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
49/ 10051% cheaper than New York
+6% rent since Jul 2026
$4,030/mo
Median Income
68/100
Safety
22%
Income Tax
temperate maritime
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

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

Housing
78/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$2,980/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$2,180/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$4,750/month
Food & Groceries
72/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.61/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$1.48/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2.83/kg
Transportation
65/100
Monthly Transit Pass$213/month
One-Way Ticket$4.04/trip
Taxi (1 km)$1.89/km
Utilities
68/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$386/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$67/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$47/month
Healthcare
82/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$135/visit
Dentist Visit$149/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$12/course
Education
68/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$1,350/month
International Primary School (yearly)$22,500/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$940/course
Entertainment
68/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$13.46/ticket
Theater Ticket$54/ticket
Museum Entry$16.15/ticket
Clothing
72/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$101/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$54/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$135/pair
Personal Care
65/100
Haircut (Men)$32/cut
Haircut (Women)$68/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$8.15/bottle
Dining Out
70/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$27/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$108/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$14.8/meal
Childcare
72/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,800/month
Babysitter (per hour)$18/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$32/pack
Fitness & Sports
62/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$68/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$32/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$12/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

169 Mbps
Internet Speed
$280
Coworking/Month
fair
Café WiFi
high
English Level
large
Nomad Community
74/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Shoreditch, Clapham, King's Cross

Frequently Asked Questions

Is London cheap to live in?

London has a cost of living index of 49/100, where New York = 100. It is 51% cheaper than New York. A single person can live comfortably for approximately $1,740–$2,436 per month.

How much does rent cost in London?

A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center of London costs approximately $2,980/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $2,180/month.

Is London good for digital nomads?

London has a large digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 169 Mbps, café wifi reliability is fair, and coworking spaces run about $280/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in London?

The median net monthly salary in London is approximately $4,030 USD. The income tax rate is around 22%.

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

London (cost index 49) is 51% cheaper than New York (cost index 100). You could save roughly $1,275/month by moving from New York to London.

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