Cost of living in London (United Kingdom) is 21% cheaper than in New York City (United States)
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This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,944 prices entered by 290 different people.
Full price comparison, by category
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Currency:
| Food | - 44% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in London (United Kingdom) is 44% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £15 ($20) | $28 | - 30% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £8 ($10) | $14 | - 26% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.82 ($5.12) | $8 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.16 ($1.55) | $1.61 | - 4% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £3.97 ($5.31) | $9 | - 42% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.20 ($2.95) | $7 | - 58% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £4.40 ($5.88) | $9 | - 38% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £1.97 ($2.64) | $7 | - 61% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.79 ($1.06) | $3.58 | - 70% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.83 ($2.45) | $5.26 | - 53% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £11 ($14) | $23 | - 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £2.10 ($2.80) | $4.40 | - 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £1.33 ($1.78) | $5.28 | - 66% | |
| Housing | - 12% | |||
| Housing in London (United Kingdom) is 12% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | New York City | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £4,027 ($5,387) | $5,547 | - 3% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £3,483 ($4,660) | $5,182 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £155 ($208) | $299 | - 30% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £3,263 ($4,365) | $4,249 | + 3% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £1,950 ($2,609) | $2,988 | - 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £136 ($182) | $272 | - 33% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £27 ($37) | $71 | - 48% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £254 ($340) | $509 | - 33% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £121 ($161) | $126 | + 28% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £5.72 ($8) | $18 | - 57% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £12 ($16) | $46 | - 64% | |
| Clothes | - 1% | |||
| Clothes in London (United Kingdom) is about the same as in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | New York City | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £72 ($97) | $72 | + 35% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £35 ($47) | $52 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £83 ($111) | $121 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £92 ($123) | $199 | - 38% | |
| Transportation | + 26% | |||
| Transportation in London (United Kingdom) is 26% more expensive than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | New York City | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £26,280 ($35,156) | $35,968 | - 2% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.43 ($1.91) | $1.00 | + 92% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £176 ($235) | $183 | + 29% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | £22 ($29) | $33 | - 11% | |
| Personal Care | - 72% | |||
| Personal Care in London (United Kingdom) is 72% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | New York City | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £2.79 ($3.73) | $25 | - 85% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £7 ($10) | $54 | - 82% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £52 ($70) | $265 | - 74% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.62 ($4.85) | $14 | - 64% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £2.06 ($2.75) | $9 | - 71% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £4.81 ($6) | $15 | - 57% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.08 ($2.78) | $9 | - 67% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £2.22 ($2.97) | $2.16 | + 37% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £16 ($21) | $49 | - 57% | |
| Entertainment | - 60% | |||
| Entertainment in London (United Kingdom) is 60% cheaper than in New York City (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | New York City | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £46 ($62) | $111 | - 44% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £24 ($32) | $40 | - 19% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £127 ($170) | $541 | - 69% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £79 ($106) | $185 | - 43% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £13 ($17) | $22 | - 22% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.91 ($5.23) | $7 | - 21% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £7 ($10) | $10 | - 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £398 ($533) | $1,024 | - 48% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.13 ($0.17) | $1.66 | - 90% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £49 ($66) | $167 | - 61% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £16 ($21) | $18 | + 13% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 21% | ||
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
1.338
USD
/
GBP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 1,944 prices entered by 290 different people.
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