Moving to United States: your relocation checklist
How to move to United States: the visa and residency routes, cost of living, banking, healthcare and taxes you'll deal with, organized by phase. Generate a free plan tailored to your passport, family, and budget below.
The average advertised salary is about $81,656 a year and English proficiency is rated “native” (EF EPI).
Budgeting the move? See the cost of living in United States.
United States at a glance
Live and regularly refreshed data, each fact with its source.
Climate · Washington, D.C.
Jan -2° · Jul 27°
Open-Meteo
Air quality · Washington, D.C.
AQI 45 · Good
WAQI
Internet
~250 Mbps median
Ookla
Messengers
No known issues
OONI, 6 months to July 2026
Foreign-born residents
15.2% of population
World Bank 2024
Population
341.8M
World Bank 2025
Population density
37 / km²
World Bank 2023
Unemployment
4.2%
World Bank 2025
Avg advertised salary
$81,656 / yr
Adzuna, June 2026
English proficiency
native
EF EPI
Safety advisory
Level 1 · Exercise Normal Precautions
U.S. State Dept
Currency
USD
ISO 4217
Timezone
UTC-4
Open-Meteo
No inbound regime (worldwide taxation)
Residents are taxed on worldwide income
No special expat break for arrivals; the US taxes residents (and its citizens everywhere) on worldwide income, with foreign tax credits to offset double taxation.
Verified June 2026 · IRS
Getting set up in United States: key steps & official resources
The main immigration, tax, healthcare and housing bodies you'll deal with, with the official portals and typical costs. Curated and hand-verified — last reviewed June 2026. Figures are approximate; always confirm the current numbers on the official site.
- Immigration/visas run through USCIS (www.uscis.gov); get a Social Security Number (SSN) from the SSA (www.ssa.gov), or an ITIN from the IRS (www.irs.gov) if you're not SSN-eligible but must file taxes.
- There is NO national health system — you need private or employer-sponsored health insurance; medical costs are very high without it.
- You start with no US credit history, which complicates renting and getting cards; a secured card or SSN-linked history helps.
- Main housing portals: Zillow (www.zillow.com), Apartments.com (www.apartments.com), Trulia. Emergency number is 911.
- Key figures (approximate — verify current values): the SSN is free from the SSA; landlords typically want first month + security deposit (often 1 month) and proof of income at 2.5–3× the rent; without US credit history a secured credit card usually needs a $200–500 refundable deposit; marketplace health plans (healthcare.gov) commonly run $400–600+/month per adult without subsidies.
The United States relocation checklist at a glance
1Before you go
- Confirm which visa or residency route fits your situation
- Gather and, where needed, apostille/translate key documents
- Sort out international health insurance for the gap period
- Budget the move and notify your bank of the relocation
2First week
- Register your address with the local authority
- Get a local SIM / mobile number
- Start the local bank account application
- Locate the nearest clinic and pharmacy
3First month
- Complete residency registration and get your ID number
- Enroll in the healthcare system or private insurance
- Set up utilities and a long-term rental contract
- Understand your tax residency obligations
4First 90 days
- Exchange or apply for a local driving license if required
- Build a local support network and language basics
- Review and optimize banking, taxes, and insurance
- Handle school enrollment or childcare if you have kids
This is a general outline. Your personalized plan above adapts every step to where you're moving from, your visa status, and your situation. Always verify official requirements: this is not legal or immigration advice.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move to United States?
It depends on your passport and why you are moving: tourist entry rules are different from working, studying or joining family. Generate a free plan above and we check the visa route for your exact passport and situation, using a 238-country visa matrix.
Does United States have a special tax regime for newcomers?
Yes: No inbound regime (worldwide taxation). Residents are taxed on worldwide income. No special expat break for arrivals; the US taxes residents (and its citizens everywhere) on worldwide income, with foreign tax credits to offset double taxation. Status: active, verified June 2026 against IRS.
What is the weather like in United States?
In Washington, D.C., average daily temperatures run about Jan -2° · Jul 27° (Open-Meteo historical data, 2025). Regional climates can differ a lot; a city-level plan uses data for your exact destination city.
Can I use WhatsApp and Telegram in United States?
Network measurements over the last six months show Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Facebook Messenger working normally in United States (OONI, 5 January 2026 to 7 July 2026). This reflects measured reachability, not an official policy statement.
What do jobs pay in United States?
The average advertised salary is about $81,656 a year (Adzuna job listings, June 2026). For a benchmark role like software engineer, the median advertised band starts around $140,000. Advertised salaries skew toward roles that are posted online, so treat this as a signal, not a guarantee.
How high are taxes on salaries in United States?
The OECD tax wedge is about 30% (2025): that is the share of what a job costs an employer that goes to income tax and social contributions for a single average worker. It is not your personal income-tax rate, but it is the honest way to compare countries.
How current is this data?
Climate, inflation and life expectancy were refreshed 12 July 2026; prices, taxes and air quality 7 July 2026; messenger reachability 7 July 2026. Tax regimes are hand-verified against official government sources. Every fact on this page shows its source.