🇺🇸 United States Relocation Data 2026
Key statistics for expats and relocators
Data updated · Region: Americas · Free with attribution (CC BY 4.0)
Overall Score
51/100
Global Rank
#51/95
Est. Monthly Cost
$3,000
Dimension Breakdown
Confidence: 88%. Scores weighted using default quality-of-life profile. Source: WhereNext Global Relocation Index, compiled from institutional datasets (World Bank, WHO, GPI, OECD, EF EPI).
Cost of Living Breakdown
| Category | Affordability Index | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Groceries | 42/100 | Expensive |
| Rent | 28/100 | Expensive |
| Property Purchase | 28/100 | Expensive |
| Utilities | 28/100 | Expensive |
| Transport | 42/100 | Expensive |
| Overall (composite) | 82 | higher = more expensive |
Sub-indexes: higher = more affordable. Overall index: higher = more expensive. Estimated solo monthly cost: $3,000 USD (calibrated so US index 82 = ~$3,000/mo).
Top Cities in United States
| City | Est. Monthly Cost | Cost Index | Safety |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | $3,000 | 82 | 39 |
| Austin | $3,000 | 82 | 39 |
| Denver | $3,000 | 82 | 39 |
| San Francisco | $3,500 | 95 | 62 |
Tax Overview
| Tax Type | Rate |
|---|---|
| Top Income Tax Rate | 37% |
| VAT / GST | 0% |
| Corporate Tax | 21% |
| Effective Rate at $60K | 8.4% |
Special Tax Regimes
- FEIE ($132,900 foreign earned income exclusion)
- State-level variation (0-13.3%)
No federal VAT. State taxes vary dramatically.
Effective Tax by Income Tier (Salary)
| Gross Income (USD) | Effective Rate | Monthly Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| $50,000 | 15% | $3,530 |
| $100,000 | 21% | $6,598 |
| $200,000 | 25% | $12,429 |
Estimated for a single-filer resident on salary income. Includes income tax + social contributions. Actual liability varies by residency status, treaties, and deductions. Sources: OECD Tax Database, Deloitte Tax Guides.
Visa Access by Passport
| Passport | Access Level | Max Stay (days) | Work Allowed | Nomad Visa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇺🇸 United States | Visa Required | Unlimited | No | No |
| 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇨🇦 Canada | Visa-Free | 180 | No | No |
| 🇦🇺 Australia | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
| 🇩🇪 Germany | Visa-Free | 90 | No | No |
Visa data for tourist/short-stay access. Work permits and long-term residency require separate applications. Source: WhereNext visa requirements database (73 passports mapped).
Key Facts
| Capital | Washington, D.C. |
| Population | 331 Million |
| Currency | US Dollar (USD) |
| Languages | English |
| Region | North America |
| Timezone | Multiple (UTC-10 to -4) |
| English Proficiency | Native |
How to Cite
WhereNext. "United States Relocation Data 2026." WhereNext Open Data, 2026-04-12. https://getwherenext.com/data/country/us. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.