Cost of Living

London, United Kingdom

Live cost-of-living data for London — rent, groceries, transport, healthcare and more, sourced and cross-checked by AI and refreshed regularly.

CheapestNew York = 100
47/ 10053% cheaper than New York
-14% rent since Jul 2026
$3,850/mo
Median Income
70/100
Safety
27%
Income Tax
temperate oceanic
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

Each score runs 0–100, where higher means pricier. Representative prices shown per category.

Housing
90/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$2,800/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$1,700/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$4,500/month
Food & Groceries
65/100
Milk (1 liter)$2.25/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$2.67/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$3.15/kg
Transportation
70/100
Monthly Transit Pass (Zone 1-2)$200/month
One-Way Ticket$3.18/trip
Taxi (1 km)$1.9/km
Utilities
65/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$210/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$55/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$38/month
Healthcare
75/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$100/visit
Dentist Visit$125/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$12/course
Education
70/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$800/month
International Primary School (yearly)$18,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$550/course
Entertainment
60/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$15/ticket
Theater Ticket$55/ticket
Museum Entry$20/ticket
Clothing
70/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$85/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$50/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$115/pair
Personal Care
60/100
Haircut (Men)$28/cut
Haircut (Women)$55/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$7/bottle
Dining Out
65/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$19/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$76/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$11/meal
Childcare
70/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,275/month
Babysitter (per hour)$19/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$25/pack
Fitness & Sports
65/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$60/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$25/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$10/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

72 Mbps
Internet Speed
$350
Coworking/Month
excellent
Café WiFi
high
English Level
large
Nomad Community
82/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Shoreditch, Camden, Covent Garden

Frequently Asked Questions

Is London cheap to live in?

London has a cost of living index of 47/100, where New York = 100. It is 53% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,700–$2,380 per month.

How much does rent cost in London?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of London costs approximately $2,800/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $1,700/month.

Is London good for digital nomads?

London has a large digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 72 Mbps, café wifi reliability is excellent, and coworking spaces run about $350/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in London?

The median net monthly salary in London is approximately $3,850 USD. The income tax rate is around 27%.

How does London compare to New York for cost of living?

London (cost index 47) is 53% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,325/month by moving from New York to London.

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