Where you’re moving from, to which city and with whom — and how much money you need to live calmly for the first months.
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The calculator adds up travel, fees, moving into an apartment, setting up and living costs for the months you choose, then adds 10% for the unexpected.
Moving to the US usually costs one person between $8,000 and $25,000, and a family with children between $20,000 and $50,000 or more. The range is huge: it all depends on the city, the basis for your move and how much you are ready to spend at the start.
The calculator builds your budget from real line items: visa and legal fees, flights, first month’s rent plus deposit, furniture and appliances, a car, insurance and a cushion for the first months without income.
Before you fly: preparing documents, apostilles and translations, consular fees, a medical exam, flights and shipping your belongings. You need this money in advance — you can’t borrow it in the US.
After you arrive: rent (usually the first month plus a deposit of one to two months), utilities, a phone plan, furniture, a car and insurance. In most US cities it’s hard to live without a car, so it is often the largest one-time expense.
A safety cushion: the editors recommend budgeting for at least 3–6 months of living without income. Finding a job or your first clients almost always takes longer than it seems.
All amounts are a guide in 2026 prices. If you plan to move later, choose your moving year and expected inflation, and the calculator will recalculate your budget. US inflation has generally stayed around 2–4% a year recently, but rents in big cities can rise faster.
Before you decide, check rents in your chosen neighborhood, flight prices for your dates and current fees on official websites. Discuss legal immigration questions with a licensed immigration attorney.
Don’t ship furniture: a container almost always costs more than buying new or used once you arrive. Bring documents, valuables and keepsakes.
Rent a place for 1–2 months through a short-term rental service and look for a permanent home once you’re there — you’re less likely to overpay for the wrong neighborhood.
Compare cities: rent in Miami, New York or Los Angeles can be twice as high as in Tampa, Austin or Charlotte.
A guide for one person is $8,000 to $25,000, including a cushion for the first months. The exact amount depends on the city, the visa and whether you need a car. The calculator above works it out for your situation.
Usually $20,000 to $50,000: a larger home, a higher deposit, school costs, health insurance and a second car.
Yes. Choose your moving year and inflation rate in the calculator — amounts are recalculated from 2026 prices. It’s still an approximate estimate.
Most often, housing at the start (deposit plus first month) and a car. Together they can take up more than half of the budget.
The magazine’s tools are for self-checking. They don’t diagnose and don’t replace a specialist’s advice. Calculations run in your browser.
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