United StatesπΊπΈ
At a Glance
How United States compares across key indices
Cost of Living
100 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
68/100
Healthcare
68/100
Quality of Life
160/200
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in United States
Cost of Living
100
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
75
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
100
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
105
100 = NYC dining
Safety & Crime
Low RiskHow safe residents feel in United States - based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
68/100
Crime Index
23/100
Lower is better
Walking Safety
0 point drop from day to night
Cities in United States
United States has 1,000 modeled cities; this view starts with 40 curated or popular options. Monthly costs for a single person range from $2,114 in Chattanooga to $2,400 in Brooklyn. Chattanooga leads on safety, scoring 70/100. Chattanooga ranks highest for quality of life at 156/200.
Chattanooga
$2,114/mo
Chattanooga
70/100
Chattanooga
156/200
Brooklyn
77/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn | $2,400 | 64/100 | 152/200 | 77/100 | 23 |
| Chicago | $2,398 | 64/100 | 152/200 | 77/100 | 23 |
| Dallas | $2,325 | 65/100 | 153/200 | 75/100 | 20 |
| Austin | $2,292 | 66/100 | 153/200 | 74/100 | 19 |
| Columbus | $2,286 | 66/100 | 153/200 | 73/100 | 19 |
| Charlotte | $2,286 | 66/100 | 153/200 | 73/100 | 19 |
| Denver | $2,262 | 67/100 | 154/200 | 73/100 | 18 |
| El Paso | $2,255 | 67/100 | 154/200 | 72/100 | 18 |
| Boston | $2,251 | 67/100 | 154/200 | 72/100 | 18 |
| Detroit | $2,248 | 67/100 | 154/200 | 72/100 | 18 |
| Baltimore | $2,240 | 67/100 | 154/200 | 72/100 | 17 |
| Albuquerque | $2,235 | 67/100 | 154/200 | 72/100 | 17 |
| Atlanta | $2,224 | 67/100 | 154/200 | 71/100 | 17 |
| Colorado Springs | $2,213 | 68/100 | 154/200 | 71/100 | 16 |
| Arlington | $2,196 | 68/100 | 155/200 | 71/100 | 16 |
| Bakersfield | $2,191 | 68/100 | 155/200 | 70/100 | 16 |
| Cleveland | $2,189 | 68/100 | 155/200 | 70/100 | 15 |
| Aurora | $2,187 | 68/100 | 155/200 | 70/100 | 15 |
| Anaheim | $2,185 | 68/100 | 155/200 | 70/100 | 15 |
| Corpus Christi | $2,174 | 68/100 | 155/200 | 70/100 | 15 |
| Cincinnati | $2,171 | 69/100 | 155/200 | 70/100 | 15 |
| Anchorage | $2,165 | 69/100 | 155/200 | 70/100 | 15 |
| Chula Vista | $2,156 | 69/100 | 155/200 | 69/100 | 14 |
| Chandler | $2,154 | 69/100 | 155/200 | 69/100 | 14 |
| Buffalo | $2,152 | 69/100 | 155/200 | 69/100 | 14 |
| Durham | $2,152 | 69/100 | 155/200 | 69/100 | 14 |
| Boise | $2,143 | 69/100 | 155/200 | 69/100 | 14 |
| Chesapeake | $2,143 | 69/100 | 155/200 | 69/100 | 14 |
| Baton Rouge | $2,138 | 69/100 | 156/200 | 69/100 | 14 |
| Des Moines | $2,132 | 69/100 | 156/200 | 69/100 | 13 |
| Arlington | $2,130 | 69/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
| Columbus | $2,130 | 69/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
| Fayetteville | $2,127 | 69/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
| Cypress | $2,125 | 69/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
| Aurora | $2,125 | 69/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
| Amarillo | $2,125 | 70/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
| Akron | $2,125 | 70/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
| Birmingham | $2,123 | 70/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
| Brownsville | $2,119 | 70/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
| Chattanooga | $2,114 | 70/100 | 156/200 | 68/100 | 13 |
Freedom Abroad estimates are modeled for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.
Compare Cities Side by Side
Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life
Healthcare
Healthcare system overview for United States
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Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in United States
Pollution Index
16/100
Lower is better
PM2.5
7.8ug/m3
Good
Environmental Quality
Based on 0 survey responses. Perception scores are 0β100 where higher is better unless noted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about living in United States, answered with data
What is the cost of living in United States?
United States has a cost of living index of 100 relative to New York City (100). It is on par with or more expensive than major US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $2,053 in Chinatown and reach $2,400 in Brooklyn.
What is the cheapest city in United States for expats?
Chinatown is the most affordable city in United States in Freedom Abroad estimates, with estimated monthly costs of $2,053 for a single person including rent. Davenport is the next most affordable at $2,055/mo.
Is United States safe for expats?
United States has a safety index of 68/100, making it generally safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Clovis scores highest on safety at 71/100.
What is the best city in United States for expats and digital nomads?
Clovis ranks highest for quality of life in United States, scoring 157/200 in Freedom Abroad's modeled quality-of-life estimate. Monthly costs there run around $2,057/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Chinatown offers the lowest monthly costs at $2,053/mo.
How good is healthcare in United States?
United States scores 68/100 in Freedom Abroad's modeled healthcare estimate, making it good by global standards. This estimate reflects open public indicators for health outcomes and system capacity.
What is the air quality and pollution like in United States?
United States has a pollution index of 16/100 (lower = cleaner). This is relatively clean by global standards, making it appealing for those prioritising air quality and outdoor lifestyle.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for United States
Plan Your Move
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Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
Cost of Living
Model monthly costs with Freedom Abroad estimates before you narrow the shortlist.
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Cost of living, safety, and quality-of-life figures on this page are Freedom Abroad estimates modeled from open public sources. Data sources
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