Relocating to the US: City by City

Photo: Querent, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons (source).

This page is general information, not legal, tax or immigration advice. It is for construction professionals — quantity surveyors, cost managers, estimators, project managers and schedulers — who are looking at the United States cities where HeatherDaniel International is hiring.

Official cost-of-living figures come from the US Bureau of Economic Analysis. State income-tax facts come from official state tax sites. Pay figures come from our live job pages, rechecked on 12 November 2026. Always read the official page, and the live vacancy, before you treat a figure as current.

For visa routes, see our E-2 Visa Guide and E-3 Visa Guide (for Australians). They link to USCIS and the Department of Labor. We cannot tell you that you will qualify, or that any employer will sponsor.

Browse current vacancies. Book a call. Not seeing the right role? Send us your CV.

Each city section has a map. Where there is a photograph, the credit sits under the picture.

How to read the cost and tax figures

Cost of living. The official US comparison is the Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parities (RPPs). RPPs measure differences in price levels across states and metropolitan areas for a given year. They are expressed as an index with the national price level as 100. The current release, dated 19 February 2026, covers 2024. An official BEA infographic, “How much does it cost to live in your area?”, gives the 2024 all-items RPPs for the seven highest and seven lowest of 387 metro areas. Among the cities on this page, that official list includes:

• Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FL: 114.2
• Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CA: 113.6
• New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ: 112.6
• United States average: 100.0

On the BEA Regional Price Parities product page (current release 19 February 2026; page last modified 6 April 2026), BEA also reports 2024 state-level RPPs, including California 110.7, the District of Columbia 109.9, Iowa 87.8 and Oklahoma 87.8. Those are state figures, not city figures. For metros not on that “seven highest” list — Dallas, Boston, Washington, Omaha, Cedar Rapids, Tulsa, Reno, Portland, Atlanta, Austin — look the figure up on BEA’s interactive Regional Price Parities tables.

These are price levels relative to the US average. They are not a comparison with London, and they are not a statement of what you will pay for a particular flat.

State income tax. Florida, Nevada and Texas do not impose a personal income tax on wages, according to the official state pages cited in the city sections below.

New York, California, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Iowa, Oklahoma, Oregon, Georgia and the District of Columbia do levy a personal income tax. Georgia’s current personal income tax is a flat rate of 4.99 per cent. The Georgia Department of Revenue, “Important Tax Updates” page states, under “2026 Income Tax Changes”: “The Georgia income tax rate has been reduced to a flat rate of 4.99%.” For the other states, see the official departments linked in the city sections. Rates change, and a rate on its own is not advice. Federal income tax applies in every state. None of this is tax advice, and it does not account for local tax or for the cost of living.

Pay. Every salary below is the Compensation line on a live HeatherDaniel job page, rechecked on 12 November 2026, and is linked to that page. It is not a market average and it is not an offer.

New York

The New York–Newark–Jersey City metro had a 2024 all-items RPP of 112.6, according to the official BEA infographic — 12.6 per cent above the national price level. New York State levies a personal income tax; see the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. The city is on Eastern Time.

Live HeatherDaniel roles in New York, with the Compensation line as printed on 12 November 2026, include:

• Quantity Surveyor, $120,000 – $130,000 + competitive benefits including pension
• Quantity Surveyor / Cost Consultant, $115,000 – $150,000 + competitive benefits including a 401(k) / retirement plan
• Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor – New York, NY, $125,000 – $165,000 base salary + comprehensive benefits package, commensurate with experience
• Senior Cost Manager / QS – High-End Retail & Commercial – Lower Manhattan, NY, $155,000–$180,000 + full executive benefits
• Client Project Manager, cost consultancy, $175,000 – $250,000, based on experience
• Project Manager, commercial real estate / owner’s rep, $140,000 – $170,000 base + bonus + full benefits

Further New York seats (associate QS, luxury retail QS, MEP estimator, senior cost estimator, senior cost engineer) are on the live list.

Miami

The Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach metro had a 2024 all-items RPP of 114.2, according to the official BEA infographic — the second-highest metro on that seven-highest list. Florida does not impose a personal income tax. The Florida Department of Revenue states: “Florida does not impose a personal income tax, so there are no filing requirements,” citing Section 5 of the Florida Constitution. Federal tax still applies. The city is on Eastern Time.

HeatherDaniel’s USA head office is in Miami Beach.

Live roles in the Miami area, 12 November 2026:

• Project Quantity Surveyor (PQS), developer-side, Coconut Grove, $125,000 – $145,000
• Mission-critical cost estimator, data centre / MEP, Doral, $140,000 – $160,000 OTE
• Estimating Manager, general contractor, Fort Lauderdale, Competitive base + 20–30% commission accelerators

Dallas and Texas

For the Dallas metro price level, see BEA’s interactive Regional Price Parities tables. Texas has no state personal income tax. A Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts Fiscal Notes article (December 2025) states, under “Texas is small-business friendly by the numbers”: “0% Texas has no state income tax.” Federal tax still applies. Dallas is on Central Time.

Live roles, 12 November 2026:

• MEP Cost Estimator, Dallas, $100,000 to $130,000 per annum
• Senior Quantity Surveyor, Texas (the page gives the location as Texas, USA, not a single city), $100,000 – $150,000 + bonus + benefits + relocation
• The senior scheduler / project controls (Primavera P6) data-centre role lists Dallas, TX among its locations

Omaha

For the Omaha metro price level, see BEA’s interactive Regional Price Parities tables. Nebraska levies a personal income tax; see the Nebraska Department of Revenue. Omaha is on Central Time.

Live roles, 12 November 2026:

• Project Manager, data centre construction
• Project Manager (SME), data centre construction, Omaha or Cedar Rapids
• MEP Cost Estimator, $100,000 to $130,000 per annum

Cedar Rapids

Iowa’s 2024 state-level RPP was 87.8, according to the BEA product page — 12.2 per cent below the national price level. That is a state figure, not a Cedar Rapids metro figure. Iowa levies a personal income tax; see the Iowa Department of Revenue. Cedar Rapids is on Central Time.

Live roles, 12 November 2026:

• Cost Manager, data centre, $100,000 to $135,000 per annum
• Project Manager, data centre construction
• Electrical Estimator, $175,000 to $185,000 per annum
• Project Manager (SME), Omaha or Cedar Rapids

Tulsa

Oklahoma’s 2024 state-level RPP was 87.8, according to the same BEA product page. That is a state figure, not a Tulsa metro figure. Oklahoma levies a personal income tax; see the Oklahoma Tax Commission. Tulsa is on Central Time.

Live roles, 12 November 2026:

• Cost Manager, data centre, $100,000 to $135,000 per annum
• Project Manager, data centre construction
• The multi-location senior scheduler also lists Tulsa, OK

Reno

For the Reno metro price level, see BEA’s interactive Regional Price Parities tables. Nevada does not impose a state income tax on individuals. The Nevada Department of Taxation states: “Nevada residents do not pay state tax on income earned from salaries, wages, or similar compensation,” and “The State of Nevada does not impose a state income tax on individuals.” Federal tax still applies. Reno is on Pacific Time.

Live roles, 12 November 2026:

• Senior Quantity Surveyor / Cost Manager, data centre, $160,000 – $180,000 Base Salary + Full Benefits + Relocation
• Senior Construction Scheduler / Project Controls Specialist, data centre, $160,000 – $180,000 Base Salary + Full Benefits + Relocation

Boston

For the Boston metro price level, see BEA’s interactive Regional Price Parities tables. Massachusetts levies a personal income tax; see the Massachusetts Department of Revenue. Boston is on Eastern Time.

Live role, 12 November 2026:

• Senior Construction Cost Consultant / Quantity Surveyor, $125,000 – $150,000 + competitive benefits including a 401(k) / retirement plan

Los Angeles

The Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim metro had a 2024 all-items RPP of 113.6, according to the official BEA infographic. California’s 2024 state-level RPP was 110.7, and California had the highest state RPP for housing rents, at 154.3, according to the BEA product page. California levies a personal income tax; see the Franchise Tax Board. Los Angeles is on Pacific Time.

Live role, 12 November 2026:

• Senior Construction Cost Consultant / Quantity Surveyor, $150,000 – $200,000 + competitive benefits including a 401(k) / retirement plan

Washington, DC

The District of Columbia’s 2024 state-equivalent RPP was 109.9, and its RPP for housing rents was 155.0, according to the BEA product page. The District levies a personal income tax; see the Office of Tax and Revenue. Washington is on Eastern Time.

Live role, 12 November 2026:

• Senior Cost Estimator / Project Manager, $150,000 – $180,000 + strong benefits including 401(k)

Portland

For the Portland metro price level, see BEA’s interactive Regional Price Parities tables. Oregon levies a personal income tax; see the Oregon Department of Revenue. Portland is on Pacific Time.

Live role, 12 November 2026:

• Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor, data centre / mission critical, Around $160,000 Base Salary + Benefits + Relocation
• Portland, OR is also listed on the multi-location senior scheduler page

Atlanta

For the Atlanta metro price level, see BEA’s interactive Regional Price Parities tables. Georgia levies a personal income tax. The Georgia Department of Revenue, “Important Tax Updates” page states, under “2026 Income Tax Changes”: “The Georgia income tax rate has been reduced to a flat rate of 4.99%.” Atlanta is on Eastern Time.

Atlanta, GA is listed as one of the locations on the senior scheduler / project controls (Primavera P6) data-centre role.

Austin

Austin is in Texas, so the Comptroller’s “Texas has no state income tax” statement, already cited under Dallas, applies. Federal tax still applies. Austin is on Central Time. For the metro price level, see BEA’s interactive Regional Price Parities tables.

“Austin area, TX” is listed as one of the locations on the multi-location senior scheduler page. The Texas-wide Senior Quantity Surveyor page gives the location as Texas, USA, not Austin specifically.

Practical notes, kept short

• Visas. Read the official USCIS E-2 and USCIS E-3 pages, and our E-2 Visa Guide and E-3 Visa Guide. We do not publish processing times.
• Tax. Federal income tax applies everywhere. State income tax depends on the state, as cited above. This is not tax advice.
• Time. The cities above sit in the Eastern, Central or Pacific time zones, as noted. The United Kingdom’s clocks and US daylight-saving dates do not always move on the same weekend, so the gap narrows for short periods in spring and autumn.
• Schools, driving licences, Social Security numbers and healthcare are real parts of a move. They are things we can talk through on a call, and things a qualified adviser and the official agencies should confirm.

Browse current vacancies.

We can't give legal advice or file anything for you, but we can talk you through roles, cities and timing. Book a call. Not seeing the right role? Send us your CV.

Sources

• BEA, “How much does it cost to live in your area?”, 2024 RPPs, accompanying the 19 February 2026 release. Opened 12 November 2026. Metro figures quoted above (Miami 114.2, Los Angeles 113.6, New York 112.6, US average 100.0) are taken from this official PDF.
• BEA, Regional Price Parities by State and Metro Area, current release 19 February 2026, next release 10 December 2026, page last modified 6 April 2026. State figures quoted above (California 110.7, District of Columbia 109.9, Iowa 87.8, Oklahoma 87.8; California housing rents 154.3, District of Columbia housing rents 155.0) are taken from this page, opened 12 November 2026. Interactive tables: https://apps.bea.gov/itable/?ReqID=70&step=1.
• Florida Department of Revenue, “Do I have to file a personal income tax return in Florida?”, citing Section 5, Florida Constitution. Opened 12 November 2026.
• Nevada Department of Taxation, “Income Tax in Nevada”. Opened 12 November 2026.
• Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, “Texas is open for small business,” Fiscal Notes, December 2025. Opened 12 November 2026.
• Georgia Department of Revenue, “Important Tax Updates”, including “The Georgia income tax rate has been reduced to a flat rate of 4.99%” under 2026 Income Tax Changes. Opened 12 November 2026. The same 4.99 per cent flat rate, reduced from 5.19 per cent and effective for taxable years beginning on or after 1 January 2026, is set out in the 2026 Employer’s Tax Guide (revised September 2026).
• Official tax agencies linked in the city sections: tax.ny.gov, ftb.ca.gov, Massachusetts DOR, revenue.nebraska.gov, tax.iowa.gov, Oklahoma Tax Commission, Oregon DOR, OTR, District of Columbia, Georgia DOR.
• Live HeatherDaniel vacancy pages, URLs as linked, Compensation lines rechecked 12 November 2026.