If you are looking for the best places to live in America then you’ve come to the right place! The United States is one of the largest nations in the world and is often referred to as the land of opportunity. Due to the fact that English is the first language and other languages such as Spanish are widely spoken, America is a popular expat destination for people from all over the world. But one thing you might not be too sure about is exactly where and which city in America you want to emigrate to. We have put together a guide that should help you decide.
Best Places to Live in America for Salary
If you are moving to America for job opportunities then you might be interested to learn more about the cities with the highest average salary. Although salary isn’t always the most important thing, it is good to know how much you could be earning when moving to the US. We have put together a list of the top 5 US cities by average salary based on this study;
| US City | Average Salary | Cost of Living Score |
| San Jose, CA | $93,450 | 126.7 |
| San Francisco, CA | $81,840 | 134.5 |
| Washington, DC | $77,210 | 117.4 |
| Seattle, WA | $74,330 | 114.5 |
| Stamford, CT | $74,000 | 112.4 |
As you can see from the above, although San Jose has the highest average salary, the cost of living score is quite high too. San Francisco is often a very desirable place to live but this also pushes up the cost of living when compared with other cities. But salary isn’t the only reason you might move to a new country.
Education in America
If you’re moving to America with children, then you will want to know more about the standards of education in the country. This differs depending on the age of your children but for this guide, we have looked at the best states for higher education in America. The top 5 states for schooling in a 2021 study were as follows;
- Florida
- Washington
- California
- Wyoming
- Colorado
Best States for Healthcare
You will also want to make sure that when moving to America with your family, their health is well looked after. A side note on this is that healthcare is private in America, so make sure you have your own plan. We have taken a look at a 2021 study for best states for healthcare;
- Hawaii
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
- New Jersey
- California
What are the cultural differences between the US and Europe?
Largely, America shares many cultural aspects with Western Europe, as a multinational country that celebrates many religions and has very similar ethics and work-life balances. But there are some changes to the standard of living in America that may or may not suit you. America is a vast country for starters, it is larger than the entire of Western Europe, meaning that suburban areas and homes are usually much more spacious than in the UK. Tax on income is also generally lower in America and average salaries somewhat higher, so you could have more disposable income in America than in Europe. But with health insurance private and lower entitlements to things like annual leave, you might find you have a poorer work-life balance.
How does the cost of living in America compare with Europe?
There are a few things to consider here as the answer will vary drastically depending on your situation. But assuming that you are moving to America for work and your employer provides a good healthcare plan for you and your family, the cost of living in America can be lower than in most parts of Europe. As we have already mentioned, income tax is considerably lower in the US than in Europe but also things like food and utilities are generally cheaper. Buying American can also make a big difference, for example, a US car brand such as Chevrolet or Dodge will be much cheaper comparatively than buying a car in Europe that is imported. If you have to pay for your own medical insurance though this can end up costing you significantly more.
What quality of life will I have in America?
Depending on where you’re planning on moving to in America, the weather can be much warmer than most parts of Europe, with the advantage of English being the first language. States like California, Florida and North Carolina have glorious beaches that could help to improve your lifestyle. But one thing you should consider carefully is whether you will have the time to enjoy your new surroundings. There is no law in the US to stipulate employers have to provide paid leave and the average paid leave provided in the US is just 10 days, compared with an average in the UK of 33.5 days and a minimum of 28 days. It’s worth checking the leave policy with your employer but due to higher salaries, you may be able to take unpaid leave more regularly.
Our guide aims to give you a good overview of the things you should consider before moving to the US, but we do suggest you are thorough in your research before committing to such a large move. Make sure you consult a specialist removals company to help with the move as well. We can help provide you with international moving advice to make sure you have thought about all costs involved.
