United States
Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index 2026 · CC BY 4.0
Worth Considering — strongest in infrastructure and healthcare.
83% data coverage·340.1M population·Public-domain data
Per-field freshness (5 dimensions)
United States at a glance
Quick answer
United States ranks #39 of 95 countries on the WhereNext composite score (53/100), with strongest scores in infrastructure and education and watch areas in affordability and lifestyle. Estimated 2026 single-person cost of living in United States is around $3,000/month. Composite score uses 7 dimensions (cost, safety, healthcare, education, career, lifestyle, infrastructure) sourced from World Bank ICP, UNDP HDI, IEP Global Peace Index, OECD PISA, and EF EPI.
Last updated: May 2026 · 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 #39 of 95 composite score 53/100 across the WhereNext 7-dimension framework.
- ~$3,000/mo estimated single-person cost of living, including rent, utilities, food, and transport.
- Strongest: Infrastructure 98/100 normalized — top strength out of 7 dimensions.
- Watch area: Affordability 38/100 — lowest dimension; verify against your priorities.
- Coverage: 83% of dimensions population 340.1M · public-domain data sources (World Bank, UNDP, IEP, OECD, EF EPI).
Composite score
On par with peers
- United States
- 53/100
- North America avg
- 50/100
- Global avg
- 47/100
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. Grey bar = US median; primary-green = destination median; amber appears only when the destination is MORE expensive than the US (rare for healthcare).
Verified · WhereNext healthcare-cost dataset
Private ins./mo
GP visit
Specialist visit
ER visit
Dental cleaning
| Line item | Country | Local range | US median | 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
Most country guides only sell the upside. These are the specific triggers that mean United States is probably not for you — drawn from recurring expat complaints and verified policy realities.
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?
Community density signals — quant + qualitative. Loneliness is a top-three relocation-failure factor; this section flags whether United States has the expat scene to match your profile.
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
What recurring expats complain about
“Geographic mobility is so high that local social circles re-form every 2-3 years; deep roots are harder to put down than in Europe.”
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
7 dimensions of safety, each scored separately so a single weak axis doesn’t drag the cross-dimensional view. Per Global Peace Index + WHO + national crime statistics.
GPI 2025verified Apr 2026HDR 2024 (HDI 2023 data)verified Apr 2026- 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
World-class emergency / trauma capability in major cities.
- Moderate
Terrorism risk
Periodic incidents; standard urban awareness advised.
National averages only. Within-country variation is large — Mexico City vs Mérida differ massively. 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 against 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 · Last verified 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.
Tax rates and special regimes · Source: OECD Tax Database + national tax authority publications + treaty texts · Last verified 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 institutional data: World Bank (cost, governance), WHO (healthcare), OECD PISA (education), Global Peace Index (safety), Open-Meteo (climate), and 22 more — not crowdsourced surveys. See the full methodology.
$3,000
Moderate Value
5.8 homicides per 100k
UHC index: 88
3 pathways
H-1B Visa
Avg 14°C / 57°F
GDP/capita PPP: $85,810
$46,972/yr
15.7 months of local costs · 2023
Key Caution
Affordability scores 38/100, which is 26 points below the global average. Research this area carefully before committing.
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The honest take
What's great
- Infrastructure — scored 98/100(well above average)
- Education — scored 80/100(well above average)
- Healthcare — scored 75/100(well above average)
Watch out for
- Affordability — scored 38/100(26 below average)
- Lifestyle — scored 60/100(2 below average)
Is this place viable for you?
Quick decision check — United States
Strengths
- Infrastructure98/100
- Education80/100
- Healthcare75/100
Likely blockers
Cost 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
Austin
New York
San Francisco
All 4 Cities in United States
Tradeoffs and Risks
Every country has tradeoffs. Here is what the data shows.
What works well
Areas to research
Regional comparison
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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- public-domain data
- free to start
- 30-day brief guarantee
United States advisor intro
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About United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic consisting of 50 states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 contiguous states border Canada to the north and Mexico to the south, with the semi-exclave of Alaska in the northwest and the archipelago of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The United States also asserts sovereignty over five major island territories and various uninhabited islands in Oceania and the Caribbean. It is a megadiverse country, with the world's third-largest land area and third-largest population, exceeding 341 million.
Deep Research
Detailed data for thorough due diligence. Expand any section below.
Quick Facts
Quick Facts
Capital
Washington, D.C.
Population
340.1M
Region
North America
Languages
English
Currency
US Dollar (USD)
Timezone
Multiple (UTC-10 to -4)
GDP per capita (PPP)
$85,810
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
Climate & Environment
Climate & Environment
Average temperature
13.8°C / 57°F
Annual rainfall
1140 mm
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.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is United States a good country to move to?
United States scores 53/100 overall and ranks #39 out of 95 countries in our data-driven analysis. It excels in infrastructure and healthcare. 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 $3,000 for a single person with a moderate lifestyle. This is calibrated against a US baseline of ~$3,000/month. GDP per capita (PPP) is $85,810. Cost data is sourced from World Bank, and national statistical agencies.
Is United States safe to live in?
United States is relatively safe, scoring 73/100 on our safety index. This score combines the Global Peace Index, political stability data from the World Bank, and homicide rate statistics. The homicide rate is 5.8 per 100,000 people.
How is healthcare in United States?
United States has strong healthcare system, scoring 77/100. 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?
Visa requirements for United States depend on your citizenship and intended length of stay. United States offers various visa categories including tourist, work, and residence permits. 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
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 Doing Business + WGI (governance, infrastructure). 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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Next step
Anchor United States as your destination. Visa, cost, healthcare, and school tools inherit the same context so you don't re-enter it.
Essentials for moving to United States
Two recurring questions in every relocation case: medical cover when local insurance hasn't kicked in yet, and how to pay or receive money across currencies without the typical 4% bank-card markup. Defaults we'd pick first.
Health insurance abroad
Travel medical insurance for nomads + relocators
Monthly subscription medical insurance that covers 180+ countries. No commitment; cancel anytime. The default pick if you're moving abroad without an employer plan.
Cross-border money + banking
Real exchange rates + multi-currency account
Hold 40+ currencies, send money at the mid-market rate, get local bank details in USD/EUR/GBP. The default pick for cross-border payments and saving on FX fees while you set up local banking.
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.