subject to annual caps and a lottery system, making them highly competitive and uncertain. The process requires a sponsoring employer to navigate a significant legal and administrative burden. Other routes, like the EB-5 investor visa, require a minimum investment of $800,000 in a new commercial enterprise.
The lack of a simple residency option for retirees or self-sufficient individuals, combined with the lottery-based and high-cost nature of the main pathways, makes the US system one of the most difficult to access for long-term stays. The entire process is managed by multiple agencies, including the Department of State and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) (URL: https://www.uscis.gov/).
Residency & Citizenship Notes:
The pathway to a Green Card is 'complex' and can take many years. Once a person has been a Lawful Permanent Resident for five years (or three years if married to a US citizen), they are eligible to apply for citizenship. The pathway from Green Card holder to citizen is relatively 'clear'. The applicant must demonstrate continuous residence, good moral character, and pass a test on English language and US history and civics. The US fully permits dual citizenship, so renunciation of a previous nationality is not required. The main difficulty lies in the long and arduous journey to obtain the Green Card in the first place (URL: https://www.uscis.gov/citizenship).
🛂 Visa Matcher
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Detailed Visa Options
🧳 Tourist & Short-Stay Information
Extension Notes
Not applicable, as the traveler is a citizen of the United States. Source: N/A
General Visa Notes
Not applicable, as the traveler is a citizen of the United States. Source: N/A
🌴 Retirement / Passive Income Visa
This country does not have a dedicated retirement visa, but the following notes provide guidance on pathways for retirees.
Income Notes
The United States does not have a visa category for retirement. Foreign nationals seeking to retire in the U.S. must qualify for a permanent residence (Green Card) through other paths, such as family sponsorship, employment, or significant investment (EB-5 program).
Official Source: https://www.uscis.gov/greencard/eligibility-categories
Health Insurance Notes
The United States does not have a retirement visa. Individuals who immigrate through other paths (e.g., family-based, EB-5) are responsible for their own health insurance. They may be able to purchase private plans via the ACA Marketplace. They are not eligible for Medicare until they have several years of residency and work history.
Official Source: https://www.healthcare.gov/
💻 Digital Nomad Visa
Income Notes
The United States does not have a digital nomad visa. While some people work remotely on a B-1/B-2 visitor visa, this exists in a significant legal grey area. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) states that visitor visas cannot be used for employment in the U.S., and this is interpreted strictly. Doing so carries risk of visa cancellation and denial of future entry.
Official Source: View Source
📈 Investor Visa
Investment Details
Investment Options & Notes
The minimum investment is $800,000 USD into a new commercial enterprise located in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA). The standard minimum for non-TEA projects is $1,050,000. The investment must create at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers.
Official Source: View Source
Path to Citizenship
Citizenship Notes
The EB-5 visa grants conditional permanent residency (a 'Green Card'). After 5 years of holding a Green Card and meeting physical presence requirements, an investor can apply for citizenship. The U.S. allows dual citizenship.
Official Source: View Source
🛡️ Safety & Stability
An estimation of overall safety level. Higher is better.
An estimation of the overall level of crime. Lower is better.
World Bank political stability estimate, rescaled to 0-100. Higher is better.
Safety Notes:
Crime Rate: Varies regionally. Urban areas experience higher violent crime.
Types of Crime: Theft, gun violence, and cybercrime.
Kidnapping Risk: Low; most cases involve domestic disputes.
🏦 Taxation & Finance
🏦 Tax Snapshot
FEIE Interaction
FTC Utility: none
The US taxes its citizens and permanent residents on worldwide income regardless of residence. The FEIE excludes foreign earned income from US taxation (2024 limit $126,500), so there is no foreign tax to credit against excluded income. The Foreign Tax Credit is available as an alternative to the FEIE for passive and investment income taxed abroad, but these are mutually exclusive elections on earned income. Expats living in the US itself have no foreign taxes to credit.
Presence Day Count Notes
Physical presence test requires 330 full days outside the US in any 12-month period. Days in transit through the US count as US days. The bona fide residence test requires establishing a tax home and genuine residency in a foreign country for an uninterrupted period that includes an entire tax year.
FBAR Trigger Notes
FBAR (FinCEN Form 114) is required when aggregate value of foreign financial accounts exceeds $10,000 at any point during the calendar year. FATCA Form 8938 thresholds are $200,000 on the last day of the year or $300,000 at any point for single filers living abroad ($400,000/$600,000 for joint filers abroad). US citizens and green card holders must file regardless of country of residence.
401k/IRA Treatment
Pension Income
Pension income is taxed as ordinary income at applicable federal marginal rates from 10% to 37%. State taxation varies; some states fully exempt pension income, others tax it in full. Government pension income from foreign sources may be subject to treaty exemptions.
Locally TaxedSocial Security
Up to 85% of Social Security benefits may be included in federal taxable income depending on combined income thresholds. Single filers with combined income above $34,000 and joint filers above $44,000 pay tax on up to 85% of benefits. Some states exempt Social Security from state income tax.
Locally TaxedRoth Distributions
Qualified Roth IRA and Roth 401(k) distributions are federally tax-free in the US provided the account has been open at least 5 years and the owner is age 59.5 or older. Some foreign countries do not recognize Roth tax-free treatment and may tax distributions locally.
Not Taxed LocallyUS 401k/IRA Distributions
Traditional 401(k) and IRA distributions are taxed as ordinary income at federal rates from 10% to 37% depending on total taxable income in the year of distribution. Most states also tax these distributions. This field describes US domestic taxation; for expats abroad, foreign country treatment varies by bilateral treaty.
Locally TaxedCapital Gains Tax
Long-term capital gains (assets held over 12 months) are taxed at preferential rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on taxable income. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income at rates up to 37%. The 3.8% Net Investment Income Tax (NIIT) may apply to high earners, bringing the effective top rate on long-term gains to 23.8%. State taxes apply separately.
The US taxes capital gains at two tiers. Long-term gains on assets held more than 12 months are taxed at 0%, 15%, or 20% based on income thresholds. Short-term gains are taxed as ordinary income. A 3.8% NIIT applies on net investment income for single filers with MAGI above $200,000 and joint filers above $250,000.
Dividend Tax Rate
Qualified dividends are taxed at long-term capital gains rates of 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on taxable income. Ordinary (non-qualified) dividends are taxed as ordinary income at rates up to 37%. The 3.8% NIIT applies to dividend income for high-income taxpayers. A 30% withholding tax applies to dividends paid to non-resident aliens absent a treaty reduction.
flat
Rate: 20.0%
Top rate on qualified dividends for high-income individuals; 0% and 15% brackets also apply at lower income levels
progressive
Rate: 37.0%
Ordinary (non-qualified) dividends taxed as ordinary income at the applicable marginal rate
withholding
Rate: 30.0%
Default withholding rate on dividends paid to non-resident aliens; reduced by applicable tax treaties
Tax Treaties Notes:
The United States has income tax treaties with numerous countries to prevent double taxation and fiscal evasion.
Retiree Tax Benefits:
The United States provides various tax benefits for retirees, including tax-deferred retirement accounts. U.S. citizens must comply with U.S. tax obligations on their global income.
Cost Savings vs. U.S.:
The cost of living in the United States varies widely depending on the region and city, with some areas being more affordable than others.
Recommended services for United States
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IBKR →Recommended Partner
bordr →Recommended Partner
My Expat Taxes →☀️ Climate & Environment
Climate Zones:
Our proprietary index for drinking water quality and sanitation. Higher is better.
Seasonal Variations:
The United States spans multiple climate zones, including arctic in Alaska, tropical in Hawaii and southern Florida, arid in the southwest, and continental in the northeast and Midwest. Seasonal variations are significant across the country.
😊 Quality of Life
Cultural Amenities:
Museums & Galleries
Vast array of museums and galleries across the country.
Key institutions: Smithsonian Institution, Metropolitan Museum of Art, Art Institute of Chicago.
Performing Arts
Broadway in New York City as a hub for theater.
Vibrant scenes in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and San Francisco.
Cultural Festivals
Diverse festivals celebrating the multicultural population.
Major events: Mardi Gras, Sundance Film Festival, South by Southwest (SXSW).
Culinary Diversity
Cuisine reflecting a multicultural society.
Regional specialties and international cuisines prevalent in urban centers.
🌐 Infrastructure & Connectivity
Our proprietary ranking of public transit accessibility and reliability.
Internet Reliability:
The United States offers excellent internet infrastructure with high speeds and extensive coverage, ideal for remote work.
Speed & Quality: Fixed broadband averages 200+ Mbps with widespread fiber, cable, and 5G networks providing excellent speeds.
Availability: Nearly universal urban coverage with good rural connectivity, though some remote areas still face challenges.
Cost: Moderate to high pricing, typically $40-100/month for high-speed residential plans depending on location and provider.
Reliability for Remote Work: Excellent reliability with minimal downtime, extensive business-grade options, and robust infrastructure supporting the digital economy.
Transportation Network:
United States has one of the world's most extensive transportation networks with comprehensive infrastructure across all modes.
Roads: Extensive interstate highway system and local road networks connecting all areas.
Rail: Comprehensive freight rail network; passenger rail more limited outside Northeast corridor.
Domestic Travel: Extensive domestic airline network with major hubs; excellent road and limited passenger rail options.
Recommended services for United States
Recommended Partner
Traveling Mailbox →Recommended Partner
US Global Mail →Recommended Partner
HideMy.Name →Recommended Partner
Veepn →Frequently Asked Questions about United States
Click any question to expand the answer.
📚 Related Reading
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