LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

PROS AND CONS OF LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

The United States suits people who value a large choice of career paths, mobility between states, diverse urban environments and business opportunities. At the same time, adaptation requires financial reserves, an understanding of local rules and readiness to organise housing, insurance, transport and taxes independently.

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

The country’s main feature is the absence of a single everyday model for all regions. Living costs, taxes, transport access and the labour market in New York, Texas, California or the Midwest can differ more than they do between some European countries.

PRICES AND COST OF LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES

The main pressure on a budget usually comes from rent, health insurance, transport and services. In large cities and coastal areas, housing costs considerably more, while outside major metropolitan areas the price of petrol is often joined by car insurance, maintenance and loan or lease payments.

Current prices in the United States show that a one-way local transport ticket costs $2.40, utilities for an 85 m² apartment cost $217.45 and a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs $20. National averages are useful as a guide, but the actual budget always depends on the specific city and housing arrangement.

MAIN LIVING COSTS IN THE UNITED STATES (USD)

TAXES IN THE UNITED STATES

In the United States, the final tax burden consists of federal income tax, mandatory payroll deductions, and state and local taxes where they apply at the place of work or residence. As a result, the same gross salary can produce different net income in different regions.

Federal income tax is progressive. The rates below apply to the taxable annual income of a single taxpayer in 2026 after deductions, rather than to the entire salary amount.

FEDERAL INCOME TAX IN THE UNITED STATES

The standard deduction for a single taxpayer is $16,100 in 2026. Family status, children, employer-provided insurance, pension plans, state tax and local tax make an accurate calculation individual.

MAIN TAXES AND PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS IN THE UNITED STATES

WORK AND SALARIES IN THE UNITED STATES

Income in the United States depends on occupation, state, industry, experience and the form of employment. In a vacancy, it is important to clarify whether the rate is hourly or annual, how many hours are paid, which benefits the employer provides and how much health insurance will cost.

The federal minimum wage in the United States is $7.25 per hour, but an employer must apply the higher state or city rate where it applies to the specific job. In the second quarter of 2026, the median usual weekly income of full-time workers was $1,251 before tax.

The average annual salary across all occupations in the Bureau of Labor Statistics estimate for May 2025 reached $69,770. The highest average figures are typical in technology, finance, medicine, engineering, management and some professional services.

Before starting a job search, it is useful to compare one’s experience with shortage occupations in the United States. Demand for healthcare workers, engineers, drivers, technical specialists and service workers differs particularly strongly between states.

Requirements for documents, employment-contract terms and permission to work in the United States depend on the candidate’s status and the employer.

EDUCATION AND FAMILY LIFE

The American education system includes public and private schools, community colleges, universities and vocational programmes. For a family, it is important to assess the school district, admission rules, transport, childcare costs and health insurance for all family members in advance.

Universities in the United States offer a wide range of programmes and a strong research environment, but tuition can differ substantially between states and between public and private institutions. The choice of city affects not only educational opportunities, but also rent, transport and job availability for parents.

Childcare costs vary considerably by region. Across the country, private full-day preschool already exceeds $1,400 per month per child on average, so a family budget should be calculated separately from an ordinary consumer basket.

HEALTHCARE AND ADAPTATION

In the United States, access to healthcare depends largely on the insurance plan. Before moving, it is important to understand whether insurance is provided by the employer, what part of the premium is paid by the employee, which clinics are in the network and what the deductible is — the amount of spending before insurance coverage begins.

Adaptation is easier when practical matters are resolved in the first weeks: an address, bank account, Social Security number where a person is entitled to one, mobile service, transport and insurance. Rules for driving licences, vehicle registration and local services may differ in every state.

THE FIRST 30 DAYS AFTER MOVING

During the first weeks after moving, it is important to arrange an address, bank account, mobile service, transport, health insurance and work documents. The order of these steps depends on the state, the foreigner’s status and the employer’s terms.

• keep documents confirming the right to live and work, the address and the employment contract;
• clarify the procedure for obtaining a Social Security number if you are entitled to one;
• open a bank account and arrange a local mobile number;
• check the terms of health insurance, the network of clinics and the deductible;
• understand public transport or the costs of a car, insurance and parking;
• clarify the rules for a driving licence, vehicle registration and local taxes.

When taking a job, it is important to check the rate, the number of paid hours, employee status, overtime terms, health benefits, pension plan and the state in which the job is located.

HOW TO CHOOSE A CITY TO LIVE IN

New York, San Francisco, Boston and Seattle offer a wide choice of international vacancies, but require a high housing budget. Austin, Denver, Raleigh and a number of Midwestern cities can offer a calmer balance between income, rent and commuting time.

When choosing a city, compare not only salary and rent, but also state tax, insurance costs, the need for a car, school quality and preschool availability. These differences are reflected in the best cities to live in the United States.

US CITIES FOR RELOCATION

WHAT HAS CHANGED OVER THE LAST YEAR

According to the latest published Bureau of Labor Statistics data, consumer prices in the United States were 3.4% higher in August 2026 than a year earlier. The index rose by 0.4% over the month, with energy and petrol making a noticeable contribution to the overall figure.

For relocation, not only salary but also the employer’s benefits package has become increasingly important: health insurance, a pension plan, paid leave and hybrid work can substantially change the real value of an offer. In a country with different state rules, the same income leaves different disposable funds after rent, tax and insurance.

For families, housing and childcare remain the most sensitive expenses: private preschool already exceeds $1,400 per month per child on average across the country. The choice of city should therefore be based not on an average grocery basket, but on the combination of rent, schools, transport, insurance and the labour market.