North America
Living in United States
Photo: Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco · Frank Schulenburg, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
A vast country with every climate from Alaska to Florida, the world's largest economy and mostly car-based life outside a few big cities. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate1° to 24°CColdest and warmest month averages, New York · 2020
Average temperature12.3°CNew York (whole country 9.4°C) · 2020
Price level100%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$5,104Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2025
Income per person$90,000GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2025
Unemployment4.2%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides5.8Per 100,000 people a year · 2023
Life expectancy78.9 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air7 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest34%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers80%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue10.8%Of GDP · 2024
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: English. English is an official language.
- Public transport: Limited: daily life mostly needs a car or taxis.
- Geography: Has a coastline, with mountain areas. Capital: Washington D.C..
Moving to United States
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: www.uscis.gov.
- United States student visa guide
- United States tourist / visit visa guide
- Study in United States
- Scholarships in United States
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 90,026.52 international $ | 2025 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 4.2 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 5.76 per 100,000 people | 2023 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | -0.3 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | 1.19 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 78.89 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 13,473.19 US$ per person | 2023 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 10.77 % of GDP | 2024 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 80.19 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 33.78 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 6.97 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 1 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 5,104.2 international $ per person per month | 2025 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 9.4 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 12.3 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | 1.1 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 23.7 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 1,310 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for New York are 2001–2020 averages.
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