MigrantoCost of living in the USA
Average monthly spending, by standard of living, by category, and against other countries
Monthly cost
$3,839
what a typical person spends
Spending by standard of living
$1,325richest 20%
$12,242
The United States runs on a large, varied economy, and that mix is exactly what you feel in the cost of living: strong paychecks in many fields run alongside a service sector that prices itself to match. What really defines the place, though, is how far apart its two ends sit — the distance between living well and barely keeping up is enormous, so what a normal life costs here hinges on which slice of the country you actually land in.
Where people spend money in the USA
In the United States, health care is the cost that blindsides people coming from elsewhere — a large, largely fixed line that most other countries quietly fold into taxes. Housing comes next and swings hard with where you choose to settle, while getting around takes a steady cut in a country built around the car. Between them, the bills you can't talk your way out of set the floor under any month.
Living-cost calculator
What it costs to live in the USA
Tell us what you earn and spend today — we'll estimate what the same lifestyle would cost in the USA and how much you could have left each month
- What your lifestyle costs
- How much could be left each month
- How it compares with today
Cost of living in the USA
$1,325/mo
vs $800 in your country
Take-home
$3,628
vs $1,200 in your country
Potential savings
$2,303
more than in your country
Standard of living
Under a minute, no sign-up
How living costs in the USA compare
On the world stage, the United States lands firmly among the costliest places to live. Closer to home it sits in the middle of its region rather than at the top, edged out by pricier neighbors. It ranks high for a straightforward reason — it's a wealthy country, and wealthy countries charge wealthy-country prices.
Data source: household consumption 2022 (World Bank), International Comparison Program 2021 (World Bank), category breakdown 2023 (United Nations Statistics Division), adjusted to 2026 using IMF GDP-per-capita growth
Ask Migo
Tap a question — our AI assistant answers it in chat
Frequently asked questions
What is the cost of living in the USA?
A typical person in the USA spends about $3,839 a month — around $46,068 a year — on housing, groceries, transport and other everyday costs. It's a nationwide average across different regions, cities and types of housing.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in the USA?
It all depends on your standard of living. A modest budget runs about $1,325 a month per person, a typical one around $3,839, and a comfortable life around $5,873. In big cities and for a family, costs are usually higher.
What do people spend the most on in the USA?
The biggest expense is health care, at about $799 a month (21% of spending). Then come housing ($710, 19%) and transport ($380, 10%).
Is the average salary in the USA enough to live on?
In most cases yes, but without much of a cushion. Average spending is about $3,839 a month, while the average take-home pay in the USA is about $4,972. For more on incomes, see salaries in the USA.
Is the USA an expensive country to live in?
Yes. The USA is more expensive than 98% of countries worldwide and ranks 2nd of 3 in North America by cost of living.
Where to live?
Match a country to your priorities
Living in the USA
See the full country overview