In Silicon Valley, a regular latte costs over ten dollars, and the monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment often exceeds 3,000 dollars. Medical care, insurance, transportation, education, and retirement costs are all extremely high.
10 million RMB is approximately 1.4 million USD, which might not last ten years here. Add in social expenses, inflation, and psychological stress, and it feels more like ‘startup capital’ than a guarantee of financial freedom.
Analysis of Living Costs in the United States:
Comprehensive analysis of clothing, food, housing, transportation, healthcare, education, retirement, and homeownership
1. Clothing, Food, Housing, and Transportation: Silicon Valley’s Unattainable Living Costs
Silicon Valley (represented by San Jose and Palo Alto) is one of the most expensive regions in the United States. Taking San Jose as an example, the average monthly living expenses for a single person, excluding rent, are approximately 1,530 dollars;
When including rent, a one-bedroom apartment costs approximately $3,137 per month, and the median home price is as high as $1.86 million, with rental and homeownership costs exceeding the U.S. average by over 220%.
A family of four would need an annual income exceeding $125,000 to maintain a two-bedroom home within the 30% income range. This indicates that housing is the primary factor overwhelming many family budgets.
In terms of food, overall food prices in California are approximately 12% to 15% higher than the national average, with San Jose being approximately 15% higher. A single person’s monthly basic groceries cost approximately 300 to 400 USD, and dining out starts at 30 to 50 USD per meal, making living costs extremely high.
In terms of transportation, having a private car is almost essential for normal life in Silicon Valley. Insurance, gasoline, and parking fees are all expensive. Monthly miscellaneous expenses such as communication, utilities, and internet range from several hundred dollars, and are also essential expenditures.
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2. Medical expenses: The greatest risk in the unknown
The U.S. healthcare system is complex. Even with insurance, emergency room visits can cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars, with high out-of-pocket expenses and expensive medications. Even middle-class families can face significant financial strain from a single unexpected medical expense.
3. Education Expenses: High-Quality but Expensive
Public education from elementary school to high school is relatively free in the U.S., but attending top private schools in Silicon Valley or Ivy League universities can cost tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars in tuition. Additional expenses for extracurricular tutoring and summer camps are also significant.
4. Retirement Costs: Social Security Insufficient for High-Cost Regions
Relying on Social Security retirement benefits, the average monthly payment is approximately $1,700 per person, equivalent to an annual income of around $20,000. This is insufficient to sustain retirement living in Silicon Valley, with many retirees needing to continue working or rely on family support.
5. Housing Pressure: High Prices and High Debt Coexist
Purchasing a median-priced home in San Jose requires an annual income of approximately $370,000; otherwise, it is difficult to afford. Currently, households in San Jose with a median income below $100,000 face significant housing affordability challenges.
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10 million RMB in Silicon Valley:
How long can it last? Can you buy a car and a house?
According to the article’s data, 10 million RMB is approximately equivalent to 1.4 million USD (at the current exchange rate), and the ability to sustain a living in Silicon Valley is far less generous than imagined. The following analysis examines this from multiple angles.
1. Basic Living Expenses
Assuming extreme frugality—renting a low-end one-bedroom apartment, cooking meals at home, avoiding social activities, not purchasing high-end insurance, and not buying a car—monthly living expenses would be approximately $6,000 to $8,000, with annual expenses totaling $72,000 to $96,000.
Based on this calculation, 1.4 million USD could sustain such a lifestyle for approximately 15–20 years. However, this is an extremely conservative estimate.
2. More Realistic Expense Projections
The reality is that you cannot hide in ‘hermit mode.’ Most people must engage in social activities, maintain professional competitiveness, purchase equipment, attend training, pay for internet fees, car maintenance, occasional travel, insurance, and other comprehensive expenses that significantly increase living costs.
Medical emergencies or inflation could also quickly deplete savings. Considering all factors, 10 million RMB in Silicon Valley can only guarantee 8–10 years of a ‘decent middle-class lifestyle.’
3. Buying a car or a house?
Buying a car: 1.4 million USD can buy a used high-end brand or a new mid-range car, but insurance, maintenance, and parking fees will continue to increase expenses, amounting to several thousand to tens of thousands of USD annually.
Buying a house: The median house price is approximately 1.86 million USD, with a 20% down payment required, amounting to 370,000 USD. However, high loan interest rates, significant monthly mortgage payments, and property taxes and maintenance fees cannot be ignored. Choosing to buy a house would severely compress disposable cash and lifestyle flexibility.
In summary, 10 million RMB is insufficient to achieve a stable asset-based lifestyle in Silicon Valley in the long term. This amount represents short-term ‘startup capital’ and is far from sufficient for financial freedom or permanent settlement capital.
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Mainstream Methods for Relocating to the United States:
EB-5, EB-1A, Trump Gold Card
1. EB-5 Investment Immigration
The EB-5 visa is one of the most mainstream investment immigration pathways. Under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act, the standard investment amount is 1,050,000 USD, but it can be reduced to 800,000 USD if invested in a ‘Targeted Employment Area’ (TEA).
Investors must create at least 10 full-time U.S. jobs. The policy is valid until 2027. While there is currently a backlog in approvals, applications are being prioritised. However, there is a risk of fraud, particularly for some investors from China.
2. EB-1A ‘Outstanding Talent’ Visa
The EB-1A visa is for ‘outstanding talent’ in the fields of science, art, education, business, and sports. No investment is required; applicants must provide internationally recognised proof of achievements (awards, publications, professional accomplishments, etc.). Recent policy relaxations have introduced more flexible ‘comparable evidence’ pathways for fields like STEM. Approval is relatively fast, making it the preferred option for high-tech talent.
3. Trump ‘Gold Card’ Golden Visa
President Trump proposed a $5 million ‘Gold Card’ innovation visa programme in February 2025, aimed at replacing the EB-5 programme. It allows wealthy individuals to obtain a green card and ultimately U.S. citizenship through investment.
Industry experts generally believe the visa has limited appeal, as global income must be reported for U.S. taxes, and legislative support is still required.
Image source: Global Times
4. Other Mainstream Pathways
Additionally, there are mainstream options such as the National Interest Waiver (NIW), the student-to-H-1B-to-green-card pathway, and family reunification, which can be flexibly chosen based on the applicant’s background.
Why Do Many People Want to Go to the U.S.?
Healthcare, education, retirement, and homeownership—where do the advantages lie compared to China?
1. Healthcare System: More Mature Safety Net (But Also Expensive)
In the U.S., while the healthcare system is costly, it offers broad coverage, advanced medical facilities, and emergency care standards that exceed those of most regions in China. With a quality insurance system in place, major expenditure risks can be mitigated.
However, in contrast, China’s public healthcare system is low-cost and widely accessible, with vulnerable groups more easily able to access basic coverage.
2. Education system: Top-tier resources and global recognition
The United States boasts a globally leading higher education system and research platforms, with Ivy League and other top universities attracting outstanding students worldwide. Private education at the high school level, AP/A-level programmes, and STEM specialised projects are well-established.
Compared to China, the U.S. education system places greater emphasis on innovation and personal development. The downside is the high cost, but it remains more appealing to those seeking international resources.
Image source: Pexels
3. Pension System: Well-Developed Public System and Social Welfare Support
Despite the extremely high cost of living in Silicon Valley, the United States has a mature social security system and stable retirement benefits. In the long term, the U.S. pension system offers predictability for those who have consistently contributed to social insurance and invested in retirement accounts.
While China’s pension system coverage has gradually expanded, there remain gaps in terms of per capita pension benefits, medical insurance coverage, and the availability of care services.
4. Real Estate and Wealth Preservation: Complete Property Rights and Sound Legal System
The U.S. real estate transaction system is mature, with complete property rights and strong legal protection. In the long term, real estate can serve as a stable component of asset allocation. However, in some Chinese cities, factors such as property rights tenure, policy changes, and demographic shifts may introduce uncertainty. For those seeking stable wealth preservation, the U.S. real estate system is more reliable.
5. Comparison between China and the United States: Healthcare, Education, Retirement, and Homeownership
① In terms of healthcare systems, the United States offers high-quality care for major illnesses and emergency treatment through private hospitals equipped with cutting-edge technology and access to world-leading medical professionals. In contrast, while China’s public healthcare system has broad coverage and low costs, there are significant disparities in resource distribution between urban and rural areas, as well as gaps in infrastructure and per capita healthcare service levels.
② In education, the United States boasts world-class universities and research platforms, with university degrees highly recognised internationally. It also offers abundant STEM, creativity, and leadership development programmes, making it suitable for students seeking international development. While China has advantages in basic education quality and exam-oriented systems, it still lags behind the U.S. higher education system in terms of international credentials and innovation capability cultivation.
③ In terms of elderly care, the United States has a mature social security system, complemented by individual retirement accounts and long-term care services, providing predictable solutions for stable elderly care. China’s elderly care system is gradually covering the entire population, but pension levels are low, and issues such as uneven coverage between urban and rural areas and industries remain prominent. The sustainability of pensions in the future remains a challenge.
④ In terms of property and wealth preservation, the United States has a well-established property rights system and strong legal protection, with transparent home-buying processes and diverse financing channels, making real estate a globally recognised stable asset. While some Chinese cities face property rights term restrictions and policy regulation risks, real estate in first-tier cities still demonstrates strong preservation and appreciation potential, with relatively low purchasing costs.
⑤ In terms of daily living expenses, data shows that the cost of living in the United States far exceeds that in China, with overall expenses approximately 55%–75% higher. Rent costs are nearly three times that of China, and food, transportation, entertainment, and personal care are also significantly more expensive. However, China has a better match between average wages and consumption levels, and a monthly income of 4,000 USD can maintain a decent standard of living domestically.
Overall, the United States has advantages in terms of healthcare, education, pension systems, and wealth protection, with well-established systems, international recognition, and abundant resources;
while China has advantages in cost control, basic social security, cultural familiarity, and community stability. When choosing to relocate to a country, one must weigh personal talent background, family structure, and long-term plans to rationally determine which system and resource allocation better aligns with individual needs.
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△Conclusion: A decision made after rational consideration is more important
In summary, the cost of living in Silicon Valley, United States, is extremely high, and the demand for a perfect lifestyle requires sustained cash flow. 10 million RMB may provide a short-term ‘middle-class quality of life’ start, but it is far from sufficient to support long-term stable living, homeownership, or true financial freedom. In terms of immigration pathways, the EB-5, EB-1A, and Trump Gold Card each have their own advantages and disadvantages; the choice depends on your asset size, talent background, time planning, and risk tolerance.
Ultimately, many people choose the United States not merely for the short-term prestige of high salaries or high consumption, but because they value the long-term stability and international recognition of the United States in areas such as healthcare, education, retirement, legal systems, wealth preservation, and innovation ecosystems.
Compared to China’s systems, culture, and social capital, China still has immense vitality. However, under different backgrounds and needs, choosing a different country is often the result of balancing the next 10 to 20 years.
I hope this article helps you better understand the ‘comprehensive overview of living costs in the United States’ and how to rationally choose the most suitable relocation method for yourself, thereby making more prudent and professional planning decisions.
Note: Reference materials are sourced from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), Lianhe Zaobao, Cailian Press, Time Magazine, Global Times, Reuters, and other sources, compiled from publicly available news reports. Reproduction must credit the source; please contact us for removal if necessary.