Cost of living in United States compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 41% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $20 (£16) | £13 | + 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (£8) | £7 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.76 (£4.72) | £3.45 | + 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.08 (£0.89) | £1.11 | - 20% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.95 (£4.06) | £3.53 | + 15% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.65 (£3.81) | £1.92 | + 99% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (£5.71) | £4.26 | + 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.51 (£3.70) | £1.95 | + 90% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.36 (£1.93) | £0.93 | + 107% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.26 (£2.68) | £1.71 | + 57% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (£13) | £8 | + 56% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.92 (£2.39) | £2.24 | + 7% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.83 (£2.32) | £1.11 | + 108% | |
| Housing | + 35% | |||
| Housing in United States is 35% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,957 (£2,424) | £2,023 | + 20% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,259 (£1,852) | £1,352 | + 37% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $223 (£183) | £225 | - 19% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,987 (£1,629) | £1,150 | + 42% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,511 (£1,239) | £823 | + 50% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $150 (£123) | £123 | + 0% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $64 (£52) | £25 | + 108% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $294 (£241) | £306 | - 21% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $143 (£117) | £93 | + 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $14 (£11) | £6 | + 81% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $32 (£27) | £15 | + 80% | |
| Clothes | + 9% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 9% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $56 (£46) | £63 | - 27% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $47 (£39) | £31 | + 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $95 (£78) | £68 | + 15% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $127 (£104) | £70 | + 49% | |
| Transportation | - 25% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 25% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,855 (£22,839) | £25,707 | - 11% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.03 (£0.84) | £1.52 | - 44% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $83 (£68) | £91 | - 25% | |
| Personal Care | + 51% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 51% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $9 (£7) | £4.12 | + 73% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $24 (£19) | £11 | + 82% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $151 (£124) | £112 | + 11% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (£7) | £3.78 | + 92% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.89 (£4.01) | £1.69 | + 138% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (£5.66) | £3.49 | + 62% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.89 (£4.01) | £2.13 | + 88% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.20 (£1.80) | £1.81 | - 1% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $29 (£24) | £14 | + 66% | |
| Entertainment | + 21% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 21% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $56 (£46) | £37 | + 24% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $29 (£24) | £19 | + 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $230 (£189) | £153 | + 24% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $92 (£75) | £59 | + 27% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $14 (£11) | £10 | + 16% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.40 (£4.43) | £3.27 | + 35% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $7 (£5.36) | £4.89 | + 10% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $558 (£457) | £417 | + 10% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.20 (£0.16) | £0.10 | + 58% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $60 (£49) | £34 | + 45% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (£8) | £13 | - 33% | |
| TOTAL | + 13% | |||
These prices were last updated on October 02, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.820
GBP
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 26,189 prices entered by 3,446 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 13% more expensive than in United Kingdom
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