WHERE TO SETTLE IN THE USA 

 WHERE TO SETTLE IN THE USA 

Moving to the USA: a dream come true... but you still need to know where to live. While for some, the ideal location takes the form of wide open spaces and fresh air, for others, the dream is to be in the heart of a dynamic and vibrant city.

Jobs, schools, quality of life... many factors contribute to determining the ideal place to settle in the United States. If you're spoiled for choice, let us guide you from the west to the east of the United States...

In Idaho

Wooded

693,952 inhabitants

Median price of a home: $221,475

Average annual salary: $45,470

Boise, the capital of Idaho, tops the list with high scores for population growth. Indeed, in this city, net migration and housing affordability relative to median annual household income are higher than the national averages. To pay their rent, repay their loans, and finance incidental costs, Boise residents spend, on average, 22.49% of their income.

In Colorado

Denver

2,850,221 inhabitants

Median housing price: $401,542

Average annual salary: $59,440

Americans are saying it loud and clear: Denver remains a popular destination for moving to the U.S. Before the pandemic, the job market there was stable.

Boulder

321,030 inhabitants

Median housing price: $524,417

Average annual salary: $64,690

Boulder is a newcomer to the list of the most populated cities in the United States. This Colorado city enjoys a favorable reputation among American citizens. It offers excellent education for high school students and a good quality of life, including mountains within easy reach and an average annual salary of over $64,000.

In Texas

Dallas-Fort Worth

7,255,028 inhabitants

Median price of a dwelling: $255,033

Average annual salary: $52,590

Dallas-Fort Worth has the highest net migration rate. Between 2014 and 2018, the Dallas-Fort Worth region grew by 4.84%, driven by net migration alone (source: U.S. Census Bureau).

In Minnesota

Minneapolis-St. Paul

3,557,528 inhabitants

Median housing price: $237,367

Average annual salary: $57,420

In 2019, Minnesota's Twin Cities ranked sixth on the list of best places to live in the United States. In fact, the Minneapolis-St. Paul metropolitan area consistently earns respectable scores due to its cost of living, which remains affordable compared to the region's median household income.

In Wisconsin

Green Bay

317,702 inhabitants

Median price of a home: $175,117

Average annual salary: $45,570

Home to the iconic NFL Packers football team, Green Bay is located approximately 150 km north of Milwaukee. Consistently ranked as the "best place to live in America," Green Bay scores highly in terms of cost of living relative to the region's median household income. Households spend just over 20% on rent, mortgage payments, and related expenses, including property taxes and utilities.

Madison

647,281 inhabitants

Median price of a home: $259,500

Average annual salary: $52,890

Madison, Wisconsin's job market ranks 21st among the best places to live in the U.S. The average annual salary is also higher than the national average. Before the coronavirus crisis began, Madison enjoyed a relatively low unemployment rate of 2.5%.

In Michigan

Grand Rapids

1,050,440 inhabitants

Median price of a dwelling: $195,775

Average annual salary: $45,670

Ranking 9th in the ranking of the 150 most populous metropolitan areas in the United States, Grand Rapids also ranks very favorably on the quality of life scale. The latter takes into account the quality of public secondary education, commute time, crime rate and the general well-being of residents (source: Gallup ).

Ann Arbor

365,961 inhabitants

Median housing price: $263,225

Average annual salary: $55,130

Ann Arbor is primarily known as the home of the University of Michigan. This location offers excellent access to quality healthcare, according to U.S. News' Best Hospitals rankings, on par with Reading, Pennsylvania, York, Pennsylvania, and Trenton, New Jersey. Higher education is also of high quality.

In Maine

Portland

529,323 inhabitants

Median housing price: $292,250

Average annual salary: $51,260

The excellent quality of life in Maine's most populated area, Portland, has earned this high school's 23rd place in the U.S. list of the best cities to live. The relatively stable job market also contributes to the city's good reputation, making it a popular choice for foreigners to relocate to the U.S. Portland offers high-quality schools and universities, low crime rates, and acceptable commute times.

In Tennessee

Nashville

1,864,138 inhabitants

Median housing price: $263,625

Average annual salary: $48,370

Between 2014 and 2018, net migration allowed Nashville to see its population grow by 5.55%. Nashville residents are adamant: their adopted city is one of the most desirable places to settle in the United States.

In Arkansas

 

Fayetteville

526,412 inhabitants

Median housing price: $192,708

Average annual salary: $46,470

Fayetteville is characterized by rapid expansion. The cost of living is relatively low compared to household income, and the metropolitan area is experiencing significant population growth, primarily due to net migration and good quality of life scores.

In Massachusetts

Boston

4,811,732 inhabitants

Median housing price: $441,358

Average annual salary: $67,370

Boston remains an expensive place to live, and many Americans and foreigners choose it when it comes to settling in the United States. Its attractiveness more than compensates for this obstacle, and today, the city ranks 15th among the 150 most populous metropolitan areas in the United States where it's good to live.

In Alabama

Huntsville

450,612 inhabitants

Median housing price: $179,175

Average annual salary: $54,630

Located in northern Alabama, Huntsville is one of the most affordable cities in the United States' most populated metropolitan areas. It boasts a thriving job market, with many local companies focused on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

In Florida

Sarasota

785,997 inhabitants

Median housing price: $227,754

Average annual salary: $44,230

Located on Florida's Gulf Coast, Sarasota is experiencing strong growth. In the four years leading up to 2018, its population increased by 10.85%, primarily due to net migration.

Naples

363,922 inhabitants

Median housing price: $326,900

Average annual salary: $46,290

Among the list of ideal places to settle in the USA, Naples is far from the most populated, with only 363,000 inhabitants. Located on the southern Gulf Coast of Florida, birthplace of the Everglades, Naples doesn't attract the same number of tourists as Miami or Tampa, but many Americans and foreigners choose it as their home.

In North Carolina

Raleigh and Durham

1,861,123 inhabitants

Median housing price: $259,429

Average annual salary: $54,789

The Raleigh-Durham metropolitan area continues to be an attractive relocation destination, primarily due to its affordability and thriving job market. Research, technology, education, and healthcare are all steadily growing sectors in this region of the United States.

Charlotte

2,473,125 inhabitants

Median housing price: $231,233

Average annual salary: $51,000

In 2019, Charlotte experienced rapid and sustained population growth. Charlotte ranks among the top 10 most desirable places to live in the United States.

in Washington

Seattle

3,809,717 inhabitants

Median home price: $463,600

Average annual salary: $65,400

Seattle stands out thanks to a vigorous job market that contributes to its attractiveness. In terms of average salary, at $65,400, Seattle ranks ahead of San Jose, California, San Francisco, Washington, DC, and Boston.

In California

San Francisco

4,673,221 inhabitants

Median housing price: $782,350

Average annual salary: $72,400

San Francisco's ranking as one of the best places to move to in the US is largely due to its job market. Just before the health crisis in March 2020, San Francisco had an unemployment rate of just 2.6%. Furthermore, the average annual salary is $72,400.

In Oregon

Portland

2,417,931 inhabitants

Median housing price: $390,350

Average annual salary: $56,160

According to Portland residents and year-over-year rankings, Portland is a particularly attractive place to live. Portland ranks just behind Colorado Springs, Colorado, Honolulu, and Los Angeles in the best places to move to in the USA. A stable job market and steady population growth, thanks to a five-year positive net migration, also contribute to this Oregon city's high ranking.

Of course, this list of places to move to in the USA in 2021 isn't exhaustive. However, it's a good resource for getting a fresh start on life across the Atlantic.