Cost of living in London (United Kingdom) is 21% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,144 prices entered by 262 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 22% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in London (United Kingdom) is 22% cheaper than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £13 ($17) | $14 | + 19% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £7 ($8) | $10 | - 19% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.73 ($4.61) | $5.05 | - 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £0.98 ($1.22) | $1.12 | + 8% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £3.53 ($4.36) | $6 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.04 ($2.53) | $5.58 | - 55% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £4.89 ($6) | $13 | - 54% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £1.92 ($2.37) | $4.32 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.84 ($1.04) | $2.01 | - 48% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.86 ($2.29) | $4.32 | - 47% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £8 ($10) | $17 | - 38% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £2.13 ($2.63) | $1.87 | + 40% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £0.98 ($1.21) | $2.51 | - 52% | |
| Housing | - 2% | |||
| Housing in London (United Kingdom) is about the same as in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £2,924 ($3,611) | $3,032 | + 19% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £2,010 ($2,482) | $2,566 | - 3% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £220 ($272) | $196 | + 39% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,849 ($2,284) | $2,028 | + 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £1,299 ($1,604) | $2,308 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £145 ($179) | $121 | + 48% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £25 ($31) | $46 | - 32% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £291 ($359) | $332 | + 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £109 ($134) | $133 | + 1% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £7 ($8) | $12 | - 32% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £14 ($17) | $34 | - 50% | |
| Clothes | + 6% | |||
| Clothes in London (United Kingdom) is 6% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £66 ($81) | $50 | + 61% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £36 ($44) | $48 | - 8% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £82 ($101) | $78 | + 30% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £91 ($113) | $132 | - 15% | |
| Transportation | + 122% | |||
| Transportation in London (United Kingdom) is 122% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £23,426 ($28,934) | $24,663 | + 17% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.72 ($2.13) | $1.13 | + 89% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £151 ($186) | $68 | + 174% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | £20 ($25) | $23 | + 6% | |
| Personal Care | - 35% | |||
| Personal Care in London (United Kingdom) is 35% cheaper than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £4.07 ($5.02) | $7 | - 24% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £10 ($13) | $13 | - 3% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £78 ($96) | $221 | - 56% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £2.82 ($3.49) | - | - | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £1.66 ($2.05) | $3.53 | - 42% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £4.42 ($5.46) | $5.09 | + 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.13 ($2.64) | $3.56 | - 26% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £1.39 ($1.72) | $1.88 | - 9% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £22 ($27) | $27 | - 1% | |
| Entertainment | + 4% | |||
| Entertainment in London (United Kingdom) is 4% more expensive than in Santa Cruz, California (United States) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| London | Santa Cruz, California | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £43 ($54) | $69 | - 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £26 ($32) | $25 | + 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £195 ($240) | - | - | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £78 ($97) | $99 | - 2% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £13 ($16) | - | - | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.46 ($4.27) | - | - | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £5.79 ($7) | $7 | + 4% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £537 ($663) | $375 | + 77% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.11 ($0.14) | $0.19 | - 30% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £52 ($64) | $62 | + 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £13 ($17) | $8 | + 108% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 21% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,144 prices entered by 262 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.235
USD
/
GBP
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For example, you would need at least $10,128 (£8,200) in London to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with $8,400 in Santa Cruz, California.
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