United States: residency, citizenship and cost of living
Paths checked against sources: 2026-10
Path to citizenship
The $100,000 fee on new petitions for workers abroad was ruled unlawful by a court on 8 June 2026, but the ruling is under appeal and its status is disputed; a change of status from F-1 to H-1B inside the US is exempt. Since 2026 the H-1B lottery is weighted by wage level. Programmes for Ukrainians (, ) are not modelled.
- • 5 years with a green card, English, civics test
- • 3 years with a green card married to a US citizen
Citizenship application processing, years: 0.5–1.
Check your own pathMonthly budget
Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 10.2026. Deposits, furniture and the move itself are not included.
| City | Single | Family 2+2 |
|---|---|---|
| New York | $4,060≈ €3,620 | $9,030≈ €8,050 |
| Los Angeles | $3,780≈ €3,370 | $8,840≈ €7,880 |
| San Francisco | $4,340≈ €3,870 | $9,880≈ €8,810 |
| Chicago | $2,750≈ €2,450 | $6,730≈ €6,000 |
| Houston | $2,630≈ €2,350 | $6,200≈ €5,530 |
| Miami | $3,300≈ €2,950 | $7,390≈ €6,590 |
Country scores (out of 100)
- Safety60
- Earning potential96
- Healthcare84
- Path to citizenship56
- Schools and education60
- Environment92
- Warm, sunny climate59
Frequently asked questions
How do you get citizenship in United States, and how long does it take?
5 years with a green card, English, civics test; 3 years with a green card married to a US citizen. Processing takes 0.5–1 years. The questionnaire shows the timeline for your situation.
How do you get residency in United States?
The main routes we cover: F-1 student visa and OPT; H-1B work visa; Green card (permanent residence). The questionnaire shows which fit you and where they lead next.
How much does it cost to live in United States per month?
Per month, one person / family of four: New York ≈ $4,060 / $9,030; Los Angeles ≈ $3,780 / $8,840; San Francisco ≈ $4,340 / $9,880; Chicago ≈ $2,750 / $6,730; Houston ≈ $2,630 / $6,200; Miami ≈ $3,300 / $7,390. Average lifestyle, employed; data as of 10.2026.
How much is rent in United States?
A home for one person, from modest to comfortable: New York $2,660–$2,910; Los Angeles $2,330–$2,900; San Francisco $2,980–$3,600; Chicago $1,580–$1,780; Houston $1,320–$1,570; Miami $2,030–$2,440.
How up to date is this data?
Paths to citizenship checked against sources: 10.2026; budget as of 10.2026. Sources are listed on this page; rules change, so check official sites before deciding.
Sources
- Naturalisation
- H-1B
- The queue for an employment-based green card depends on country of birth (State Department Visa Bulletin, November 2026)
- F-1 student visa, then OPT after graduation; switching to H-1B is exempt from the $100,000 fee
- Green card for the spouse of a US citizen
- The $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions for workers abroad
This is not legal advice. Rules change — check official sources before deciding.