A wage that looks good on paper can be tight in an expensive place and comfortable in a cheaper one. Housing is usually the biggest difference between states and cities, then transport, then food. Compare the wage in your written offer with rent and transport near the actual work site, using official wage data and local listings, rather than relying on state averages or on anyone's promise.
When you look at an EB-3 job offer, the hourly wage is only half of the picture. What matters is how much is left after housing, transport, food and taxes. The same wage can feel very different in different places. This article gives you a way to think about living costs by state, using relative levels (low, medium, high) rather than exact dollar figures, because rents and prices change and vary within every state. It is general information, not a prediction of your own budget.
The main costs, in order of weight
- Housing. Usually the largest cost and the biggest difference between places. Rent depends on the city, the neighbourhood and whether you share. Many workers share a flat or house, especially at the start.
- Transport. In most U.S. cities outside a few large ones, public transport is limited, and a car, insurance and fuel are a major cost. Check whether the employer's site is reachable by bus or train, and what the shift times are.
- Food. Cooking at home is far cheaper than eating out. Access to Asian groceries varies a lot by area, and can affect your food costs and comfort.
- Other costs. Phone, health insurance if not provided by the employer, tax, remittances to family, and the cost of your own visa and travel expenses (see who pays EB-3 costs).
A rough, relative view of state types
The table below is a general guide to how different types of places usually compare. It is not a ranking of where EB-3 jobs are, and it is not a promise about any city. Rents have risen in many places in recent years, so treat the labels as a starting point only.
| Type of place | Examples | Rent | Transport | Food |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Large coastal metros | Parts of California, New York, Washington, Hawaii | High | Medium (transit possible, car costly) | High |
| Growing Sun Belt cities | Parts of Texas, Florida, Georgia, Arizona, Nevada | Medium to high | High (car usually needed) | Medium |
| Midwest and upper South cities | Parts of Ohio, Indiana, Tennessee, Kentucky, Pennsylvania | Low to medium | High (car usually needed) | Low to medium |
| Small towns and rural areas | Many states | Low, but little supply | High (long distances) | Medium (fewer stores) |
The gap inside a state can be bigger than the gap between states. A big city and a small town in the same state can have very different rents. Tax also differs: for example, some states, including Texas, Florida and Nevada, do not tax wages at the state level, while others do. Federal tax applies everywhere.
Thinking in wage versus cost
The wage in your case must be at least the prevailing wage set by the Department of Labor for that job and area (see how EB-3 wages are set). The prevailing wage does not guarantee that the area is affordable on one income. A simple way to test an offer:
- Take the weekly pay in the written offer, and subtract an estimate for tax. Use an official or employer-provided pay estimate.
- Find real rent listings in the area of the work site, and decide whether you would share.
- Add transport, food, phone and insurance.
- Check what is left, and whether it works for your family situation, including any plans to bring a spouse or children (see spouse and children).
Where to check
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational wage data by state and area, which lets you compare the offer against local pay for similar jobs.
- Rental listing sites show real asking rents in the exact neighbourhood. Look at several, and ignore ones that ask for money before you see a lease.
- Local transit agency websites show routes and timetables.
- Ask the employer, in writing, about housing support and typical shift hours. Treat any offer of housing carefully, and read the terms.
If an offer looks well above local pay, or a recruiter promises that "everything is cheap there", be cautious. Our guide on telling a real employer from a scam lists the warning signs. For questions about a specific offer, contact us.
Official sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
- U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification: PERM
- USCIS, Avoid Scams
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