A guide to the cost of living in the United States (2023)

Have you ever dreamed of moving to the United States and living the American dream? The dream that you can be and do anything you set your mind to. With many lively cities to choose from, you’re bound to find somewhere to settle that truly suits your lifestyle.

But before you start booking your flights, you’ve got to do your research – starting with the cost of living in the US. In this article, we’ll walk you through some of the common costs associated with different American cities. If by the end of it, you’re still intent on making a move, don’t forget us when you do! WorldRemit is here to make it easier for you to send international money transfers back home. Plus, there’s a wealth of financial knowledge you can find elsewhere on our blog.

The cost of living in the US versus other countries

*without rent

All data sourced from Numbeo.com

Average cost of living in the US per month

As you can imagine, your cost of living in the United States will vary widely depending on how many people you need to support. If you’re single and have low outgoings, then your situation will be very different from a family of three.

According to Numbeo.com, a single person’s estimated costs are (USD) $969.24 without rent. A family of four will find their costs increase significantly to about $3,446.64 a month without rent. Not to mention that a three-bedroom apartment in the city centre will set you back about $2,742.35, whereas a one-bedroom is only $1,670.78.

Average cost of living in the US by city

Another variable that you might want to consider is which specific city you’ll be moving to. There are hundreds to choose from – but only you can decide which is right for you and your family.

Now let’s look at the cost of living in the US by city!

The cost of living in New York

New York City is by far one of the most popular cities in the United States. It’s also a haven for people of many different professions. If you work in finance, for example, you may be instantly attracted to the opportunities afforded to you on Wall Street. Or, if you work in advertising and marketing, then Madison Avenue will be like a second home for you.

Perhaps it’s not the work life that you’re after – just a city that’s full of many different cultures and all the various cuisines that come with them! No matter what makes you say “I love New York!”, you’ll do well to check out the cost of living there before you make the big move.

All data sourced by Numbeo.com

The cost of living in Los Angeles

Dreaming of a life on the big screen? Or maybe a career behind the scenes? Then “Hollywood” should be your final destination! And, even if you haven’t quite made it to the big time yet, the service industry in Los Angeles is huge – serving up tons of opportunities to work while you look for a more permanent position.

Best of all, you’re only a stone’s throw away from the famous Napa Valley wine region, as well as some of the best sun and surf that California can offer you. Here’s what life in the sun will cost you.

All data sourced by Numbeo.com

The cost of living in Miami

California isn’t the only place where the weather report is favourable. Miami, Florida, is a little Southern gem on the coast that’s also a great destination for people who like to cruise, as it’s a port city.

It follows, of course, that tourism is one of the biggest industries there. Along with finance and telecommunications – Miami is an important centre for Spanish language communications. So, if you’re bilingual, you’ll be able to flex your skills there!

Here’s what the cost of living in Miami looks like.

All data sourced by Numbeo.com

The cost of living in Las Vegas

It’s the location of choice of many Hollywood movies, in part because “Sin City” takes on a life of its own in after hours. But there’s more to this town than gambling, tourism and entertainment.

Nevada is also home to many mining operations, agriculture and manufacturing plants. Those of you who have a degree in a STEM subject may be right at home here.

Here’s what it costs to live in Las Vegas.

All data sourced by Numbeo.com

The cost of living in Phoenix

Phoenix may not be the first choice that comes to mind when you think of large American cities. But Arizona is home to many natural wonders, including the Grand Canyon and the Colorado River. So if you’re an intrepid type that likes rock climbing and white water rafting, this could be an option for you and your family.

It also helps if you’re in real estate, as the housing market is booming there. Here’s a breakdown of the cost of living in Phoenix.

All data sourced by Numbeo.com

The cost of living in Dallas

Texas is one of the biggest states in the United States – it’s even bigger than some countries! And inside of the Lone Star State, you’ll find Dallas, a thriving, metropolitan city that’s home to urban sprawl.

Dallas is also well-connected to the rest of the States, as it has its own airport, so you won’t be stuck there if you do want to travel around. In addition to a bustling restaurant scene, it also has an artistic centre too, so you can immerse yourself in culture.

Let’s look at the cost of living in Dallas.

All data sourced by Numbeo.com

The cost of living in Atlanta

Atlanta is a popular destination for its many tourist attractions, but you may also have heard of it because of its important place in Civil Rights history.

In the last few years, it’s become a growing hub for the entertainment industry (outside of Hollywood), as many films and TV shows are shot in Georgia. But it’s also a haven for more traditional industries like finance, healthcare and manufacturing.

Here’s what the cost of living in Atlanta looks like.

All data sourced by Numbeo.com

The cost of living in Chicago

With 77 neighbourhoods to choose from, Chicago really does have it all: city skyscrapers and natural beauty to boot. It’s home to over 60 museums, so you’re unlikely to get bored during your time there!

And once you’ve had your fill of the famous deep-dish pizza, you can choose from 25 Michelin-starred eateries in the Chicago area. Naturally, it pays to be a sports fan here with the Chicago Cubs and Chicago Bears attracting large audiences from around the country.

Wondering what it costs to live in Chicago? Look no further.

All data sourced by Numbeo.com

The cheapest states to live in the US

If the big city life doesn’t really draw you in, you might be right at home in some of the other states with a much lower cost of living. Many of these states are located in the South, where Southern hospitality reigns supreme – so don’t be surprised if people smile and say ‘hello’ to you as you’re passing through!

Here are the top five cheapest states to live in, according to the World Population Review:

1. Mississippi - The cost of living in Mississippi is 17% lower on average than the rest of the United States. Its transportation costs are also particularly low, which combined with cheaper rent makes it an attractive place to live. The only drawback you may find is that even its biggest cities, like Jackson and Gulfport, are a fraction of the population size of some of the others we’ve placed on our lists above. But if you like your alone time, then maybe a house in the country doesn’t sound so bad!

2. Kansas - The living wage for a family of four in Kansas is close to $90,000. And with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country, finding a job that sustains this lifestyle shouldn’t be too difficult! Even though Topeka is the state’s capital, you’ll find more people in its largest city – Wichita. Home to rolling prairies (and the bison that live there), you’ll find a sense of calm amongst the natural beauty of Kansas.

3. Alabama - Housing in this state is second only to Mississippi. A single family’s house will cost around $170,184. Hunstsvilla, Birmingham and Montgomery make up its largest cities, where you’ll find zoos, state parks and even a space centre.

4. Oklahoma - With a fast-growing economy and some of the best barbecue in the States, Oklahoma may be an attractive place to live. You may also find that necessities like groceries and healthcare are also much cheaper than in other states. You also have a choice of medium-sized cities like Oklahoma City and Tulsa in which to settle.

5. Tennessee - Tennessee is a great place to live if you’ve got rock ‘n’ roll in your soul. This state is popular for its role in developing many great blues, country and rock artists, as well as the ever-popular “Music City”, Nashville. Housing there is 21% cheaper than the average US state, and the living wage there comes to just under $79,000 a year.

Most expensive states and cities in the US

Now that we’ve covered the states with the cheapest cost of living, we need to take a look at the states with the highest cost of living, according to the World Population Review. You may be attracted to these states because of their laidback lifestyles and big cities, but all of that will, understandably, come at a cost to you and your family.

1. Hawaii - 2,000 miles from the US mainland lies this island paradise, which is dominated by a plantation economy. While Hawaii has one of the highest costs of living in the States, it’s also the third wealthiest state. Despite being a small collection of islands, it has a relatively large population for its size at 1.42 million people.

2. New York - You may not be surprised to find that the world-famous New York City is the most populous city in the United States. It has been described as the cultural, financial and media capital of the world. But beyond that, the state itself has a very diverse population due to it being a centre for immigration in the past – and little has changed since then! Housing is particularly expensive there, so it has the lowest rate of home ownership in the country.

3. California - California is home to some of the most popular cities in the United States – Los Angeles, San Francisco and San Diego. San Francisco is, in particular, a tech haven where many Fortune 500 companies are based. But with that opportunity, comes a price in the form of housing. Many of these cities are vastly overcrowded and space comes at a premium, particularly if you’re looking for somewhere big enough for a family of four.

4. Massachusetts - Another city where space comes at premium is the populous “college town”, Boston. Much like San Francisco, Boston is also a popular location for tech companies who want to attract top graduates from world-renowned schools like the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard. This populous state has one of the highest living wages in the United States, but despite that, it does also have a relatively low poverty level.

5. Oregon - While utilities are cheap in Oregon, housing costs can be unaffordable for some families. A typical, single-family home in Oregon will set you back about $447,968. Although there is one bit of silver-lining – while costs are high, salaries are also much higher in Oregon as well. You may have luck finding work in agriculture or commercial fishing there. Or you could move to one of its biggest cities, Portland, to find work in manufacturing.

What is the average cost of rent in the US?

With all this talk about affordable or unaffordable housing, you may be wondering what the average rent costs are in the United States. This helpful chart will break it down for you by major city and by the United States in general.

All data provided by Numbeo

What is the average salary in the US?

As part of the “American Dream”, many people may immigrate to the United States for all of the job prospects they may find there. So you may also be wondering – what is the average salary in the US? Here we’ll break down the average salary by industry. Is yours not on this list? Find more on Statista.

What is the average cost of healthcare in the US?

Healthcare can be one of the biggest costs you might anticipate when you first move to the United States. It can be a little difficult to assess the average cost of healthcare in part because those costs vary a lot from person to person, depending on your location, age, and any other pre-existing conditions you may have.

If you are moving to the United States, it’s highly advisable that you get covered with a health insurance plan. Here’s what most of the average health insurance plan costs – a bill of which, typically, employers will cover three quarters.

All data provided by William Russell.

What is the average cost of education in the US?

Public schools are free in the US, however, higher education will cost you. The average cost for education in the United States from 2021 to 2022 for university-level schooling was around $37,080. You’ll pay less for in-state tuition, so that may be a factor you’ll want to consider not only in where you move to but also where your children apply to.

Here’s what each state’s tuition looks like on average, according to Business Insider.

Save money on the cost of living in the US

Are you ready to move to the US yet, now that you know what the cost of living might look like? As you can see, the cost of living (if you’re not careful) can be pretty high. But by choosing the state you live in by its costs, as well as its standard of living, you can help keep costs low.

For more money-saving tips, see our previous blog on this topic. Or, if you’re a student, you can check out our tips for keeping costs down while studying abroad.

And, of course, for any of your money transfer needs, WorldRemit is here. You can always transfer money between your own personal accounts while you are getting set up in a new country. 95% of our transfers arrive within minutes, so you won’t need to play the waiting game with us.

Cost of living in the US: FAQ

What is a good salary in the US?

What is considered a good salary can vary widely depending on the cost of living in the state that you live in. The median living wage for one person in New York City is around $25.42. For Las Vegas, it’s about $15.90. Los Angeles is set at $21.89. As discussed earlier, you can live on less in cheaper states like Oklahoma. The living wage in Tulsa is about $15.65. (Data supplied by MIT’s Living Wage calculator.)

Is it cheaper to live in the UK or in the US?

If you’re deciding between two popular western countries, the United Kingdom might have also made your list of possible immigration destinations. The cost of consumer prices excluding rent in the UK are 11.71% lower than in the US. Rent is also cheaper at 31.57% lower than in the US. This is a good thing as salaries tend to be a little bit lower than in the United States as well. (Data supplied by Numbeo.com.)

How much do groceries cost in the US?

It’s not all rent and education prices that you might be worried about in the US. You might also wonder what the average grocery haul might cost you in the United States.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the average cost of groceries per month for US households is $4,942. However, the average cost can be different depending on the household.

This communication is intended for marketing purposes only and does not constitute or provide legal advice.

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