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Compare: where you live vs back in the US

Buy a home where you live, or back in the US? Each comparison puts both sides next to each other, city by city, including the US tax rules once you no longer live in a US home. General information, not advice.

Mexico City

Buying in Mexico City vs back home: what Americans really pay

Americans can own a Mexico City apartment outright, but the IRS still taxes the gain. Here's how buying in CDMX stacks up against a home back in the States.

San Miguel de Allende

Buying in San Miguel de Allende vs back home: the full tab

San Miguel is outside Mexico's restricted zone, so Americans can own outright. The catch comes at sale time, when Mexico and the IRS both look at the gain.

Toronto

Buying in Toronto vs back home: two land transfer taxes and the IRS

Toronto charges land transfer tax twice, and the federal foreign buyer ban may still apply to you. Here's how buying there compares with a home back in the States.

Vancouver

Buying in Vancouver vs back home: BC's housing taxes meet the IRS

BC piles on housing taxes for foreign buyers and short holds, and the IRS still taxes your gain. Here's how a Vancouver purchase compares with a home stateside.

London

Buying in London vs back home: what Americans really pay

Americans can buy in London on the same terms as Brits, but stamp duty punishes anyone who still owns a home in the States, and the IRS taxes the gain.

Berlin

Buying in Berlin vs back home: what Americans really pay

Germany lets Americans buy freely and may never tax your gain after ten years. The IRS isn't so patient. Here's how Berlin stacks up against a home back home.

Sydney

Buying in Sydney vs back home: what Americans really pay

On a temporary visa, Australia treats you as a foreign buyer: no established homes for now and a 9% NSW surcharge. Here's how Sydney compares with back home.

Tel Aviv

Buying in Tel Aviv vs back home: what Americans really pay

Israeli residency changes everything when you buy in Tel Aviv: a non-resident pays 8% purchase tax from the first shekel. Here's how it stacks up against back home.

Madrid

Buying in Madrid vs back home: what Americans really pay

Spain lets Americans buy freely, but a Madrid purchase costs more up front than a DC closing. Here's how the taxes stack up on both sides when you buy and sell.

Tokyo

Buying in Tokyo vs back home: what Americans really pay

Japan lets Americans buy freehold with no approval at all. Getting a loan is harder, and the IRS still wants its say. Here's Tokyo against a home back home.

Shanghai

Buying in Shanghai vs back home: what Americans can and can't do

Shanghai lets an American buy one home to live in, after a year of work in the city, and you can't rent it out. Here's how that stacks up against a home back home.

Paris

Buying in Paris vs back home: what Americans really pay

France lets Americans buy freely and never taxes the sale of your main home. The IRS has a cap, and the notary bill is steep. Here's Paris against back home.

Seoul

Buying in Seoul vs back home: permits, taxes and Uncle Sam

Americans can still buy in Seoul, but since 2025 they need a permit first and must live in the place. Here's Seoul against keeping or buying a home back home.

Bangkok

Buying in Bangkok vs back home: condos, quotas and the IRS

In Bangkok an American can own a condo, not the land under a house. Here's how the quota, the money rules and two tax systems stack up against a home back home.

Rome

Buying in Rome vs back home: the prima casa, the notary and the IRS

Americans can buy in Rome with no permit, and a first home is taxed lightly. Here's how Rome stacks up against keeping or buying a home back in the States.

Zurich

Buying in Zurich vs back home: Lex Koller, gains tax and the IRS

On a B permit you can buy one home in Zurich to live in; on a C permit you buy like a Swiss. Here's Zurich against keeping or buying a home back in the States.

Amsterdam

Buying in Amsterdam vs back home: what Americans really pay

The Netherlands lets Americans buy freely and rarely taxes a home sale. The IRS still wants its share. Here's how Amsterdam stacks up against a home back home.

Dublin

Buying in Dublin vs back home: what Americans really pay

Ireland lets Americans buy on the same terms as the Irish, with low stamp duty and tight loan limits. Here's how a Dublin home stacks up against one back home.

Auckland

Buying in Auckland vs back home: can Americans even buy?

New Zealand bans most foreigners from buying homes, and a work visa won't get you past it. Here's who can buy in Auckland, and how it compares with a home back in the States.

Manila

Buying in Manila vs back home: condos yes, land no

Americans can own a Manila condo but not the land under a house. Here's what buying in Makati or BGC really involves, and how it compares with a home back in the States.

Singapore

Buying in Singapore vs back home: stamp duties, condos and the IRS

A US passport gets you Singaporean stamp duty rates, but the upfront bill is still steep. Here's how buying in Singapore stacks up against a home in San Francisco.