United States🇺🇸
At a Glance
How United States compares across key indices
Cost of Living
69 vs NYC
100 = NYC
Safety Index
51/100
Healthcare
67/100
Quality of Life
190/200
Climate
76/100
Cost of Living
How far your money goes in United States
Cost of Living
69
100 = NYC baseline
Rent Index
36
100 = NYC rent
Groceries
74
100 = NYC groceries
Restaurant Prices
72
100 = NYC dining
City Costs Comparison
Albuquerque, NM
Cheapest$2,391/mo
Columbia, SC
$2,404/mo
Detroit, MI
$2,700/mo
Boise, ID
$2,714/mo
Cincinnati, OH
$2,759/mo
Albany, NY
$2,795/mo
Columbus, OH
$2,807/mo
Cleveland, OH
$2,848/mo
Safety & Crime
Moderate RiskHow safe residents feel in United States — based on surveys of people living there
Safety Index
51/100
Crime Index
49/100
Lower is better
Crime Trend
67/100
Crime perceived as increasing
Walking Safety
27 point drop from day to night
Problem Severity
0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem
What Residents Worry About
Based on 20,507 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.
Cities in United States
United States has 31 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $2,391 in Albuquerque, NM to $4,920 in Boston, MA. Boise, ID leads on safety, scoring 62/100. Charlotte, NC ranks highest for quality of life at 191/200.
Albuquerque, NM
$2,391/mo
Boise, ID
62/100
Charlotte, NC
191/200
Baltimore, MD
72/100
| City | Monthly Cost | Safety | Quality of Life | Healthcare | Pollution |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque, NM | $2,391 | 29/100 | 180/200 | 63/100 | 40 |
| Columbia, SC | $2,404 | — | — | — | — |
| Detroit, MI | $2,700 | 27/100 | 138/200 | 63/100 | 62 |
| Boise, ID | $2,714 | 62/100 | 190/200 | 65/100 | 37 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $2,759 | 50/100 | 190/200 | 69/100 | 40 |
| Albany, NY | $2,795 | — | — | — | — |
| Columbus, OH | $2,807 | 51/100 | 190/200 | 69/100 | 31 |
| Cleveland, OH | $2,848 | 36/100 | 176/200 | 72/100 | 40 |
| Gainesville, FL | $2,933 | — | — | — | — |
| Fresno, CA | $2,968 | — | — | — | — |
| Fort Worth, TX | $2,973 | 57/100 | 185/200 | 64/100 | 53 |
| Birmingham, AL | $2,998 | — | — | — | — |
| Buffalo, NY | $3,000 | 51/100 | 185/200 | 70/100 | 30 |
| Greenville, SC | $3,029 | — | — | — | — |
| Charlotte, NC | $3,061 | 51/100 | 191/200 | 68/100 | 36 |
| Dallas, TX | $3,128 | 48/100 | 179/200 | 67/100 | 41 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $3,174 | 59/100 | 186/200 | 62/100 | 32 |
| Anchorage, AK | $3,204 | 37/100 | 181/200 | 61/100 | 16 |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $3,215 | — | — | — | — |
| Baltimore, MD | $3,235 | 29/100 | 170/200 | 72/100 | 52 |
| Austin, TX | $3,325 | 57/100 | 190/200 | 65/100 | 43 |
| Atlanta, GA | $3,333 | 36/100 | 183/200 | 66/100 | 45 |
| Asheville, NC | $3,394 | — | — | — | — |
| Denver, CO | $3,439 | 52/100 | 174/200 | 68/100 | 45 |
| Chicago, IL | $3,803 | 34/100 | 160/200 | 65/100 | 51 |
| Boulder, CO | $3,921 | — | — | — | — |
| Charleston, SC | $3,934 | — | — | — | — |
| Fort Lauderdale, FL | $3,960 | — | — | — | — |
| Arlington, VA | $4,026 | — | — | — | — |
| Brooklyn, NY | $4,860 | 55/100 | — | — | — |
| Boston, MA | $4,920 | 60/100 | 188/200 | 69/100 | 32 |
Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are 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
Healthcare Index
67/100
Quality Breakdown
How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality
Based on 6,698 survey responses
Insurance Coverage
Recommended PartnerDon't skip health insurance
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Environment
CleanAir quality, water, and environmental conditions in United States
Pollution Index
37/100
Lower is better
Environmental Quality
Concerns
0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern
Based on 10,075 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.
Transport & Commute
How people get around in United States
Average One-Way Commute
34minutes
Average
Traffic Index
157
Moderate congestion
Inefficiency
252
Time wasted in traffic
CO2 Emissions
7.5kg/trip
How People Commute
Based on 7,558 survey responses.
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 69 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $2,391 in Albuquerque, NM and reach $4,920 in Boston, MA.
What is the cheapest city in United States for expats?
Albuquerque, NM is the most affordable city in United States with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $2,391 for a single person including rent. Columbia, SC is the next most affordable at $2,404/mo.
Is United States safe for expats?
United States has a safety index of 51/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Boise, ID scores highest on safety at 62/100.
What is the best city in United States for expats and digital nomads?
Charlotte, NC ranks highest for quality of life in United States, scoring 191/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $3,061/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Albuquerque, NM offers the lowest monthly costs at $2,391/mo.
How good is healthcare in United States?
United States scores 67/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.
Is United States cheaper than the United States?
Yes. United States's cost of living is roughly 31% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 64% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.
Before You Go
Your pre-departure checklist for United States
Plan Your Move
Escape Plan Quiz
Find your best-fit country based on budget, climate, safety, and lifestyle priorities.
Salary Calculator
See what your income is actually worth after taxes and cost of living adjustments.
Compare Countries
Side-by-side breakdown of cost of living, safety, healthcare, and more.
90-Day Move Planner
Your personalized countdown checklist — visas, banking, housing, and logistics.
Recommended PartnerDon't skip health insurance
Real coverage for real life abroad. Not travel insurance. Not hoping for the best.
A portion of affiliate revenue is donated to UNHCR
Set Up International Banking
Get a multi-currency account before you leave. Essential for managing money abroad.
Get Connected
eSIM, VPN, and reliable internet — sorted before you land.
Book Your First Accommodation
Secure at least your first week. Having a home base makes everything else easier.
Find Flights
Find the cheapest flights with flexible date search. Set alerts for price drops on your route.
Freedom Abroad helps you figure out the part nobody talks about: how to actually build a life in another country. Films, tools, and data. No fluff.
Learn about our mission