Complete breakdown of monthly expenses, salaries by profession, federal & state tax system, healthcare costs, and PPP calculator. For expats and newcomers planning to move to the United States.
Last updated: June 28, 2026 | Next review: December 2026
Monthly Living Expenses in the USA (MCOL City)
For a couple (2 adults). All amounts in USD. Based on BLS, Census Bureau, real 2026 data, and expat reports. MCOL = medium cost of living.
Important: These figures are monthly expenses (after-tax spending). The USA has enormous cost-of-living variation by state and city. An apartment in San Francisco can cost 4x what it does in Memphis. We show MCOL (e.g., Austin, Denver, Charlotte) as a baseline with notes on HCOL (NYC, SF, Boston) differences.
~3,800
USD/month (MCOL low)
Frugal couple in mid-cost city
~6,500
USD/month (MCOL comfortable)
Comfortable lifestyle
~5,200
USD gross needed (low)
Gross salary to cover low-end expenses
~63,000
USD median household
US median household income (2026)
Category
Item
Low (USD)
High (USD)
Notes
Housing
Rent (1-bed apartment)
1,200
2,000
MCOL city; HCOL cities (NYC, SF) can be $2,800-$4,500+
Utilities (electric, gas, water)
150
250
Varies hugely by climate (AC in summer, heating in winter)
Average new car payment ~$730; used cars more affordable
Car insurance (2 drivers)
150
300
Varies wildly by state, age, driving record
Gas
100
200
National avg ~$3.50/gallon; CA/NY higher
Parking / tolls
0
150
Free in suburbs; $200-400/mo garage in NYC/SF
Transport subtotal
550
1,200
Health Insurance
Health insurance premiums (employer plan, employee share)
200
500
Employer typically pays 70-80%; shown is employee portion for couple
Out-of-pocket (copays, prescriptions)
50
200
Depends on plan; HSA-eligible plans have higher deductibles
Health subtotal
250
700
Personal & Lifestyle
Clothes
100
250
TJ Maxx, Target, Amazon; wide range
Personal care
80
150
Haircuts $20-60; toiletries, gym membership
Gym / fitness
30
100
Planet Fitness $10-25/mo; boutique gyms $100-200
Subscriptions & entertainment
50
150
Netflix, Spotify, streaming; movies $12-18/ticket
Household supplies
50
100
Cleaning products, small items
Personal subtotal
310
750
Savings & Miscellaneous
Emergency fund / savings
200
500
Financial advisors recommend 20% of income
Savings subtotal
200
500
TOTAL MONTHLY EXPENSES
~3,385
~6,730
Realistic range: $3,800 - $6,500 with buffer
Salaries by Profession in the USA
Annual gross salaries in USD. Data from BLS, Glassdoor, Levels.fyi 2026. Shown as monthly gross for comparison.
Salary structure: American salaries are typically quoted as annual figures. Many tech companies offer additional stock (RSUs), signing bonuses, and annual bonuses on top of base salary. The figures below show base salary only. Total compensation (TC) in tech can be 30-100% higher.
Surgeon
$30,000/mo
Physician
$22,000/mo
Software Engineer (Sr)
$18,000/mo
Dentist
$17,000/mo
Data Scientist
$15,000/mo
Lawyer
$14,000/mo
Pharmacist
$13,000/mo
Mechanical Engineer
$11,000/mo
Marketing Manager
$10,500/mo
Accountant (CPA)
$9,000/mo
Registered Nurse
$8,500/mo
Teacher (K-12)
$6,500/mo
Police Officer
$6,500/mo
Electrician
$6,000/mo
Administrative Assistant
$4,500/mo
Restaurant Server
$3,500/mo
Retail Worker
$3,000/mo
Minimum wage (2026): The federal minimum wage remains $7.25/hour, but most states set higher rates. California: $16.50/hr, Washington: $16.66/hr, New York: $16.00/hr. Many major cities have $15-18/hr minimums. Tipped workers can have a lower base wage ($2.13 federal) with tips expected to make up the difference.
US Tax System (Federal + State + FICA)
The US has a layered tax system: federal income tax, state income tax (varies by state), FICA (Social Security + Medicare). Updated for 2026 tax year.
Federal Income Tax Brackets (Single Filer)
Annual Taxable Income (USD)
Tax Rate
Notes
$0 - $11,925
10%
Lowest bracket
$11,926 - $48,475
12%
Most common bracket for median earners
$48,476 - $103,350
22%
Middle class bracket
$103,351 - $197,300
24%
$197,301 - $250,525
32%
$250,526 - $626,350
35%
High earners
$626,351+
37%
Top marginal rate
FICA Taxes (Social Security & Medicare)
Tax
Employee Rate
Employer Rate
Wage Cap
Notes
Social Security (OASDI)
6.2%
6.2%
$168,600
No tax on wages above cap
Medicare
1.45%
1.45%
No cap
Additional 0.9% on wages over $200K (single)
State Income Tax (Selected States)
State
Income Tax Rate
Notes
Texas
0%
No state income tax; higher property taxes
Florida
0%
No state income tax; no estate tax
Washington
0%
No income tax; high sales tax (~10%)
Nevada
0%
No income tax
Tennessee
0%
No income tax (since 2021)
Colorado
4.4%
Flat rate
Illinois
4.95%
Flat rate
New York
4% - 10.9%
Progressive; NYC adds 3.078-3.876% city tax
California
1% - 13.3%
Highest state tax in the US; 13.3% top rate
New Jersey
1.4% - 10.75%
Progressive; high property taxes too
Net Salary Calculator
Quick Reference: Net Pay by Gross (Single, Texas/FL)
Monthly Gross
Annual Gross
Federal + FICA
Net Monthly
Effective Rate
$3,500
$42,000
~$700
~$2,800
20.0%
$5,000
$60,000
~$1,100
~$3,900
22.0%
$6,250
$75,000
~$1,450
~$4,800
23.3%
$8,333
$100,000
~$2,100
~$6,230
25.2%
$12,500
$150,000
~$3,500
~$9,000
28.0%
Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) Calculator
Compare how far your US salary goes in other countries. Based on World Bank/OECD 2025-2026 PPP indices. USA = 100.
Country
Currency
PPP Index
Region
$4,000 USD buys equiv. of
How to read: USA = 100. If India has a PPP index of 21, your $4,000 in the US has the same purchasing power as $4,000 x (21/100) = $840 in India. You'd need ~79% less money in India for the same standard of living.
Cost of Living by City
Comparing major US cities. NYC = 100 (most expensive baseline). Data: BLS, Numbeo, Zillow, Apartment List 2026.
City
Avg Rent 1-Bed (USD)
Groceries Index
Meal Out (USD)
Gas/Gal (USD)
Livability Note
New York City
$3,200-$4,500
100
$20-40
$3.80
Most expensive; excellent public transit; high state+city tax
San Francisco
$2,800-$4,000
95
$20-35
$5.20
Tech hub; highest gas prices; moderate climate
Boston
$2,500-$3,500
88
$18-32
$3.60
Universities; harsh winters; walkable downtown
Los Angeles
$2,200-$3,200
85
$18-30
$5.00
Car-dependent; entertainment industry; traffic
Seattle
$2,000-$2,800
82
$16-28
$4.50
No state income tax; tech jobs; rainy winters
Miami
$2,100-$3,000
80
$16-28
$3.60
No state income tax; tropical; growing tech scene
Chicago
$1,600-$2,400
78
$15-25
$3.70
Good transit (L); cold winters; affordable for major city
Denver
$1,500-$2,200
75
$14-24
$3.40
Outdoor lifestyle; 300 days sunshine; growing fast
Austin
$1,400-$2,000
72
$14-22
$3.20
No state income tax; tech boom; live music capital
Atlanta
$1,300-$1,900
70
$12-22
$3.10
Affordable; major airport hub; warm climate
State tax advantage: Living in a no-income-tax state (TX, FL, WA, NV, TN, WY, SD) can save you $3,000-$15,000+ per year compared to California or New York. Many remote workers are relocating to these states for this reason. However, property taxes and sales taxes may be higher to compensate.
US Healthcare System
The US has a private, insurance-based healthcare system. Most Americans get insurance through their employer or the ACA marketplace.
Urgent care ($50-200) is cheaper for non-emergencies
Prescription (generic)
$5-20 copay
$20-100
GoodRx can reduce costs; ask for generics
Prescription (brand name)
$30-100 copay
$200-1,000+
Specialty drugs can cost thousands
Hospital stay (per day)
$500-1,500
$2,500-$10,000
After deductible; coinsurance applies
Childbirth (vaginal)
$2,000-$5,000
$10,000-$20,000
Out-of-pocket after insurance
Dental cleaning
$0-50
$100-300
Dental insurance usually separate; 2 cleanings/year
Vision exam
$10-30 copay
$100-250
Vision insurance usually separate
Critical tip: Always check if a provider is "in-network" before visiting. Out-of-network care can cost 2-5x more. In an emergency, the No Surprises Act (2022) protects you from surprise bills from out-of-network providers at in-network facilities. If uninsured, always negotiate -- hospitals often reduce bills by 40-70% for cash-pay patients.
Housing in the USA
The US housing market varies enormously by region. Understanding rent vs. buy economics and regional differences is key.
Renting vs. Buying
Factor
Renting
Buying
Upfront cost
First + last month + security deposit (~$3,000-$8,000)
Down payment 3-20% + closing costs (~$15,000-$80,000+)
Monthly cost
Rent only; utilities separate
Mortgage + property tax + insurance + HOA + maintenance
Flexibility
12-month leases typical; easy to relocate
Tied to location; selling takes 2-6 months
Tax benefits
None (in most states)
Mortgage interest deduction; property tax deduction (up to $10K SALT cap)
Wealth building
No equity
Build equity; home value appreciation (~3-5%/year historically)
Maintenance
Landlord's responsibility
Your responsibility; budget 1-2% of home value/year
Median Home Prices (2026)
Market
Median Home Price
Avg Rent 1-Bed
Property Tax Rate
Category
San Francisco, CA
$1,350,000
$3,200/mo
0.73%
VHCOL
New York City, NY
$750,000
$3,500/mo
0.88%
VHCOL
Boston, MA
$680,000
$2,800/mo
1.15%
HCOL
Los Angeles, CA
$850,000
$2,600/mo
0.73%
HCOL
Seattle, WA
$750,000
$2,300/mo
0.93%
HCOL
Denver, CO
$550,000
$1,800/mo
0.55%
MCOL
Austin, TX
$480,000
$1,700/mo
1.80%
MCOL
Atlanta, GA
$380,000
$1,500/mo
0.92%
MCOL
Dallas, TX
$360,000
$1,400/mo
1.80%
MCOL
Memphis, TN
$200,000
$950/mo
1.45%
LCOL
Mortgage Basics (2026)
Term
Details
Notes
30-year fixed
~6.5-7.0% rate (2026)
Most popular; predictable payments; more interest over life of loan
15-year fixed
~5.8-6.3% rate
Higher monthly payments; significantly less total interest
Down payment
3-20% of purchase price
Less than 20% requires PMI ($100-300/mo extra)
Credit score needed
620+ (conventional); 580+ (FHA)
740+ gets best rates; check via annualcreditreport.com
Closing costs
2-5% of purchase price
Appraisal, title insurance, attorney, origination fees
Property tax
0.3% - 2.5% of assessed value/year
Texas, NJ, IL highest; Hawaii, Colorado lowest
28/36 Rule: Lenders generally want your housing costs below 28% of gross monthly income, and total debt payments below 36%. For a $75K salary ($6,250/mo gross), that means max ~$1,750/mo housing cost. Use this to gauge what you can afford before house hunting.
Transport in the USA
The US is a car-centric country. Public transit exists in major cities but most Americans rely on personal vehicles.
~$3.50
per gallon (avg)
Regular gasoline national average; CA/HI much higher
91%
car ownership
Americans with access to a car; highest in the world
One-way; varies from 20min (small cities) to 40min+ (LA/NYC)
Transport Type
Cost
Details
Used car purchase
$15,000-$25,000
3-5 year old; Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla most reliable
New car (average)
$48,000
Average new car price 2026; $730/mo avg payment
Car insurance
$150-300/mo
Full coverage; varies by state, age, driving record; Geico, Progressive, State Farm
Gas (monthly)
$100-250/mo
12,000 miles/year avg; 25-30 MPG typical sedan
NYC Metro (subway)
$132/mo (unlimited)
Best transit in US; 24/7 service; covers all boroughs
Chicago CTA (L train)
$75/mo (pass)
Good rail network; covers most of the city
Uber/Lyft (per ride)
$10-30
Surge pricing during peak hours; Uber Eats also popular
Amtrak (intercity rail)
$30-200+
Limited network; slow; Northeast Corridor (DC-NY-Boston) is best
Domestic flight
$80-350
Southwest, Spirit (budget); Delta, United, American (legacy)
E-bike
$800-2,500 purchase
Growing in popularity; cities adding bike lanes
Pro tip: If moving to a non-major city, you will almost certainly need a car. Public transit outside NYC, DC, Chicago, SF, and Boston is limited or nonexistent. Budget $500-1,000/month for total car ownership costs (payment, insurance, gas, maintenance). Consider a reliable used Japanese car (Honda, Toyota) to minimize costs.
Working in the USA
US work culture, employment rights, and practical info for newcomers and expats.
10-15
PTO days/year (avg)
No federal law mandating paid vacation; varies by employer
At-Will
Employment type
Employer or employee can terminate anytime (most states)
0 weeks
Federal paid parental leave
No federal mandate; FMLA gives 12 weeks unpaid
401(k)
Retirement plan
Employer-sponsored; often with company match (free money)
Topic
Details
Notes
At-Will Employment
Either party can terminate employment at any time, for any legal reason
Montana is the only exception; cannot fire for discriminatory reasons (race, gender, age, etc.)
Paid Time Off (PTO)
No federal mandate; avg 10-15 days/year for new employees
Tech companies often offer "unlimited PTO" (avg used: 10-15 days); increases with tenure
Sick Leave
No federal mandate; ~14 states + DC require paid sick leave
Many employers offer 5-10 sick days; some combine with PTO as one bank
Working Hours
Standard 40 hours/week; overtime after 40 hrs at 1.5x rate
"Exempt" salaried employees don't get overtime pay; work culture often exceeds 40 hrs
FMLA (Family Leave)
12 weeks unpaid leave for birth, adoption, serious health condition
Only companies with 50+ employees; must have worked 12+ months; job protection only
401(k) Retirement
Employee contributes pre-tax up to $23,500/year (2026)
Many employers match 3-6% of salary (free money!); Roth 401(k) option for after-tax
Health Insurance
Most employers offer; required for 50+ employee companies
Employer pays 70-80% of premium; often biggest non-salary benefit
H-1B Visa
Specialty occupation visa; 85,000 cap/year; lottery system
Employer sponsors; 3-year term (renewable to 6); tied to employer unless transferred
Green Card (EB categories)
Permanent residency through employment
EB-2/EB-3 most common; wait times vary (India: 10+ years; others: 1-3 years)
Social Security Number (SSN)
Required for employment; 9-digit identifier
Apply at Social Security Administration office; needed for taxes, banking, credit
Benefits to Negotiate
US benefits package essentials: (1) 401(k) match -- always contribute at least enough to get the full employer match; it's free money (typically 3-6% of salary). (2) Health insurance -- compare PPO vs HMO vs HDHP; HSA contributions are triple tax-advantaged. (3) Stock options/RSUs -- common in tech; can double total compensation. (4) Signing bonus -- always negotiate, especially when switching jobs. (5) Remote work -- post-COVID, many roles offer hybrid or fully remote; huge savings on commute and housing flexibility.
American Basics & Cultural Tips
Essential cultural knowledge, tipping rules, measurement system, and common phrases for newcomers to the USA.
Tipping Culture (Critical!)
Service
Expected Tip
Notes
Restaurant (sit-down)
18-25%
Pre-tax bill; 20% is standard; 15% is considered low
Bar / drinks
$1-2 per drink
Or 15-20% of tab; bartenders rely on tips
Food delivery
15-20% or $3-5 min
DoorDash, Uber Eats; tip in-app
Taxi / Uber / Lyft
15-20%
Tip in-app or cash; standard practice
Hair salon / barber
15-20%
Cash preferred but card ok
Hotel housekeeping
$2-5 per night
Leave on pillow or nightstand with a note
Valet parking
$2-5
When car is returned
Coffee shop (counter)
$0-1 (optional)
Not expected but appreciated; iPad tip prompts are common
Fast food
None
No tipping expected at counter-service restaurants
US Measurement System
US Unit
Metric Equivalent
Common Use
1 mile
1.61 km
Distances, speed limits (mph)
1 foot (ft)
30.48 cm
Height, room dimensions
1 inch (in)
2.54 cm
Small measurements, screen sizes
1 pound (lb)
0.45 kg
Body weight, groceries
1 ounce (oz)
28.35 g
Food, liquids (fluid oz = ~30mL)
1 gallon
3.79 liters
Gas, milk
Fahrenheit
(F - 32) x 5/9 = C
Weather: 32F = 0C; 72F = 22C; 100F = 38C
Common American Phrases & Slang
Phrase
Meaning
Context
"How are you?"
Greeting (not a real question)
Reply "Good, thanks!" -- don't give a detailed answer
"What's up?"
Casual hello
Reply "Not much" or "Hey!"
"I'm good" / "I'm all set"
No, thank you
Polite way to decline (e.g., waiter asks if you need anything)
"Can I get a..."
I would like to order...
Standard way to order food/drinks
"Check, please"
The bill, please
Restaurant; Americans say "check" not "bill"
"Restroom" / "Bathroom"
Toilet / WC
Never say "toilet" in polite company; say restroom
"Take a rain check"
Postpone plans
"Can I take a rain check?" = let's do it another time
"Ballpark figure"
Rough estimate
"Give me a ballpark" = approximate number
"PTO"
Paid Time Off
Vacation days; "I'm taking PTO next week"
"ASAP"
As Soon As Possible
Very common in work emails; pronounced "ay-sap"
Cultural Tips
Things to know: (1) Sales tax is NOT included in prices -- the price tag is pre-tax; expect 5-10% added at checkout (varies by state; Oregon, Montana, NH have no sales tax). (2) Tipping is mandatory (culturally) -- servers earn $2-5/hr base wage; tips are their income; 18-25% at restaurants. (3) Personal space -- Americans value personal space; stand at arm's length; handshakes (not hugs/kisses) for business. (4) Small talk is normal -- strangers will chat with you; cashiers, Uber drivers, neighbors; it's friendly, not weird. (5) Credit score matters -- your credit score (300-850) affects everything: renting, loans, insurance, even jobs. Build it from day one with a secured credit card. (6) Drug stores are mini-marts -- CVS, Walgreens sell groceries, snacks, and household items, not just medicine.
Minimum Earnings to Survive in the USA
What gross salary do you need? Here's the realistic breakdown for 2026.
~$55,000
USD/year gross (single, MCOL)
Comfortable living in mid-cost city
~$85,000
USD/year gross (couple, MCOL)
Two adults in mid-cost city
~$3,800
USD/month net minimum
Bare minimum for couple (frugal, MCOL)
~$5,500
USD/month recommended
Comfortable net for couple with buffer
Lifestyle
Monthly Expenses (USD)
Gross Salary Needed (USD)
Net After Tax
Buffer
Survival mode Shared room, very frugal, LCOL area
$1,800
$2,600
$2,100
+$300
Basic single (MCOL) Own apartment, careful spending
$2,800
$4,000
$3,200
+$400
Couple (MCOL city) 2 adults, comfortable
$4,500
$7,000
$5,200
+$700
Couple (HCOL: NYC/SF) 2 adults, good lifestyle
$7,500
$12,000
$8,200
+$700
Family with child (MCOL) 2 adults + 1 child, daycare
$6,500
$10,000
$7,200
+$700
Newcomer checklist (first 2 weeks): (1) Get a Social Security Number (SSN) at the nearest SSA office. (2) Open a bank account (Chase, Bank of America, or online: Discover, SoFi -- some allow no-SSN accounts initially). (3) Get a SIM card (Mint Mobile, T-Mobile, Visible). (4) Apply for a secured credit card to start building credit (Discover It Secured). (5) Sign up for health insurance (through employer or healthcare.gov). (6) Get a state ID or driver's license at the DMV. (7) Find housing (Zillow, Apartments.com, Craigslist). (8) If on a work visa, ensure your I-94 record is correct at i94.cbp.dhs.gov.
Data note: All figures updated June 2026. Costs vary enormously by state and city. Always verify current rates with official sources (BLS, IRS, healthcare.gov, state tax websites) before making financial decisions.
