North America ยท USD
Moving to United States: salary, tax and cost of living
What a job offer in United States is actually worth once income tax, mandatory contributions, rent and everyday costs are taken out. Figures below are the same ones ReloIQ uses to score a real comparison.
Compare your offer- Income tax
- Federal + California brackets, FICA, SDI
- Currency
- USD ($)
- Purchasing power
- High income, high-cost cities
- Healthcare
- Mixed private/public
How take-home pay works in United States
Tax structure: Federal + California brackets, FICA, SDI
That matters because relocation decisions are usually made on the gross number, while your actual standard of living depends on what lands in your account after deductions. Healthcare premiums, state tax, and housing can dominate the comparison.
What your money buys
Purchasing power: High income, high-cost cities
ReloIQ applies a purchasing power factor of 1.00, sourced from World Bank data for 2025, which converts a headline salary into comparable living standards rather than a raw exchange rate.
Local cost pressure: Very city-dependent
Who a move to United States suits
Best for: Large salary jumps and equity-heavy roles
The most common mistake is comparing the offered number against a current salary without adjusting for tax structure and housing, which is exactly what the comparison tool corrects for.
Monthly costs
Cities in United States
Typical monthly figures for a practical newcomer budget, in USD. Rent assumes a standard one-bedroom rather than a shared or luxury unit.
| City | Rent | Groceries | Transport | Cost index |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin | $ 1,800 | $ 520 | $ 90 | 68 |
| New York City | $ 3,800 | $ 760 | $ 132 | 100 |
| San Francisco | $ 3,600 | $ 720 | $ 110 | 97 |
Within United States, New York City runs the highest cost index at 100 while Austin sits at 68. A single offer can therefore be comfortable in one city and tight in another, so compare against the city you would actually live in.
Before you accept
Healthcare premiums, state tax, and housing can dominate the comparison.
Enter your current salary and the United States offer to see net pay, monthly savings and a purchasing-power verdict for both sides. Free, no account needed.
Start analyzingCompare other destinations
Figures are modelled estimates for comparison, not tax advice. Individual liability depends on residency status, allowances, dependants and employer arrangements.