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Planning a move to the United States without accurately sizing up the cost of living is the most common mistake among Brazilians arriving in the country. The difference in purchasing power between a comfortable salary in Atlanta and the same figure in San Francisco can be as much as three times, according to the Council for Community and Economic Research, which has maintained the national cost-of-living index since 1968.
This overview updates reference values for 2026, based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the Kaiser Family Foundation, cross-referencing information on housing, food, healthcare, transportation, education, and taxation. The goal is to provide realistic benchmarks for budgeting before immigrating.
Costs vary not only between states, but within the same metropolitan statistical area. The neighborhood you choose directly affects local taxation, district public school quality, access to transportation, and health insurance coverage through in-network providers. Seemingly operational decisions carry long-term financial impact.
Housing: The Biggest Component
The National Association of Realtors recorded a median price of $412,000 for existing homes in February 2026, with 30-year mortgage rates around 6.8% according to Freddie Mac. The monthly cost of a conventional mortgage on a median-priced home, assuming a 20% down payment, exceeds $2,400 before property tax and insurance.
For renters, the Zumper National Rent Report from March 2026 shows that one-bedroom apartments have a national median of $1,510 per month. In markets like Manhattan, San Francisco, Boston, and San Jose, prices exceed $3,500. In Memphis, Tulsa, Wichita, and El Paso, the same type of unit costs between $850 and $1,100.
Property tax is levied on the assessed value of the property and varies significantly. New Jersey leads with an effective average of 2.23% per year, followed by Illinois at 2.08%. Hawaii and Alabama are at the opposite end, at 0.32% and 0.40% respectively. For a home assessed at $400,000, this represents an annual difference of $7,640 between the extremes.
Food and Household Expenses
The U.S. Department of Agriculture publishes the Cost of Food at Home Report monthly, with four meal plan tiers. In January 2026, the moderate plan for one adult between 19 and 50 came to $354 per month. Couples spend approximately $706, and families of four with young children average around $1,075.
Dining out ranges from $18 to $28 at casual chains like Chipotle, Panera, or Olive Garden. Mid-tier restaurants charge an average of $35 to $55 per person without alcoholic beverages. A tip of 18% to 22% is culturally expected and part of the final bill.
Basic utility bills for electricity, water, gas, and internet total between $200 and $380 per month for apartments up to 970 square feet, depending on the state. Texas and California lead in summer air conditioning consumption, while New England and the Midwest face high heating bills from December through March.
Healthcare: The Cost That Surprises Most
The Kaiser Family Foundation calculated in October 2025 that the average annual premium for employer-sponsored individual health insurance reached $8,951, with workers contributing an average of $1,401 and the employer covering the rest. Family plans reached $25,572 per year, with an average employee contribution of $6,575.
Those purchasing directly through the Affordable Care Act marketplace can pay between $480 and $850 per month for individual silver-tier coverage, depending on age, state, and subsidy eligibility. Families can exceed $1,800 per month for unsubsidized plans.
Out-of-pocket expenses complete the picture. An uninsured office visit costs between $150 and $300, routine lab work exceeds $250, and an emergency room visit without hospitalization starts at $1,200. Surgical procedures without coverage can easily reach five figures.
Transportation and Mobility
Owning a vehicle is the norm outside of New York, Boston, Chicago, Washington, and San Francisco. The average price of a new sedan in 2026, according to Kelley Blue Book, is $48,700, with five-year financing at rates near 7.2%. Used cars up to five years old have a median of $25,300.
Mandatory auto insurance varies between $1,200 and $3,400 per year depending on driving history, age, state, and vehicle model. Fuel costs an average of $3.38 per gallon according to AAA in March 2026, with California consistently running above $4.80.
Monthly public transportation passes in New York stand at $132 since the 2025 fare adjustment. Boston charges $90, Washington uses a per-trip fare averaging $100 per month for regular commuters, and Chicago charges $75. Lower-density cities have more limited transit systems, making a car practically unavoidable.
Education for Families
Public elementary and secondary education is free for district residents, funded primarily by local property taxes. As a result, schools in neighborhoods with high property values tend to have better infrastructure, advanced programs, and higher performance rates. The GreatSchools.org website provides ratings that often guide housing decisions.
Private K-12 schools charge between $12,000 and $50,000 per year. Day care for children under five costs between $14,000 and $25,000 per year in urban markets, according to Child Care Aware of America, making it one of the largest expenses for young families.
Public universities charge reduced in-state tuition for state residents after one year of domicile, a benefit available primarily to Green Card holders and citizens. International students with F-1 visas pay out-of-state tuition, frequently three times the in-state rate.
Median Salaries by Sector
The Bureau of Labor Statistics published updated figures in May 2025 that serve as reference values for fiscal year 2026.
- Software developers: annual median of $132,270, with senior-level positions in hubs like Seattle, the Bay Area, and Austin exceeding $200,000.
- Registered nurses: median of $86,070, with shifts at Magnet hospitals paying above $110,000 in high-cost markets.
- Mechanical engineers: median of $99,510.
- Financial analysts: median of $99,890.
- Physicians and surgeons: median above $239,200, with surgical specialties exceeding $500,000.
- Retail and fast food workers: between $28,000 and $36,000 annually, with hourly wages adjusted to the state minimum.
The federal minimum wage remains at $7.25 per hour, unchanged since July 2009. States, however, set their own floors. In January 2026, California, Washington, and Connecticut have minimums above $16. New York, Massachusetts, New Jersey, and Maryland exceed $15. Texas, Pennsylvania, and Georgia still follow the federal minimum.
Federal and State Taxation
Federal income tax follows a progressive schedule with seven brackets in 2026, ranging from 10% to 37%. For someone earning $80,000 annually as a single filer, the effective rate is close to 13.5% after the standard deduction.
Seven states impose no state income tax: Texas, Florida, Tennessee, Nevada, Wyoming, South Dakota, and Alaska. California has the highest top marginal rate, at 13.3% on income above $1 million. New York combines state and municipal taxes in jurisdictions like Manhattan and Brooklyn, exceeding 14.5% in the upper brackets.
Sales tax applies in most states on specific goods and services, ranging from 0% in Oregon, Montana, and New Hampshire to over 9% in Tennessee and Louisiana, combining state and local rates.
Tax planning — particularly around the choice of state, employment structure (W-2 versus 1099), and asset withdrawal strategies for immigrants with wealth abroad — should be done well in advance of the annual Form 1040 and any potential obligation to report foreign accounts via FBAR and FATCA.
Victoria Harper
Editor-in-Chief
Leading journalism and editorial content at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps make immigration topics clear, trustworthy, and easy to understand. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.
