United States
Data updated Oct 10, 2026
Overall Score
54.8
Good
Avg. Rent (1BR)
$1,669
-2% vs US Avg
Safety Index
50.8
COL Index
100
Overall Score
54.8
GoodEstimated Cost
$2,531/mo
single person, incl. rent
Verdict
Best for retirees
based on our recommended destinations
The United States works for one specific type of mover: someone with an existing job offer, a company sponsoring an H-1B or L-1, or a path back to citizenship or a green card through family. It does not work for the person chasing a remote-work visa or a passive-income retirement permit, because neither exists here. There is no digital nomad visa and no retiree visa option. If you can legally work or you already have status, the appeal is real income potential. If you cannot clear the immigration hurdle, the rest of this page is irrelevant to you.
The marketing version of American living costs ignores geography entirely, and national averages reflect that gap poorly. Living costs swing enormously by state and metro - a budget that works in Omaha bears no resemblance to one in San Francisco or New York - and any single blended national figure flattens those differences into something that describes no actual place. In practice, your real cost of living depends almost entirely on which state and metro you land in, not on whatever a national average implies.
The friction that catches people off guard is healthcare, not rent. The US has no universal coverage system; coverage is patchy and tied heavily to employment. Government programs like Medicare and Medicaid exist but don't cover everyone, so most people rely on private insurance, often through an employer.
For a returning American or a US citizen moving domestically, the Foreign Earned Income Exclusion is irrelevant, since the FEIE only shields foreign-earned income from US tax and you're no longer earning it abroad. You'll be taxed under the standard federal brackets: 10% up to $11,600, 12% up to $47,150, 22% up to $100,525, 24% up to $191,950, 32% up to $243,725, 35% up to $609,350, and 37% above that. Capital gains sit at a flat 20% for most individuals, and dividends for a standard resident are taxed at the same 37% top marginal rate if they're non-qualified. If you're a foreign national moving here instead, none of the offshore exclusions or treaty elections that matter in other country guides apply once you're a US tax resident; you're inside the same bracket system as everyone else, and the planning conversation shifts from avoiding US tax to managing it.
United States vs. the global average
Scores out of 10, shown as the gap between United States and the global average. 5 clear strengths, 4 clear gaps.
- English Speaking+3.5
- Internet Speed+2.5
- Healthcare+2.4
- Expat Community+2.2
- Public Transport+2.2
- Safety-0.3
- Residency Pathway-0.8
- Tax Friendliness-1.1
- Housing Affordability-4.0
- Cost of Living-5.2
🚚 Moving to United States
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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: ~$4,687/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: 74
Est. Total: ~$3,128/mo
CoL Index: 94
Est. Total: ~$3,813/mo
CoL Index: 68
Est. Total: ~$1,450/mo
CoL Index: 75
Est. Total: ~$1,952/mo
CoL Index: 69
Est. Total: ~$2,609/mo
CoL Index: 71
Est. Total: ~$3,152/mo
CoL Index: 69
Est. Total: ~$2,970/mo
CoL Index: 69
Est. Total: ~$2,220/mo
CoL Index: 89
Est. Total: ~$3,869/mo
CoL Index: 82
Est. Total: ~$3,875/mo
CoL Index: 85
Est. Total: ~$3,680/mo
CoL Index: 92
Est. Total: ~$7,152/mo
CoL Index: 92
Est. Total: ~$3,750/mo
CoL Index: 76
Est. Total: ~$3,314/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 ($4,241.2), excluding rent.
Estimate the cost of shipping your belongings to United States →
See how United States's cost of living compares with Portugal
🛒 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
Our Top Pick for Nomads: SafetyWing
Flexible, subscription-based health cover for remote workers in United States.
Get Covered with SafetyWing →Looking for more options? Check Ekta.
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 Primarily relies on private insurance (often employer-sponsored). Government programs (Medicare/Medicaid) exist but. 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.
See how United States's healthcare compares with Portugal
🛂 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
Many long-stay visas require proof of health insurance. Compare international health plans before you apply.
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🛡️ 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 may have higher crime; overall safety index 50.8 (Numbeo).
Types of Crime: Common crimes: 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-advantaged retirement accounts, with pension income taxed as ordinary income. 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 major urban centers commanding significantly higher prices than suburban or rural areas.
Pick between Form 2555 (Foreign Earned Income Exclusion) and Form 1116 (Foreign Tax Credit) with an expat tax service.
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Recommended services for United States
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Fidelity →See how United States's taxes compares with Portugal
☀️ 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 390.28 Mbps, according to current data 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 →Frequently Asked Questions about United States
Click any question to expand the answer.
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