Cost of living in United Kingdom compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 90% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Kingdom is 90% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £15 (144元) | 42元 | + 241% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £8 (73元) | 39元 | + 90% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.90 (38元) | 14元 | + 162% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.07 (10元) | 14元 | - 26% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £3.76 (36元) | 16元 | + 133% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.42 (23元) | 10元 | + 126% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £4.90 (47元) | 50元 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £1.99 (19元) | 16元 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.87 (8元) | 6元 | + 29% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £2.01 (19元) | 6元 | + 202% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £10 (96元) | 89元 | + 8% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £2.17 (21元) | 8元 | + 153% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £1.03 (10元) | 13元 | - 21% | |
| Housing | + 148% | |||
| Housing in United Kingdom is 148% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £2,775 (26,766元) | 12,713元 | + 111% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £1,995 (19,244元) | 5,917元 | + 225% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £175 (1,688元) | 450元 | + 276% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,600 (15,431元) | 6,564元 | + 135% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £1,224 (11,809元) | 3,518元 | + 236% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £136 (1,316元) | 296元 | + 344% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £26 (251元) | 100元 | + 152% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £269 (2,593元) | 1,460元 | + 78% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £98 (941元) | 553元 | + 70% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £7 (68元) | 43元 | + 58% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £15 (143元) | 55元 | + 157% | |
| Clothes | + 31% | |||
| Clothes in United Kingdom is 31% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £69 (665元) | 418元 | + 59% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £35 (335元) | 302元 | + 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £81 (783元) | 553元 | + 42% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £85 (820元) | 705元 | + 16% | |
| Transportation | + 211% | |||
| Transportation in United Kingdom is 211% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £27,498 (265,199元) | 148,726元 | + 78% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.43 (14元) | 8元 | + 80% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £107 (1,036元) | 228元 | + 353% | |
| Personal Care | + 25% | |||
| Personal Care in United Kingdom is 25% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £3.28 (32元) | 42元 | - 24% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £8 (77元) | 59元 | + 29% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £72 (694元) | 114元 | + 510% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.86 (37元) | 67元 | - 44% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £2.18 (21元) | 57元 | - 63% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £4.76 (46元) | 25元 | + 84% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.28 (22元) | 6元 | + 256% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £2.00 (19元) | 13元 | + 54% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £16 (153元) | 85元 | + 81% | |
| Entertainment | + 85% | |||
| Entertainment in United Kingdom is 85% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £40 (385元) | 178元 | + 116% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £23 (219元) | 105元 | + 109% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £110 (1,058元) | 1,179元 | - 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £65 (632元) | 320元 | + 97% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £12 (117元) | 81元 | + 44% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.88 (37元) | 28元 | + 36% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £6 (59元) | 19元 | + 207% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £427 (4,115元) | 3,924元 | + 5% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.13 (1.21元) | 0.34元 | + 260% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £42 (401元) | 412元 | - 3% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £15 (148元) | 25元 | + 497% | |
| TOTAL | + 127% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 22, 2025.
Exchange rate:
9.644
CNY
/
GBP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,534 prices entered by 515 different people.
Cost of living in United Kingdom is 127% more expensive than in China
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