Cost of living in London (United Kingdom) is 219% more expensive than in Beijing (China)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 994 prices entered by 165 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | + 91% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in London (United Kingdom) is 91% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £15 (145元) | 53元 | + 175% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £8 (75元) | 35元 | + 117% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.85 (38元) | 12元 | + 225% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.09 (11元) | 12元 | - 15% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £3.98 (39元) | 17元 | + 131% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.20 (21元) | 10元 | + 126% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £4.40 (43元) | 54元 | - 20% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £1.97 (19元) | 15元 | + 30% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.79 (8元) | 6元 | + 26% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.83 (18元) | 13元 | + 41% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £11 (105元) | 79元 | + 32% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £2.10 (20元) | 8元 | + 144% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £1.23 (12元) | 10元 | + 18% | |
| Housing | + 272% | |||
| Housing in London (United Kingdom) is 272% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £3,948 (38,473元) | 13,899元 | + 177% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £3,849 (37,514元) | 7,030元 | + 434% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £155 (1,513元) | 365元 | + 315% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £3,406 (33,194元) | 8,119元 | + 309% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £3,248 (31,650元) | 4,766元 | + 564% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £136 (1,323元) | 193元 | + 587% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £27 (266元) | 91元 | + 194% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £254 (2,474元) | 1,862元 | + 33% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £121 (1,175元) | 560元 | + 110% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £5.72 (56元) | 34元 | + 65% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £12 (120元) | 56元 | + 114% | |
| Clothes | + 45% | |||
| Clothes in London (United Kingdom) is 45% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Beijing | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £72 (704元) | 441元 | + 59% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £35 (346元) | 253元 | + 37% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £83 (810元) | 497元 | + 63% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £92 (896元) | 797元 | + 12% | |
| Transportation | + 374% | |||
| Transportation in London (United Kingdom) is 374% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £26,280 (256,124元) | 154,765元 | + 65% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.41 (14元) | 8元 | + 65% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £180 (1,758元) | 249元 | + 605% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | £22 (217元) | 38元 | + 476% | |
| Personal Care | + 29% | |||
| Personal Care in London (United Kingdom) is 29% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £2.79 (27元) | 28元 | - 3% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £7 (72元) | 46元 | + 58% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £52 (507元) | 242元 | + 109% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.62 (35元) | 43元 | - 17% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £2.06 (20元) | 38元 | - 47% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £4.81 (47元) | 25元 | + 84% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.08 (20元) | 10元 | + 112% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £2.22 (22元) | 14元 | + 53% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £16 (156元) | 86元 | + 82% | |
| Entertainment | + 119% | |||
| Entertainment in London (United Kingdom) is 119% more expensive than in Beijing (China) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Beijing | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £46 (451元) | 239元 | + 89% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £24 (236元) | 120元 | + 96% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £127 (1,240元) | 951元 | + 30% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £79 (772元) | 200元 | + 286% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £13 (123元) | 73元 | + 68% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.91 (38元) | 28元 | + 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £7 (70元) | 10元 | + 571% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £398 (3,880元) | 3,423元 | + 13% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.13 (1.22元) | 0.41元 | + 194% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £49 (478元) | 389元 | + 23% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £16 (152元) | 20元 | + 664% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 219% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 994 prices entered by 165 different people.
These prices were last updated on July 12, 2025.
Exchange rate:
9.746
CNY
/
GBP
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For example, you would need at least 127,629元 (£13,096) in London to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with 40,000元 in Beijing.
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