Looking for Australian Expats in the United States?

Is USA a good move for Australians? These pros and cons come from the InterNations Expat Insider 2026 survey, in which thousands of expats around the world share what they like and don't like about life abroad each year. The points below reflect what Australian expats in USA wrote in their own words, backed up by survey percentages from all expats living there.

• Careers and opportunity are the big draw. 67% of expats in the USA say the move improved their career prospects, and 47% rate the local job market positively (vs. 38% globally).

• The food and culture scenes are vast. 82% rate culinary variety positively and 71% culture and nightlife, with something for everyone.

• Nature and the outdoors are spectacular. 85% rate the natural environment positively and 79% opportunities for recreational sports.

• It's easy and familiar to settle. English is no barrier (80% find the language easy) and Australians find the systems broadly familiar.

• Healthcare costs are the biggest shock. Just 19% of expats in the USA rate healthcare affordability positively, the lowest kind of score in the survey.

• Safety and guns worry people. Only 66% rate personal safety positively (vs. 81% globally), and gun violence comes up often.

• Politics and division wear on people. Just 29% rate political stability positively, and partisan divisiveness dominates the complaints.

• Costs add up. Only 27% rate housing affordability positively and 27% the general cost of living.

For Australians, the USA offers big careers, vast food and culture, and spectacular nature, all in a familiar language. The trade-offs are healthcare costs, safety, politics, and the price of living. It rewards ambition more than those seeking a calm, affordable base.

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our Australian members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Of course, expat living in the USA is not just about shipping your belongings and filing in some bureaucratic papers. Regular socializing with fellow Australians is an essential part of expat life and helps getting accustomed to the American way of life and mentality. InterNations helps you connect and meet up with other Australians in the USA, residing in Washington D.C., New York City, Los Angeles and many other places throughout the country. Just take a look at our group of Australians in New York or Australians in Miami.

If you ever wish to have a chat in your native language, discover where to shop for Australian food or discuss your favorite sports team's latest match, become a member of the American InterNations Community:

• Look up our top quality network to get to know open-minded expats from Australia in the USA.
• Obtain and share insider tips in our the USA Expat Forums – e.g. how to hire a babysitter fluent in your native tongue for your children or where to get vegemite in New York City.
• Search the InterNations Places database for the USA to get information on institutions from your home country, including the Australian embassy.

From the pleasantly mild Pacific Northwest to the picturesque landscapes of the South, we’ll help you connect with supportive and friendly Australian expats in the USA.

Moreover, please feel free to attend our regular expat events and activities in the USA. Our get-togethers are very diverse and range from a cozy gathering to enjoy the traditional American stuffed turkey, to big expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Washington D.C.’s best locations. You can also participate in one of our expat trips to go and see the gabled churches and small towns of New England as well as other beautiful landmarks in the USA.

Our meet-ups and activities are a great opportunity to mingle with expats from Australia and various other countries in a casual setting. Interested? Just sign up and you’ll soon be receiving a cordial Hello from our Australians living in the USA!