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
+7% rent since Jul 2026
$3,650/mo
Median Income
76/100
Safety
20%
Income Tax
temperate oceanic
Climate

Cost Breakdown by Category

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

Housing
92/100
1-Bed Apartment (City Center)$3,004/month
1-Bed Apartment (Outside Center)$2,273/month
3-Bed Apartment (City Center)$4,780/month
Food & Groceries
72/100
Milk (1 liter)$1.32/liter
Bread (500g loaf)$1.15/loaf
Rice (1 kg)$2.2/kg
Transportation
80/100
Monthly Transit Pass$256/month
One-Way Ticket$4/trip
Taxi (1 km)$2.1/km
Utilities
75/100
Basic (Elec, Heat, Water, Garbage) 85m2$388/month
Internet (60+ Mbps)$38/month
Mobile Plan (10GB+)$35/month
Healthcare
88/100
Doctor Visit (15 min)$60/visit
Dentist Visit$80/visit
Prescription Medicine (avg)$12/course
Education
85/100
Preschool/Kindergarten (monthly)$1,400/month
International Primary School (yearly)$25,000/year
Language Course (12 weeks)$950/course
Entertainment
75/100
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)$14/ticket
Theater Ticket$65/ticket
Museum Entry$18/ticket
Clothing
80/100
Jeans (Levi's or similar)$75/pair
Summer Dress (Zara/H&M)$45/piece
Running Shoes (Nike/Adidas)$110/pair
Personal Care
68/100
Haircut (Men)$25/cut
Haircut (Women)$55/cut
Shampoo (400ml)$6.4/bottle
Dining Out
78/100
Meal at Inexpensive Restaurant$19/meal
Meal for 2 (Mid-Range)$76/meal
McMeal at McDonald's$11/meal
Childcare
82/100
Full-Day Daycare (monthly)$1,280/month
Babysitter (per hour)$18/hour
Pack of Diapers (60 ct)$25/pack
Fitness & Sports
72/100
Gym Membership (monthly)$65/month
Tennis Court Rent (1 hr)$28/hour
Swimming Pool (adult entry)$10/entry

Digital Nomad Profile

86 Mbps
Internet Speed
$300
Coworking/Month
excellent
Café WiFi
high
English Level
large
Nomad Community
82/100
Walkability

Best neighborhoods: Shoreditch, Fitzrovia, Soho

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 $3,004/month. Outside the center, expect to pay around $2,273/month.

Is London good for digital nomads?

London has a large digital nomad community. Average internet speed is 86 Mbps, café wifi reliability is excellent, and coworking spaces run about $300/month. English proficiency is high.

What is the average salary in London?

The median net monthly salary in London is approximately $3,650 USD. The income tax rate is around 20%.

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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