Moving to the USA in 2026: how much does it actually cost to start for a couple without children

For a couple without children, a typical starting budget for moving to the USA in 2026 usually ranges from 12,000 to 15,000 dollars — depending on the city, visa type, and housing. This amount consists of three blocks: legal expenses, transportation, and the first month of living. Below is a breakdown of each expense item.

What determines the relocation budget

The total amount depends on several factors at once. First, the type of move and route: a ticket to New York is on average cheaper than to Los Angeles, simply because of the shorter distance and larger number of flights. Second, whether you’re moving on your own or with family — each additional person means a separate ticket, a separate visa fee, and more expenses for the first month.

The destination also matters: the budget difference between Washington and Dallas can be larger than the difference between countries, because rent, transportation, and groceries depend on the specific state and city. It’s important whether you have housing for the first few weeks with people you know — that’s a significant saving, and whether you already have a job offer — then the start is easier, without needing a financial cushion while searching.

There’s also a separate consideration: with some visa types, your partner may not be allowed to work, and this period can last from one and a half to two years. In that case, plan on supporting the family on your own initially. Costs are also affected by help from friends or the local community and the need for a car — in some US cities you can’t get by without your own vehicle.

Legal expenses: visas, medical examination, translations

The visa fee depends on the visa type: tourist or student visas cost around 185 dollars, work visas or visas for talented individuals — 205 dollars per person, fiancé(e) visa for US citizens — 265 dollars, Diversity Visa lottery — 330 dollars. For popular non-immigrant visas, the calculation uses 410 dollars for two people.

Since October 2025, a mandatory visa integrity fee has been added — 250 dollars per person, paid when the visa is issued. For a couple, that’s an additional 500 dollars, and this is what most calculations tend to forget.

A medical examination is required in many immigration processes, but not for all visa types: examination, tests, and a standard vaccination package will cost 400–900 dollars for two people depending on where the examination is conducted and existing vaccination records. Without vaccination records from childhood, you’ll have to pay the maximum, as each vaccine dose at certified centers is expensive.

Document translations and notarization cost approximately 350 dollars, plus about 150 dollars for minor administrative expenses — delivery, photos, digital processing fees. Overall, the legal part costs approximately 2,200 dollars.

Transportation expenses: flights and local travel

A one-way flight from Warsaw to New York with luggage for two costs between 1,200 and 2,500 dollars depending on the season and baggage, with the East Coast traditionally being cheaper than the West Coast.

After landing, you need an airport transfer: if you have a lot of luggage, a regular sedan won’t fit all the suitcases, and you’ll need to take Uber XL or Lyft for approximately 150 dollars. If your destination city is different from where you’re landing, add internal travel — for example, a train ticket from New York to Boston for one person costs between 50 and 200 dollars depending on the train type.

If your destination is not New York or Chicago with a developed subway system, set aside a minimum of 7–8 thousand dollars for purchasing your first used car, plus about 200–300 dollars a month for insurance — for a driver without US driving history, it’s always more expensive.

First month of life in the USA

Apartment rental averages 1,650 dollars per month. Apartments in the USA are often rented unfurnished — without a microwave, television, kettle, and sometimes without chairs, which means additional expenses for furnishing. Budget around 1,500 dollars for furniture and appliances, though you can save on garage sales, IKEA, or Amazon.

Besides rent, you need a deposit: due to lack of credit history in the USA, the amount can range from one to two months’ rent. At one and a half months’ rent, that’s about 2,475 dollars extra. You’ll also need temporary housing for 7–10 days while searching for a permanent apartment — Airbnb for this period will cost about 1,050 dollars.

Groceries and household supplies for a month — approximately 850 dollars, mobile phone and home internet — 170 dollars, local transportation at the start — 250 dollars, utilities — about 150 dollars. Short-term health insurance for the first month costs approximately 450 dollars — it’s better not to skip it, as a single ambulance call can cost anywhere from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on the state. Overall, the first month in the USA for two people costs approximately 8,500 dollars.