Country Guide Living in United States as an Expat
0 businesses across 6 cities — curated by the expat community
Settling in the United States
The United States takes in more immigrants than any other country, and almost none of the practical work of arriving is handled for you. There is no national registration office, no assigned caseworker, and no single list of what to do first. What there is instead is a dense private market of immigration attorneys, relocation agents, rental brokers and tax preparers, which is exactly what this directory indexes.
The first weeks turn on three documents. A Social Security number, which most work visas make you eligible for and which almost every other institution asks to see. A state driver license or state ID, which is the identity document Americans actually use day to day and which is issued by the state rather than the federal government. And proof of address, which banks and utilities want and which is circular for a new arrival, since the lease usually wants the bank account first. Working with an agent who has solved that loop before is worth more than it looks.
Health insurance is the cost that surprises people most. There is no public system for new arrivals, employer coverage typically starts on a fixed date rather than on arrival, and a gap of even a few weeks carries real financial exposure. Budget for private cover from the day you land, and treat the insurance broker listings as a first-week task rather than a later one.
Costs vary more within the United States than between many countries. Rent, state income tax, car insurance and health premiums all change at the state line, and a salary that is comfortable in Houston or Atlanta is tight in San Diego. Comparing specific cities before committing is the single highest-value thing a newcomer can do, which is what the cost of living tools here are for.
Expat cities in United States
Atlanta
Southeast Hub
Airport to everywhere
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Houston
Most Diverse Metro
Energy jobs, no state income tax
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Miami
Latin Gateway
Bilingual business hub
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Orlando
Central Florida
Fast-growing and affordable
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Phoenix
Desert Metro
Sun, space and low taxes
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San Diego
Border City
Pacific coast, Baja next door
0 businessesFrequently asked about living in United States
What visa options are there for moving to the United States? +
The common employment routes are the H-1B for specialty occupations, the O-1 for people with extraordinary ability, the L-1 for intra-company transfers, the E-2 for investors from treaty countries, and the TN for Canadian and Mexican professionals under USMCA. Family sponsorship and the Diversity Visa lottery are the main non-employment routes. The United States does not offer a digital nomad visa, and working remotely for a foreign employer while on a tourist visa is not permitted. Requirements change often, so confirm current rules with a licensed immigration attorney.
How much does it cost to live in the United States? +
Enormously variable by city and state. A comfortable single-person budget runs roughly $2,500 to $3,500 a month in cities like Houston, Atlanta, Phoenix or Orlando, and $4,500 or more in San Diego, Boston or the Bay Area. The costs that catch newcomers out are health insurance, car ownership including insurance, and state income tax, which ranges from zero in Texas and Florida to over 10 percent in California.
Do I need health insurance as a new arrival in the United States? +
Effectively yes. There is no public system available to most new arrivals, and a single emergency room visit without cover can run into five figures. Employer plans usually begin on a set start date rather than on your arrival date, so arrange private or travel medical cover for the gap. Insurance brokers listed on this site handle exactly this situation.
How do I open a US bank account as a newcomer? +
Most major banks will open an account for a non-citizen with a passport, a visa, and proof of a US address. Some accept an ITIN or passport alone where a Social Security number has not been issued yet. The common obstacle is proof of address before you have a lease, so ask the bank which documents it accepts before choosing one, and expect to visit a branch in person rather than applying online.
Can I drive in the United States on my existing licence? +
Usually for a limited period, which is set by the state and not by the federal government, and is often between 30 days and one year. An International Driving Permit alongside your home licence is widely accepted in that window. After it, you need a licence from the state you live in, which generally means a written test and sometimes a road test. Car insurance is mandatory and is priced partly on your local driving history, so expect high premiums in the first year.
