United States
Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Worth Considering — strongest in infrastructure and education.
- Monthly cost
- $3,510/mo
- ≈ US · standard 11-category basket
- Safety
- 6/100
- Watch · high confidence
- Healthcare
- 71/100
- High · medium confidence
- Schools
- 85/100
- education index · medium confidence
- Climate
- 72/100
- lifestyle index
- Infrastructure
- 90/100
- Good · medium confidence
83% data coverage·341.8M population·Institutional data
Per-field freshness (5 dimensions)
United States at a glance
- Cost$3,510/mosingle person · standard 11-category basket
- Safety5.8 per 100Kintentional homicides (UNODC)
- Healthcare88/100 UHCWHO universal health coverage
- Tax wedge—single, no kids (OECD)
- Population341.8MWorld Bank 2024
Quick answer
Quick answer
Cost-of-living estimate is a 2026 single-person model based on the WhereNext cost index. Use the Cost of Living tool for city-level detail.
Key facts
- Rank #51 of 95 composite score 51/100 across the WhereNext 7-dimension framework.
- ~$3,510/mo single-person cost of living, including rent, utilities, food, and transport.
- Strongest: Infrastructure 90/100 normalized — top strength out of 7 dimensions.
- Watch area: Safety 6/100 — lowest dimension; verify against your priorities.
- Coverage: 83% of dimensions population 341.8M · official and institutional sources (World Bank, UNDP, IEP, OECD, EF EPI).
Composite score
On par with peers
- United States
- 51/100
- North America avg
- 52/100
- Global avg
- 49/100
Compared against 3 regional neighbors and 95 indexed countries globally.
Source: WhereNext 7-dimension composite (World Bank ICP, UNDP HDI, IEP GPI, OECD PISA, EF EPI, Eurostat) · updated
Healthcare costs — United States vs US baseline
Five common line items. Destination visit prices are modelled from US prices with a country multiplier; private insurance uses separate estimates. Grey bar = US price (reference); green = destination; amber = destination above US.
Updated · WhereNext healthcare-cost dataset
Private ins./mo
GP visit
Specialist visit
ER visit
Dental cleaning
| Line item | Country | Local range | US price (reference) | Delta |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Private ins./mo | 🇺🇸 United States | $350-$650 | $500 | — |
| GP visit | 🇺🇸 United States | $150-$300 | $225 | — |
| Specialist visit | 🇺🇸 United States | $250-$500 | $375 | — |
| ER visit | 🇺🇸 United States | $1200-$2500 | $1.9K | — |
| Dental cleaning | 🇺🇸 United States | $100-$200 | $150 | — |
Honest expectations: when United States is the wrong fit
Do not choose United States if you wanted universal healthcare.
HealthcareWithout employer-sponsored coverage, ACA marketplace plans run $400-1,200/mo for an individual; out-of-network surprise billing is still legal in many states.
Do not choose United States if you cannot stomach citizenship-based taxation if you ever leave.
TaxUS citizens owe US tax on worldwide income forever, regardless of residence. Renunciation is the only exit; expatriation tax applies above $2M net worth.
Do not choose United States if you need tenant protections at European levels.
HousingAt-will eviction, no rent-cap (most states), 30-day notice norms, and no security-of-tenure provisions are standard outside NY/CA/OR.
Will you find your people in United States?
Expat density
Hub15.3% foreign-born
English proficiency
100/100 (EF EPI)
Coworking density
High
Top nomad hubs
New York, San Francisco, Austin
Adult community vibe
Hub
Family expat community
Active
Best neighborhoods for community
- · NYC: West Village, Park Slope (families)
- · Austin: South Congress, Mueller
- · SF: Cole Valley, Noe Valley
Internet reality in United States
Median speed is a misleading single metric. What remote workers actually need to know: do Zoom calls survive peak hours, what happens during outages, what’s the mobile backup like.
Peak-hour Zoom quality
Good
Power outage frequency
Rare
Mobile backup
Excellent
Coworking fallback
Dense
Recommended eSIM providers
T-Mobile · Verizon · Visible
What to actually expect
ISP competition is geographic — many cities have 1-2 viable options. Power outage frequency varies by state; Texas + California see annual disruptions.
Safety reality in United States
Per Global Peace Index + WHO + national crime statistics.
GPI 2026Institute for Economics & Peace · Verified HDR 2025 (HDI 2023 data)United Nations Development Programme · Verified- Moderate
Overall public safety
Wide regional variation in safety; high gun violence rate; excellent but expensive emergency care.
- Moderate
Political stability55/100
Functioning institutions; periodic political volatility but expat life largely unaffected.
- Caution
Natural disaster resilience40/100
High exposure (hurricane, tornado, wildfire, earthquake, flood). The score reflects raw frequency — countries with strong infrastructure (e.g. Japan) handle this well, but plan for periodic disruption.
- Strong
Women's safety72/100
Generally safe but solo travel at night calls for normal urban precautions.
- Strong
LGBTQ+ safety75/100
Legal but social acceptance varies regionally. Larger cities significantly more open.
- Excellent
Emergency healthcare quality90/100
- Moderate
Terrorism risk
Periodic incidents; standard urban awareness advised.
National averages only. Cross-reference at the city / neighbourhood level before relocating.
Verify with current government advisories
Static-data signals don’t reflect this week’s situation. Cross-check your home government’s current travel advisory before any irreversible commitment.
What life in United States is actually like
Daily rhythm and cultural texture
Daily life in America is defined by the car. You drive to work, drive to the grocery store, drive to see friends. Exceptions exist — walking the High Line in Manhattan, biking through Portland's Hawthorne District, taking the L in Chicago — but they're exceptions. Meals are fast and informal during the week, elaborate and social on weekends. The work culture runs hot: Americans check email at 11pm and consider two weeks of vacation generous. Seasons shape everything. New England winters force you indoors with woodstoves and cabin fever. Texas summers are a wall of heat you sprint between air-conditioned boxes to escape. The cultural texture shifts every few hundred miles — a Vietnamese pho shop in Houston's Midtown, a Friday fish fry in Milwaukee, green chile on everything in Albuquerque. Tipping is mandatory, not optional (18-25% at restaurants). Small talk with strangers is expected and genuine. Supermarkets are staggeringly large. You will be asked 'how are you' dozens of times daily — the correct answer is always 'good, thanks.'
Who thrives here — and who struggles
Ambitious professionals chasing peak earning potential, especially in tech (Bay Area, Seattle, Austin), finance (New York, Chicago), or biotech (Boston, San Diego). Entrepreneurs benefit from deep venture capital networks and a culture that celebrates risk. Academics and researchers find unmatched institutional resources. It is not for anyone seeking work-life balance by default — you have to carve it out yourself. Retirees without substantial savings will struggle with healthcare costs. Families need to research school districts obsessively, since a single zip code can mean the difference between excellent and failing public schools.
Reality check: the first 6 months
Your first six months will revolve around paperwork and sticker shock. Setting up health insurance is bewildering — PPO vs HMO vs HDHP, copays, deductibles, out-of-network penalties. Building credit history from zero means secured credit cards and months of patience before you can rent a decent apartment. Opening a bank account requires an SSN or ITIN, which takes weeks. If you're in a car-dependent city, you need a vehicle almost immediately but insurance without a US driving record is expensive. Sales tax isn't included in listed prices, so everything costs more than the sticker says. Filing taxes involves federal and state returns, and the system assumes you'll hire an accountant or use software.
United States at a glance
What works well here
- ✓Unmatched career opportunities in tech, finance, and research
- ✓Incredible geographic and cultural diversity across 50 states
- ✓World-leading universities and innovation ecosystem
- ✓No language barrier for English speakers
Friction to expect
- !Healthcare costs are among the highest in the world
- !Immigration pathways are complex, slow, and lottery-dependent
- !Severe housing affordability crisis in major metros
- !Gun violence and safety concerns vary sharply by region
Practical nuances
- LGBTQ+ safety
- Marriage equality is federally protected since 2015. Major cities are highly welcoming, though legal protections vary significantly by state, and some states pursue restrictive legislation.
- Driving & licensing
- Drives on the right. A car is essential in most of the country. Each state issues its own license; foreign licenses are typically valid for tourists but immigrants should obtain a state license promptly.
- Healthcare system
- A predominantly private, employer-based insurance system supplemented by Medicare (65+) and Medicaid (low-income). The ACA marketplace provides subsidized plans for those without employer coverage.
- Walkability & transit
- Only a handful of cities (New York, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, D.C.) have robust public transit. The vast majority of the country is designed around automobile dependency.
Healthcare-system facts · Source: WHO Global Health Observatory + national health-ministry publications · Source review pending · last checked Apr 18, 2026 · Verify coverage and eligibility with the public-system administrator or a licensed health insurer before relying on it.
Tax overview
- Personal income tax
- 10% - 37% (Federal) + State
- Corporate tax
- 21%
- Sales / VAT
- 0% - 10.25% (varies by state/city)
- Wealth & crypto
- No federal wealth tax. Crypto is taxed as property; short-term gains at ordinary income rates, long-term at 0-20% depending on income bracket.
- Inheritance & estate tax
- Federal ESTATE tax up to 40%; no federal inheritance tax. Huge exemption for citizens ($15M in 2026), tiny one for foreign owners. Compare 24 countries →
Tax rates and special regimes · Source: OECD Tax Database + national tax authority publications + treaty texts · Source review pending · last checked Apr 18, 2026 · Verify against your own circumstances with a licensed cross-border tax advisor before filing.
See our tax calculator to model your specific situation.
Where expats settle in United States
Decision Snapshot
The numbers that matter most for your relocation decision.
Scored 0–100 using data from credited organisations: World Bank (cost, governance), WHO (healthcare), OECD PISA (education), Global Peace Index (safety), Open-Meteo (climate), and other credited organisations, plus our own curated data — scoring never uses crowdsourced surveys; crowd-market price indexes appear only as labeled city-cost calibration. See the full methodology.
$3,510
Premium Cost · standard 11-category basket
5.8 homicides per 100k
UHC index: 88
3 pathways
H-1B Visa
GDP/capita PPP: $90,027
$50,020/yr
16.7 months of local costs · 2023
Monthly cost-of-living basket · Source: World Bank + OECD + national statistical agencies + WhereNext research — standard 11-category single-person basket · Source review pending · last checked Apr 21, 2026 · Verify with a recent local listing or in-person check before committing.
Salary & take-home in United States
- Median gross
- $59,540
- Net after tax
- $50,020
- PPP-equiv. net
- $50,020
National median wage, 2023 data (primary-sourced). Net uses United States's resident income-tax brackets, not expat regimes. Per-profession figures are modelled estimates, not job offers.
Key Caution
Safety scores 6/100, which is 55 points below the global average. Research this area carefully before committing.
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The honest take
What's great
- Infrastructure — scored 90/100(well above average)
- Education — scored 85/100(well above average)
- Career — scored 83/100(well above average)
Watch out for
- Safety — scored 6/100(55 below average)
- Affordability — scored 18/100(46 below average)
Is this place viable for you?
Quick decision check — United States
Strengths
- Infrastructure90/100
- Education85/100
- Career83/100
Likely blockers
Safety scores below regional peers
Re-rank destinations against your prioritiesCost may stretch typical budgets
Run the free Retirement Budget calculator
How United States Scores
Seven dimensions, weighted by what matters to relocators.
Best Cities in United States
Flagship cities first, then researched, then modeled — sorted by cost.
Denver
city price-index model
New York
city price-index model
Austin
city price-index model
San Francisco
city price-index model
All 4 Cities in United States
International Schools in United States
73 schools · 5 citiesBrowse detailed school profiles — tuition, class sizes, nationalities, admissions, and hidden fees.
Relocating with school-age children? Browse ranked schools in United States with true-cost fees and admissions timing below.
This plan is not currently for sale.Tradeoffs and Risks
Every country has tradeoffs. Here is what the data shows.
What works well
Areas to research
Regional comparison
Get the free United States Relocation Snapshot (2026)
A one-page, source-cited PDF — cost of living, visa routes, tax & healthcare for United States, each figure cited to its source. The weekly relocation brief: dated rule, cost and ranking changes with primary sources. One email a week — unsubscribe in one click.
Similar Countries
Countries with a similar data profile across all seven dimensions.
Relocation Checklist — United States
Checklist is for guidance only. Requirements may vary based on nationality, visa type, and personal circumstances. Consult an immigration professional.
Make United States real
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- institutional data
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United States advisor intro
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About United States
The United States remains the world's largest economy and a magnet for global talent, offering unmatched career velocity in tech, finance, and research, alongside extreme geographic and cultural diversity.
Deep Research
Detailed data for thorough due diligence. Expand any section below.
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Population
341.8M
Region
North America
Languages
English
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Timezone
Multiple (UTC-10 to -4)
GDP per capita (PPP)
$90,027
Unemployment
4.2%
Healthcare System
Healthcare System
UHC Coverage Index
88
Physicians per 1,000
2.7
Life expectancy
78.9 years
Homicide rate
5.8 per 100k
If your visa or residency application requires proof of health cover, compare the exact requirement with a comprehensive resident plan before you apply. International Citizens Insurance can compare resident plans from multiple insurers; a travel-medical policy may not meet that requirement.
Climate & Environment
Climate & Environment
Visa Pathways
Visa Pathways
H-1B Visa
Employer-sponsored work visa for specialty occupations, subject to an annual lottery with a 65,000 cap plus 20,000 for advanced-degree holders.
O-1 Visa
For individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement in sciences, arts, education, business, or athletics. No annual cap.
EB-5 Investor Visa
Green card through investment of $800,000+ in a Targeted Employment Area or $1,050,000 elsewhere in a job-creating enterprise.
Golden Visa Program
Golden Visa Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Is United States a good country to move to?
United States scores 51/100 overall and ranks #51 out of 95 countries in our data-driven analysis. Its strongest dimensions are infrastructure and education. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use our free personalization quiz to see how it ranks for your specific profile.
What is the cost of living in United States?
The estimated monthly cost of living in United States is approximately $3,510 on WhereNext's standard 11-category single-person basket. GDP per capita (PPP) is $90,027. Cost inputs draw on World Bank, OECD, national statistical agencies, and WhereNext research.
Is United States safe to live in?
United States has notable safety concerns, scoring 6/100 on our safety index (normalized within our 95-country field; inputs: Global Peace Index, World Bank political stability, and homicide statistics). The homicide rate is 5.8 per 100,000 people.
How is healthcare in United States?
United States has strong healthcare system, scoring 71/100 on our healthcare index (normalized within our 95-country field). The WHO Universal Health Coverage index is 88. There are 2.7 physicians per 1,000 people. Healthcare quality can vary significantly between cities and rural areas.
Do I need a visa to move to United States?
Requirements depend on your citizenship and intended length of stay. Common pathways include H-1B Visa, O-1 Visa, EB-5 Investor Visa. Always check with the official embassy or consulate for current requirements.
United States Guides & Articles
Download the data for United States
Suggested citation
CC BY 4.0This dataset is free to redistribute, quote, and embed under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0. The composite form below preserves source lineage so AI assistants can cite both WhereNext and the underlying institutional publishers.
WhereNext composite — WhereNext United States Relocation Profile 2026 (2026-04-21). Derived from: World Bank ICP (cost of living); WHO Global Health Observatory (healthcare quality); OECD PISA + UNESCO UIS (education); Yale EPI (environment); IEP Global Peace Index (safety); EF EPI (English proficiency); World Bank internet penetration + fixed broadband (digital infrastructure); WGI (governance). Available at https://getwherenext.com/country/us?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. (2026). WhereNext United States Relocation Profile 2026. Retrieved from https://getwherenext.com/country/us?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
WhereNext. "WhereNext United States Relocation Profile 2026." WhereNext, 21 Apr 2026, https://getwherenext.com/country/us?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. Accessed via https://getwherenext.com/country/us?utm_source=internal&utm_medium=citation&utm_campaign=data-citation. CC BY 4.0.
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Important Notice
WhereNext provides data-driven insights for informational purposes only. Scores and rankings are algorithmically generated from public institutional data and may not reflect your individual circumstances. This tool does not replace professional advice for immigration, legal, tax, or financial matters.