We've already talked about money, but we're going to talk about it again. Perhaps because it's one of the big reasons actors who actually manage to get to the US, end up returning home early.

So here we go. Let's talk about money honestly. No false promises, no “you can do it for less” stories. This is the truth.

LA Housing Reality  #

Average rents in neighbourhoods where actors live (July 2025) in shared apartments range from about $900 to $1,600 a month (areas like North Hollywood, Koreatown, Hollywood, and Silver Lake)

“Can I live further away for cheaper rent?”

Sure. But then you spend 2–3 hours travelling daily to auditions. In LA, location is everything.

But aside from the monthly rent — arguably your biggest expense — there's a lot more.

In your first year you'll need rent security deposit, a used car (that's essential, not optional), car insurance, headshots, some self-tape equipment, and some basic furniture.

Which can be around $7,000+ easily.

And then there are running costs. Here we're talking gas for the car, a mobile phone contract, acting classes, not to mention food!

And this translates to $2,500 a month, even eating every meal at home and shopping at discount stores. 

And then there are the hidden costs nobody mentions: 

• Car repairs: $1,000-2,000/year
• Professional development (workshops, classes): $2,000-4,000/year
• Networking events: $500-1,000/year
• Clothes for auditions: $500-1,000/year

And these are the basics. We haven't added an occasional night out, having to get the air conditioner repaired because your landlord won't, settling a parking ticket when you were late for an audition… The list goes on.

The Bottom Line  #

You have to be realistic. You need €5,000 for your visa, €1,500 for your ticket, and €30,000 there for your first year.

Then have another €30,000 for the next year. And another €30,000 for each year after that until you make it?

It is by no means exaggerating when we say that it can easily cost you €100,000 to get settled in the US and in a position where you might start to get some work as an actor there.