A deep job market, rising incomes and top universities, with visa routes that need planning, health insurance to budget for and tax duties to understand. A practical way to decide whether the USA fits you.
In brief
The USA offers one of the deepest job markets in the world, record household incomes (a real median of USD 87,460 in 2025) and a wide choice of states and cities. In the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 ranking it sits 20th of 31 destinations, which is a reminder that settling in takes work. What to plan for: the visa route, which depends on your situation and changes often, health insurance, and tax and reporting duties. Figures below are dated 7 November 2026 and come from press, law-firm and Census summaries; confirm what you rely on with USCIS, the State Department and an immigration lawyer.
What moving to the USA gives you
- Incomes and opportunity. The Census Bureau reported a real median household income of USD 87,460 in 2025, the highest on record, up 2.6% from the year before. For specialists in technology, medicine, finance and engineering, the market is wide and varied across states.
- Choice of place. States differ strongly in climate, taxes, housing and lifestyle, so you can match the place to your life instead of accepting one national model. Compare regional price levels before choosing; one 2026 ranking puts Hawaii at the top of a cost-of-living index, and the Bureau of Economic Analysis publishes regional price parities that are a better starting point.
- Universities and research. Strong universities and a large research and start-up ecosystem attract students and specialists from everywhere.
- Several legal routes. Employment-based categories, family sponsorship, investor routes and the diversity lottery all exist. Which one is realistic depends on your profession, relatives and capital.
- A deep consumer and services market. For entrepreneurs, the size of the domestic market and access to capital are real advantages.
What to prepare for
- The visa route. For employment, the H-1B has a USD 100,000 payment requirement under a proclamation signed in September 2025 and extended on 18 September 2026 to 21 September 2027, but a federal court vacated the implementing policies on 8 June 2026 and an appeal is pending, so the situation is fluid. EB-5 investor routes require USD 800,000 in a targeted employment area or USD 1,050,000 otherwise; a USD 1.4 million tier is only a proposal. Employment-based green card waits vary by category and country; EB-2 was reported current for all countries except India and China from spring 2026, with warnings of retrogression. The practical answer is to book a consultation with an immigration lawyer before you sell anything or resign.
- Health insurance. Without employer cover, an individual marketplace plan averaged about USD 741 a month unsubsidised in 2026 (up from 619), with an average deductible of USD 3,786; 87% of enrollees received subsidies. People who are only waiting for a green card cannot use the Marketplace. The practical answer is to get employer cover, a short-term plan or a plan suited to your status, and to budget for deductibles from the first month.
- Taxes and reporting. The USA taxes residents on worldwide income, and new residents with accounts abroad must look at reporting duties such as the foreign bank account report (FBAR). The practical answer is to hire a tax adviser in your first year, and to keep records of your accounts abroad from the day you arrive.
- Credit history and renting. A new arrival has no credit history. The practical answer is a secured card, a landlord who accepts a larger deposit and a bank that opens accounts with your status; policies differ by bank.
- Distances and cars. Outside a few cities daily life needs a car. Plan a driving licence and insurance in your first month.
Who the USA suits, and who may prefer another country
- Specialists with an employer who sponsors them and understands the visa route.
- Entrepreneurs and investors with capital and an adviser.
- Students, who start with a student visa and plan the next step early.
- Families with a relative who can sponsor them.
It is less natural if you cannot yet name a visa route, if you want a low-cost base, or if health insurance and visa uncertainty are hard to accept. Then compare Canada-style or European options with the self-test in how to choose a country.
Your first 90 days
- Days 1-30: follow the first 30 days in the USA checklist: address, bank, insurance, Social Security number if you are eligible, driving licence.
- Days 31-60: set up your tax adviser, build your credit with a secured card and learn the local rental market.
- Days 61-90: review the visa timeline with your lawyer, confirm health cover and decide on the city for the next year.
If you are unsure, test with a visit first using trial year abroad.
How a property purchase fits
Foreigners can buy property in the USA without a general ban, but financing is harder without a credit history and title companies and banks screen buyers. Most newcomers rent for a year first. If you plan to use crypto, read how a purchase with crypto works in the USA, and for the property market at the top end see the most expensive and unusual US properties.
Next steps
Read the overview should you move abroad, run the self-test and talk to an immigration lawyer about your route. This article is general information, not legal or tax advice. Rules for citizens of Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine, state tax comparisons and school quality were not researched for this article.
FAQ
Is the USA easy to move to? It depends on the route. Employment, family and investor categories each have their own thresholds and waits, and rules change often, so start with an immigration lawyer.
How much does health insurance cost? Without employer cover, an individual marketplace plan averaged about USD 741 a month unsubsidised in 2026, with an average deductible of USD 3,786. People waiting for a green card cannot use the Marketplace, so check which plans fit your status.
Is the H-1B worth planning around? It depends on the current rules. A USD 100,000 payment requirement was extended to 21 September 2027, but a court vacated the implementing policies in June 2026 and an appeal is pending, so ask a lawyer for the situation on the day you apply.
What does EB-5 require? USD 800,000 in a targeted employment area or USD 1,050,000 otherwise. A USD 1.4 million tier has been proposed but is not a rule.
Do I pay tax in the USA on income from abroad? The USA taxes residents on worldwide income, and reports such as the foreign bank account report may apply, so hire a tax adviser in your first year.