Moving to The United Kingdom from The United States

Changing your living environment is always a disruptive experience – but when you’re swapping to the other side of the globe the change can be profound. Arming yourself with key facts about your new location can be a great way to make it as stress-free as possible.

So, if you are considering making the move from the United States to the United Kingdom, this guide will provide you with everything you need to know about the big move – from visa requirements to cost of living differences; healthcare to moving with your pets – helping you to feel empowered when the time comes to make your move.

Quick United Kingdom Facts:

Population: 67.33 million (2021 estimate)
Official Language: English (de facto), spoken by 91.1% of the population
GDP Per Capita: $46,510 USD (2021 estimate)
Random Fact: The famed site of Stonehenge in Wiltshire was thought to be erected in 3100 B.C.E. – which makes it older than Egyptian pyramids!
Currency: Pound sterling (£). As of late 2023, £1 = $1.25, €1 = £1.15, $1 CAD = $1.72, $1 AUD = $1.91

Sections

1. Moving Costs to The United Kingdom from The United States

The table below shows the estimated cost of hiring a 20- or 40-foot container from different US ports and shipping it to the largest cities in the UK:

US Port	Destination City	20FT	40FT
Charleston	Birmingham	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,700 - $6,200
	Glasgow	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,800 - $6,300
	Liverpool	$3,400 - $3,900	$5,500 - $6,000
	London	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,900 - $6,400
	Manchester	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,700 - $6,200
Houston	Birmingham	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,800 - $6,300
	Glasgow	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,900 - $6,400
	Liverpool	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,700 - $6,200
	London	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
	Manchester	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,800 - $6,300
Long Beach	Birmingham	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
	Glasgow	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,100 - $6,600
	Liverpool	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,900 - $6,400
	London	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,200 - $6,700
	Manchester	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
Los Angeles	Birmingham	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,100 - $6,600
	Glasgow	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,200 - $6,700
	Liverpool	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
	London	$4,100 - $4,600	$6,300 - $6,800
	Manchester	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,100 - $6,600
Miami	Birmingham	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
	Glasgow	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,100 - $6,600
	Liverpool	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,900 - $6,400
	London	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,200 - $6,700
	Manchester	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
New York	Birmingham	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,700 - $6,200
	Glasgow	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,800 - $6,300
	Liverpool	$3,400 - $3,900	$5,500 - $6,000
	London	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,900 - $6,400
	Manchester	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,700 - $6,200
Oakland	Birmingham	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,100 - $6,600
	Glasgow	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,200 - $6,700
	Liverpool	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
	London	$4,100 - $4,600	$6,300 - $6,800
	Manchester	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,100 - $6,600
Savannah	Birmingham	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,800 - $6,300
	Glasgow	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,900 - $6,400
	Liverpool	$3,500 - $4,000	$5,700 - $6,200
	London	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
	Manchester	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,800 - $6,300
Seattle	Birmingham	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,200 - $6,700
	Glasgow	$4,100 - $4,600	$6,300 - $6,800
	Liverpool	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,100 - $6,600
	London	$4,200 - $4,700	$6,400 - $6,900
	Manchester	$4,000 - $4,500	$6,200 - $6,700
Virginia	Birmingham	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,900 - $6,400
	Glasgow	$3,800 - $4,300	$6,000 - $6,500
	Liverpool	$3,600 - $4,100	$5,800 - $6,300
	London	$3,900 - $4,400	$6,100 - $6,600
	Manchester	$3,700 - $4,200	$5,900 - $6,400

All figures are in USD;
The rates above are estimates only and may have changed since the time this article was updated (July 2024). They are based on the lowest estimated rate from either Freightos, iContainers, or SeaRates;
To get a more accurate idea of the cost for you, please use the quote form at the top of this page;
Please also see our guide to international container shipping.

2. How Long Does It Take To Move to The United Kingdom from The United States?

Let’s take a look at some American states from a range of locations in the north, east, south and west of the country to give you an idea of move time, to both London and Scotland destinations in the United Kingdom.

New York to London Heathrow – 7 hours, 21 minutes – $400
Los Angeles to London Heathrow – 11 hours, 21 minutes – $400
Minneapolis to London Heathrow – 18 hours, 47 minutes – $780
Dallas to London Heathrow – 9 hours, 56 minutes – $750
New York to Edinburgh – 6 hours, 57 minutes – $435
Los Angeles to Edinburgh – 10 hours, 46 minutes – $450
Minneapolis to Edinburgh- 19 hours, 24 minutes – $750
Dallas to Edinburgh – 9 hours, 28 minutes – $690

This duration covers the flight time only, so additional time will need to be added to get you from the terminal to your final location.

3. Moving Restrictions to The United Kingdom from The United States

Moving from one country to take up residency in another will incur various restrictions – most notably, this comes in the form of visa requirements, which we will cover in the next section.

Before your move, you’ll want to ensure all boxes are ticked so that your transition is smooth. This will involve sorting your visa, finding accommodation, and if necessary opening a bank account to allow you to rent or buy property in the United Kingdom.

It may be required in some cases to show proof of vaccinations, as well as criminal records if you are set to be working with vulnerable people.

4. Visa Requirements to The United Kingdom from The United States

Alongside a valid US passport, you will need a visa to grant you entry into the United Kingdom from the United States. The U.S. Embassy and Consulates will carry the most up-to-date information for you to look at.

The visa application needs to be planned as visa appointments are notoriously hard to secure. An expedited service is available for last-minute travel, subject to the availability of the office.

You will need a valid visa to gain entry to the United Kingdom as an American citizen, with the only exception to this being if you are planning on staying in the United Kingdom for less than six months, but if this is the case, during this time you will not be permitted to legally work.

Here’s a sample of visa options:

Skilled Worker visa (up to 5 years before renewal)
Health and Care Worker visa (up to 5 years before renewal)
Graduate visa (2 years)
Seasonal Worker visa (varied lengths)

Some visa choices are available without job offers, while others are contingent on you having an employment contract ready in the United Kingdom. Also, some of these can help you to gain indefinite leave to remain (ILR) in the United Kingdom.

In all cases, you need to speak to a visa specialist to advise you on your individual circumstances and always keep up to date with the latest changes in the rules.

5. Cost of Living Differences in the United Kingdom

While this article is covering the United Kingdom as a whole, house prices will obviously vary from area to area but the figures below will give you an indication of what’s available at what price.

As a general note, it is estimated that the cost of living in the United Kingdom is 16.2% lower than that of the United States, with rent being around 36.5% lower.

Monthly Rental Prices in the United Kingdom:

1 bedroom flat (apartment) in City Centre: £930+
1 bedroom flat outside the City Centre: £726+
3 bedroomed flat in City Centre: £1,625+
3 bedroomed flat outside the City Centre: £1,225+

United Kingdom Home Purchase Prices:

Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: £4,500+
Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside the City: £3,395+

Source: Numbeo

6. Tax Treaties in the United Kingdom

The taxation rules in the United Kingdom will vary depending on whether or not you are classed as a resident of the United Kingdom.

To be classed as a resident, you must:

Spend 183 days or more in the United Kingdom during one tax year (April – April)
Have a home in the United Kingdom
Have a full-time job in the United Kingdom

If these points apply, you will be taxed on your worldwide income – this will include any United Kingdom and any US income.

However, if you are classed as a non-resident, you will only be taxed on the income you earn in the United Kingdom, and your US earnings (if applicable) will not be subject to United Kingdom taxation.

7. Working Rules in the United Kingdom

There are several permits and visas required for US citizens to enable them to work in the United Kingdom legally. According to Gov.uk, these can range from:

Health and Care Worker visa
Skilled Worker visa
Senior or Specialist Worker visa
Overseas Domestic Worker visa
Secondment Worker visa
Service Supplier visa
United Kingdom Expansion Worker visa
Representative of an Overseas Business visa

Depending on the exact type, these visas can cover you if you have a job offer for a role in the United Kingdom, or if you need to work in the United Kingdom for your overseas employer.

Whatever your employment circumstances, it’s important to have your visa ironed out before entering the country to ensure a smooth transition. It’s also important to get up to speed with taxes and any beneficial programs, such as healthcare schemes so that you are completely clued up on your rights.

8. Healthcare in the United Kingdom

Unlike the US, the United Kingdom benefits from the NHS – the National Health Service, which is publically funded – which offers free healthcare. This means that UK residents are granted free healthcare from hospital visits as well as mental health and physician aid.

This means that anyone in the United Kingdom can receive free healthcare – although it’s important to note that while emergency treatment will be available to anyone, anything further to that, such as specialised services or other treatments if you are a non-resident, will likely incur a fee.

It’s a good idea to get clued up on the ins and outs of the United Kingdom’s healthcare before visiting so you know what to do in a medical emergency – and it’s usually the case that Medicare and Medicaid packages in the US will not cover you while you’re in the United Kingdom.

9. Rules Around Moving With Pets in the United Kingdom

If you need to move to the United Kingdom with a pet or two in tow, here’s what you need to know. The Gov.uk website says that it’s permissible to bring a dog, cat or ferret from the US – which is named as a ‘part 2’ listed country – into the United Kingdom.

To do so legally, you’ll need to ensure that:

Your pet is vaccinated against rabies
Your pet is microchipped
Your pet has a Great Britain health certificate to deem it healthy to fly

There will be certain restrictions imposed by the airlines as to how your pet will travel, but they will likely be cargo unless they are an assistance dog or if you are travelling via a chartered private plane.

Failure to follow these steps may place your pet in quarantine upon arrival to the United Kingdom or even sent back to your starting country. For full information, it’s best to check the Gov.uk website for up-to-date information.

10. Similar Cities

While there are several states to choose from in the US, each with their own personalities and quirks, when it comes to similar cities we can draw comparisons between the United Kingdom’s London and New York, as both metropolitan, bustling cities.

Both London and New York are expensive cities, but consumer prices in New York are 23.5% higher than those in London, without rent being counted. When rent is included, this rises to 33.4%.

With both places having expensive options for eating, New York comes out as slightly more expensive, being 15.6% higher on average when compared to London. With a bigger jump in price, groceries are around 63.8% higher than in London.

As a result of these price hikes, local purchasing power is 22.6% higher than in London.

11. Pros and Cons of Moving to the United Kingdom from the United States

Let’s take a look at some of the main pros and cons associated with moving from the US to the United Kingdom to give you a balanced overview.

Advantages of Moving from the US to the United Kingdom	Disadvantages of Moving from the US to the United Kingdom
Healthcare - the NHS is in the United Kingdom, meaning that urgent medical assistance is available for free, as well as GP visits for United Kingdom citizens, unlike the US	Visa restrictions - depending on your history, you may not be granted entry to the country, and visa applications are notoriously lengthy processes
Easier to get around - the United Kingdom is vastly smaller than the US, meaning you can travel from top to toe easily without the need of multiple flights or road trips	Higher salaries - the US typically heralds higher salaries than those seen in the United Kingdom which may be a deterrent for some
Good base to travel to Europe - the United Kingdom is well-positioned if you wish to continue your travels into Europe, opening up a world of opportunity	Distance from 'home' - you will have a sea parting you from your family (if they are still in the US), adding extra time and cost to otherwise quick trips to catch up with each other

Whatever you decide, it’s important that you understand the legal factors affecting your move – be sure to speak to The U.S. Embassy and Consulates for all the information you need.