Move to USA
from the UK
Salaries 35% higher, career opportunities at scale, and the British accent opens doors - but no NHS, paltry annual leave, healthcare anxiety, guns(!), and a visa system that looks set to tighten under the Trump admin.
At a Glance
- Capital
- Washington D.C.
- UK Expats
- ~700,000+
- Local Time
- Washington D.C.
- Flight Time
- 7–11h direct
- Temperature
- 12°C now
GBP → USD · 12 months
↑ +2%£1 = $1.36
8%
Pricier than UK
cost of living
100%
English Spoken
3/10
Visa Ease
B
Safety
Large
Expat Community
Good
Healthcare
Overview
The old Trans-Atlantic Alliance has shown signs of buckling in recent times, but for many Brits, the USA still holds immense appeal as the “land of opportunity”.
Between 600,000 and 700,000 UK-born residents call the United States home, no doubt drawn by salaries that are roughly 35% higher than the UK.
Depending on where you move (America is huge - 9.834 million square kilometres and is home to 319 million people!), you’ll find abundant sunshine, and career opportunities that simply don't exist at the same scale anywhere else in the English-speaking world.
The areas that Brits favour are actually some of the most expensive.
New York accounts for roughly one in five UK expats, followed by Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, Austin, and the Florida retirement corridor. Infrastructure for British expats is no issue - the St. George's Society of New York has been running since 1770!
You'll find a British pub in pretty much every major city.
From talking to many Brits, we find the most commonly cited reasons for NOT moving here are: healthcare horror stories, gun crime and the political climate.
Trump 2.0 is certainly divisive…
Daily life adjustments
Americans and Brits have a historically close friendship, but the cultural gap is wider than you’d expect from a country that speaks (sort of) the same language.
Tipping 20% on everything, American-sized portion sizes, aggressively cheerful customer service, just 7-15 days' PTO versus 28 statutory days in the UK, at-will employment that can end without notice, and near-total car dependency outside a handful of cities.
We could go on…
But the upsides are not to be sniffed at either: huge space, optimism, a can-do attitude where aspiration still thrives, significantly faster career progression, and a British accent that still goes further than an accent ever should.
Who thrives - and who struggles?
From what we’ve seen, the Brits who thrive in America tend to be extroverted, ambitious, comfortable with self-promotion, and arrive with a clear plan - a job offer, a partner, or a business idea.
The aspiration-factor of America attracts a certain crowd… and it’s one that does very well.
Those who struggle are typically introverts who relied on deep, long-standing friendships back home, trailing spouses without their own professional identity, parents blindsided by childcare costs, and constant UK comparers who measure everything against what they left behind.
You can probably already imagine whether you would fare well or badly in America since the lifestyle is so well defined by popular culture.
Pros
- Salaries 35%+ higher than equivalent UK roles (and growing)
- More space - most Americans scoff at the sight of our terraced houses
- Weather you can choose - 50 states from tropical to alpine
- Career opportunities at a scale that simply doesn't exist in the UK
- British accent advantage - it’s a cheat code; you’ll be taken more seriously in professional settings for reasons unknown
- Entrepreneurial culture - failure is a badge here
- Lower cost of living outside major cities (drop-off is huge)
- Customer service on crack
- Extraordinary landscape diversity - from Yosemite to the Keys
- Convenience culture in a nutshell - America ushered it is: everything delivered, everything open late
Cons
- Healthcare costs, complexity, and some truly awful horror stories when disaster strikes without sufficient cover
- Far less annual leave - 10-15 days versus 28 statutory in the UK
- At-will employment - you can be fired without notice or reason here
- Gun violence is normalised (active shooter drills in schools are routine)
- A bureaucratic and lottery-dependent immigration system
- Car dependency where public transport barely exists outside a few cities
- Tipping everywhere in a way that can feel obnoxious to Brits
- Expensive childcare with no free hours entitlement
- Political polarisation… and it’s only getting worse
- Distance from family - 5 to 8 time zones, no quick weekend visits
Watch: Life in USA
Hand-picked videos from expats and creators on the ground.
Moving From The UK to The USA
We Moved To The USA!
Asking Brits If They'd Move To America
Visas & Immigration
There is no point in sugarcoating this: the US immigration system is the single biggest obstacle for British expats; and it’s only getting harder to navigate (unless money is no issues…).
Obviously, there is no bilateral UK-US freedom-of-movement deal, and many of the work visas are lottery-dependent (L-1, O-1 and E visas are not). As a whole, the system has become increasingly unpredictable.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (July 2025) added a $250 fee on non-immigrant visa applications, with set to implementation to follow in the future.
ESTA / Visa Waiver
ESTA / Visa Waiver
You have to apply online at least 72 hours before travel. Cannot work, study, or extend. Even spent UK convictions may affect eligibility.
90 days (ESTA valid 2 years)
~£30 ($40)
H-1B Specialty Occupation
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Annual cap 85,000. Lottery with ~25-30% selection rate. For FY 2027, the H-1B registration fee is $215 per registration and the petition-based visa application fee is $205; employer petition, filing, and legal costs are separate - and these are considerable.
3 years (extendable to 6)
£340 (varies, employee-side)
L-1 Intracompany Transfer
L-1 Intracompany Transfer
Most popular route for Brits at multinationals. No lottery, no cap. You generally must have worked abroad for a qualifying organisation for one continuous year within the preceding three years. Popular Barclays, HSBC, BP, Big Four pathway. Blanket L cases can also trigger a $500 fraud-prevention fee and, in some cases, an additional $4,500 fee.
Up to 7 years (managers)
$205 visa fee; petition and blanket-L fees may apply
E-2 Treaty Investor
E-2 Treaty Investor
One of the best options specifically for British citizens (treaty since 1815). Recommend $80,000–200,000+ investment. E spouses are generally employment-authorized incident to status. Doesn't lead directly to green card.
5 years (renewable indefinitely)
~$315 (plus investment)
O-1 Extraordinary Ability
O-1 Extraordinary Ability
No cap, no lottery. For sustained national/international acclaim. Popular with British artists, academics, entrepreneurs, senior tech.
3 years (unlimited extensions)
£900–3,130
K-1 Fiancé(e) / CR-1 Spouse
K-1 Fiancé(e) / CR-1 Spouse
K-1: must marry within 90 days. CR-1/IR-1: green card on entry. Processing can take around 12-24 months. These are different processes with different fee stacks. K1: $675 I-129F filing + $265 visa fee + adjustment-of-status fees after marriage. CR-1 /IR-1: $625 online / $675 paper I-130 + $325 immigrant visa fee + $120 Affidavit of Support review fee + $235 USCIS immigrant fee
Permanent (spouse)
£1,000–2,000
There is no digital nomad visa and no retirement visa.
If you want to live in the US long-term, you need employer sponsorship, family sponsorship, investment… or extraordinary talent.
There is no casual "just move there and wing it" option. You’ll do well to make it through border control if that is your intention!
UK applicants usually avoid the worst green card backlogs in many employment categories. Unlike applicants from India or China who face 10+ year waits, Brits typically receive green cards within 1-2 years of approval. Check the current Visa Bulletin every month.
Citizenship in the US requires 5 years as a green card holder (or 3 years if married to a US citizen), plus English and civics tests. Dual nationality is explicitly permitted by both countries… you do not have to give up your British passport.
Common paths include: L-1 for those at multinationals, E-2 for business owners with capital, CR-1 for spouses. The H-1B lottery is notoriously brutal - always have a backup plan. And always, always consult an immigration lawyer before making decisions.
Cost of Living
| Category | USA | UK | London |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bed flat city centre | £1,244/mo | £1,019 | £2,367 |
| Three-bed flat city centre | £2,003/mo | £1,680 | £3,810 |
| Meal out mid-range (2 people) | £57 | £65 | £80 |
| Beer (pint) | £4.48 | £5.00 | £6.50 |
| Monthly transport pass | £49 | £75 | £200 |
| Utilities (monthly) | £159 | £240 | £286 |
| International school (annual) | £18,812 | £16,593 | £22,597 |
Source: Numbeo, March 2026. Exchange rate: £1 = $1.34.
The US is so huge and sprawling that all of the figures above have to be taken with a massive pinch of salt. The true cost of living in America varies dramatically from state to state.
If we look at headline averages, rent is cheaper than the UK in most cities. Eating and drinking are comparable until you factor in the mandatory 20% tip. Groceries vary across the board, but according to Numbeo, a similar basket will come in about 18% pricier State-side.
Utilities and public transport are cheaper. But the real cost gap is hidden: tipping on everything, health insurance premiums, car ownership costs, and the absence of a “welfare safety net” combine to make the true cost of American life much weightier than headline Numbeo figures suggest.
Very very rough budget guide: Single person £2,100-2,500/mo. Couple £3,200-4,000/mo. Family of four £5,700-6,800/mo. In New York City add 40%. In Austin subtract 25%. These figures don't include health insurance if you are self-employed - easily £800+/mo for a couple.
Climate
Weather data for Washington D.C., USA. 30-year averages from Open-Meteo (1991–2020).
Average Monthly Temperature (°C)
Average Monthly Rainfall (mm)
Right Now in Washington D.C.
Overcast
Feels Like
10°C
Humidity
65%
Wind
10 km/h
Hottest Month
Jul (32°C)
Coldest Month
Jan (-2°C)
Wettest Month
Dec (116mm)
Driest Month
Oct (56mm)
Annual Rainfall
1,076mm
Avg Temperature
10–19°C
Where to Live
The United States spans 50 states across six time zones, and where you choose to live will define your experience more than any other decision.
The Brits who call the USA home are spread across this vast country from east to west coast and from the borders of Mexico in the south to Canada in the North.
Drawn to everything from the isolated terrains of Nevada to the characterful communities of Louisiana, the urban megacities of New York and Los Angeles to picturesque New England, Brits are everywhere.
However, there are some states, cities and towns which tend to attract more people from the UK than others and with obvious reasons.
A Brit in Brooklyn lives a fundamentally different life to a Brit in suburban Houston.
We’ll be adding some city guides below to give you a closer look at what life is really like in some of the USA’s most popular expat hot-spots.
Austin
Most affordable city on the list with a booming tech sector (Tesla, Apple, Google) and no state income tax. Music-obsessed, food-truck-rich, and brutally hot in summer.
2.3M (metro)
£3,500–4,300/mo
Boston
Most 'British-feeling' US city — historic, intellectual, walkable. Home to Harvard, MIT, and the world's strongest biotech cluster. Closest major US city to the UK (6.5hr flight).
4.9M (metro)
£4,200–5,100/mo
Los Angeles
Second-largest British community. Entertainment, tech ('Silicon Beach'), 300+ days of sunshine. Everything revolves around driving — budget 2+ hours daily in traffic.
13M (metro)
£4,200–5,200/mo
Miami
Year-round warmth, beaches, growing finance sector, no state income tax. Latin-influenced culture feels more Caribbean than typically American. Hurricane season is serious.
6.1M (metro)
£4,100–5,000/mo
New York City
The closest thing to London, cranked up several notches. Largest British expat community in the US — 1 in 5 Brits in America live here. The only US city where you don't need a car.
20M (metro)
£4,800–5,800/mo
San Francisco
Global capital of tech and venture capital. Highest average salaries on this list (~£5,440/mo net). Stunning geography but comfortable living requires £82,000+ income per person.
4.7M (Bay Area)
£4,600–5,500/mo
Healthcare
We’ve listed US healthcare as ‘Good’, but there’s a pretty big caveat to this.
“As long as you have insurance…”
To be clear: there is no NHS equivalent in the US.
Healthcare is employer-linked, insurance-based, and very very expensive. If you have good employer-sponsored insurance, the quality of care is world-class and wait times are dramatically shorter than the NHS.
If you don't, or if you're self-employed, healthcare becomes a source of constant financial anxiety.
The healthcare gap is one of the most divisive issues in modern US politics.
How insurance works
Most employed Brits get insurance through their employer, who typically pays around 74% of the premium.
If you're self-employed, you buy on the ACA (Affordable Care Act) marketplace. Insurance comes in tiers - Bronze (cheapest premiums, highest out-of-pocket), Silver, Gold, and Platinum (most expensive premiums, lowest out-of-pocket).
The average annual deductible - what you pay before insurance kicks in - is roughly the equivalent of £1,410 for employer plans and £2,080 for marketplace plans. This varies all the time, so please treat those numbers as rough guidance only.
Insurance costs
| Scenario | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Individual (age 35) | £400–430 | £4,800–5,200 |
| Couple | £800–870 | £9,600–10,400 |
| Family of four | £1,150–1,350 | £13,800–16,200 |
Monthly and annual health insurance costs without employer subsidy.
With employer-sponsored insurance, typical employee contributions drop to an average of roughly £95/month for an individual and £450/month for a family - but you'll still face copays, deductibles, and coinsurance on top.
What things actually cost
- GP (primary care) visit: £115-230 without insurance, £20-40 copay with insurance
- Dental check-up and cleaning: £115-270
- Hospital stay per night: £2,335
- Emergency room visit: £1,150-2,310
- Ambulance: £385-2,690 (air ambulance: £15,400-61,500!)
Inevitably, the British press is full of stories of travelling Brits having accidents on holiday and ending up with eye-watering bills to bring home.
Insurance is essential here.
Compared to the NHS
With good insurance, the quality of care in many states is world-class.
Of course, it varies by cities.
As a general rule though, wait times are much shorter - you can often see a specialist within days rather than months. But through it all, the financial anxiety never fully goes away, dental and vision are separate policies, and the administrative burden of dealing with insurance companies is a part-time job.
UK prescriptions don't transfer, but American pharmacies fill same-day.
Mental health
One bright spot - mental health services are far more readily available than through the NHS, but cost £75-190 per session without insurance coverage.
The ACA mandates that insurance plans cover mental health, though finding in-network therapists can still be a challenge in some areas.
Budget: with employer insurance, expect £1,500-3,000/year in out-of-pocket costs. Self-funded or on the marketplace, budget £8,000-12,000/year per person for premiums plus out-of-pocket expenses. Not cheap.
Tax
Federal income tax
The US uses a progressive federal income tax system with rates from 10% to 37%. For tax year 2026, the federal standard deduction is $16,100 for single filers and $32,200 for married couples filing jointly. The 37% rate starts at $640,600 for single filers and $768,700 for married couples filing jointly.
Critically, the United States taxes worldwide income… something that many of us find hard to even fathom. If you're a US tax resident, every pound you earn globally is reportable.
Uncle Sam doesn’t want to miss out on a single cent!
State income tax
As of 2026, eight states do not have individual income tax: Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas and Wyoming.
Washington does not tax wage income, but it does tax certain capital gains.
At the other end of the extreme, you have California, which adds up to 13.3% and New York City can add 12%+ when you combine state and city taxes.
Your choice of state is one of several very important financial decisions you'll make as a US expat.
UK-US Double Taxation Agreement
The UK-US Double Taxation Agreement (2001, amended 2003) uses a Foreign Tax Credit mechanism to prevent double taxation.
By this we see that UK pension income is taxable only in the US. The Statutory Residence Test requires fewer than 16 days in the UK to be automatically non-resident (although there are exceptions to this so 1. be careful and 2. consult a professional); split-year treatment is available for the year you move.
Remote workers
If you work remotely for a UK employer while living in the US, the US still taxes your GBP income. What did we say about Uncle Sam?!
Your UK employer may actually need to set up US payroll. The US-UK Totalization Agreement prevents you from paying social security contributions to both countries simultaneously.
Capital gains
The US is a little bit more generous on capital gains: long-term rates are 0%, 15%, or 20% depending on income. There's a $250,000 exclusion ($500,000 for couples) on primary home sales.
Compare that to the UK's 18-24% rates with just a £3,000 annual exemption.
UK state pension
After moving, your UK state pension remains index-linked in the USA thanks to the social security agreement - so the all important triple lock continues to apply.
Under the UK-US treaty, private pensions are generally taxable in the country of residence, but government-service pensions and some edge cases are treated differently. Consult with a professional here.
UK State Pension is generally paid and uprated in the USA under reciprocal arrangements.
FBAR and FATCA reporting
If you hold overseas accounts with a combined value exceeding $10,000 at any point during the year, you must file an FBAR (FinCEN 114).
A cursory glance shows that the penalties for non-compliance are eye-watering: $16,536 per violation for non-wilful failures, and up to $165,367 or 50% of account balance for wilful violations.
UK ISAs ideally need specialist US-UK tax review before you move; do not assume the UK tax treatment carries over for U.S. purposes, and certainly don’t assume liquidation is always the right answer.
A specialist US-UK cross-border tax adviser is not optional. The interaction between two tax systems, FBAR reporting, pension treatment, and state-level variation makes DIY filing not just a headache, but seriously dangerous too. Get a professional!
Families & Schools
Education facilities vary dramatically depending on the state and area you are considering; however, the USA overall has a good school system which, just like the UK, has failing and outstanding institutes.
The education system is typically comprised of elementary school (kindergarten to 5th grade or age 5-10), middle school (6th to 8th grade or age 11-13) and high school (9th to 12th grade or age 14-18).
Enrolment in state funded schools is down to application by district.
However, private and international schools are widely available in most major cities and give a more diverse choice in the type of curriculum which is followed as well as offering options on the types of qualifications gained.
Seven of the top ten best universities in the world are based in the United States, according to TIME (2026).
British international schools
There are far too many international schools to give you a complete breakdown here, but we’ve chosen a selection of famous British schools and their rough pricing (converted to GBP, as of 2026):
- Nord Anglia International School New York: Nursery $43,800; Reception $47,800; Years 1–9 $57,800, plus fees. 5:1 student-teacher ratio, approximately 40 nationalities represented
- British International School of Houston (Nord Anglia): $15,540 to $39,500 depending on year group, plus fees and deposits. 32-acre campus.
- British International School of Charlotte: $17,290 to $35,800 depending on age/year group, plus fees. Class sizes of 10
- Nord Anglia also operates British curriculum schools in Boston, Chicago, Washington DC, and Florida
US public schools
US public schools are free and, just like in the UK, quality varies massively from town to town. A few streets can make a huge difference between world-beating facilities and overrun poverty.
School quality is funded by local property taxes, which means house prices are directly linked to school quality - and this is the single most important thing to understand about American education.
Use GreatSchools.org to research districts before choosing where to live. The system runs Elementary (K-5), Middle (6-8), and High School (9-12).
There are no GCSEs or A-Levels.
Childcare
There are no free childcare hours in the US.
Full-time infant daycare averages £11,000/year nationally, rising to £18,000-21,000+ in expensive cities.
A full-time nanny costs approximately £33,500/year.
Add to this the fact that there is no statutory maternity or paternity leave at the federal level - it depends entirely on your employer and state.
And what do you have? A very expensive country for raising kids.
Safety
If we’re being honest, this is one of those issues that scares many Brits away from a life in the States.
The US has a terrible track record with gun safety, and there are far too many incidents of shootings in schools.
As a result, active shooter drills are routine in American schools. The statistical risk remains low, but it is culturally jarring for British parents and something you need to prepare your children for.
Most Americans believe viscerally in their right to carry arms and do not appreciate objections raised by outsiders on the matter. To keep out of harms way, you should educate your children about the dangers of guns which can be particularly pertinent if they are visiting the homes of other families.
Family life
American childhood offers space, sunshine, confidence-building culture, and a raft of extracurricular opportunities that put most UK schools to shame.
But you'll pay through the nose for childcare, worry more about safety than you ever did in the UK, and watch your children develop American accents within six months… it’s all part of the journey.
What may not come as a surprise if you have ever visited America is the propensity with Americans to be extremely friendly and welcoming. Whilst this may seem like a stereotype, it is based on certain truisms particularly with Brits moving to the USA.
Americans love their country and are usually very welcoming towards the British - including young families and kids.
Practicalities
Driving
Because of the size of most cities and states, owning a car is essential when living in the US. Fortunately, the cost of owning a car is not prohibitive with low fuel and ownership costs.
In many states, your UK driving licence is valid for 90 days after arrival - but requirements are state-specific. There is no reciprocal licence exchange agreement… so you'll need to take the full US driving test in most states, though it's considerably easier than the UK test (not necessarily a good thing on the roads!).
Public transport is genuinely poor outside New York, Chicago, Boston, Washington DC, and San Francisco.
Budget for a car… it's not optional in most of America.
Phones and internet
Prepaid SIM cards require no credit check and no SSN. Budget carriers like Mint Mobile, Visible, and US Mobile cost £7-23/month. Postpaid plans from T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T go for £40-70/month.
Home internet averages £37-60/month.
All of these basic utilities are super competitive in the US. You can make big savings by simply shopping around or taking advantage of the American love for a “sale season”.
Banking
Bank of America and PNC can open accounts without a Social Security Number. HSBC offers international banking that lets you set up a US account before arrival.
Your UK credit history does not transfer - you start from zero.
America runs on credit so there’s no time to lose here.
Get a secured credit card immediately and use it for everything to build your credit history. Use Wise for GBP-USD transfers.
Language
Same language, sort of.
"Public school" means state school.
"Pants" means trousers, not underwear.
Never say "fag" (homophobic slur, not cigarette). And avoid casually dropping the C-bomb in public… unless you want to suck the life out of a room.
Your dry sarcasm will be taken literally… Americans default to sincerity and if you need any example of this, just watch and compare The Office UK vs The Office US!
Property
Foreigners can buy US property with no restrictions and no additional surcharges. But that said, financing can be harder, and foreign owners can face extra reporting and FIRPTA withholding when they sell.
As always, we suggest you rent for at least 12 months before buying - yo’ll definitely need time to understand neighbourhoods and the market.
Without a US credit history, expect to pay larger deposits. In New York City, broker fees can run up to 15% of annual rent.
In many cases, it will be necessary to wait before buying if only to build up the requisite credit history.
Pets
There are new CDC rules from August 2024 that require that dogs entering the US must be at least 6 months old, microchipped, appear healthy, and have a completed CDC Dog Import Form (free).
There is no quarantine for dogs arriving from the UK. At the federal level, APHIS says it has no animal-health requirements for importing a pet cat into the US, but your destination state or territory may have other requirements.
In all cases, we recommend relocating pets with the help of a specialist agency. Budget around £1,400-4,000 to have the process handled for you from start to finish.
The country changes. The expat questions don't.
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