Cost of living in New York City (United States) is 78% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom)
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This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 786 prices entered by 197 different people.
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| Food | + 80% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in New York City (United States) is 80% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $23 (£19) | £11 | + 73% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $11 (£9) | £6 | + 43% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $9 (£7) | £3.77 | + 89% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.26 (£1.02) | £1.10 | - 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $5.49 (£4.45) | £3.44 | + 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $6 (£5.04) | £2.05 | + 146% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $8 (£7) | £3.39 | + 101% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $5.10 (£4.13) | £2.03 | + 103% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $3.58 (£2.90) | £0.87 | + 232% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.35 (£2.71) | £1.81 | + 50% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $18 (£14) | £8 | + 70% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.03 (£2.45) | £2.04 | + 20% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $3.96 (£3.21) | £0.91 | + 254% | |
| Housing | + 156% | |||
| Housing in New York City (United States) is 156% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $6,498 (£5,264) | £1,574 | + 234% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,749 (£3,037) | £1,037 | + 193% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $175 (£141) | £272 | - 48% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $3,632 (£2,942) | £852 | + 245% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,245 (£1,819) | £725 | + 151% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $123 (£100) | £105 | - 5% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $65 (£53) | £27 | + 94% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $325 (£263) | £347 | - 24% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $140 (£113) | £102 | + 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (£11) | £7 | + 47% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $27 (£22) | £13 | + 66% | |
| Clothes | + 36% | |||
| Clothes in New York City (United States) is 36% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $60 (£48) | £63 | - 23% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $57 (£46) | £28 | + 64% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $96 (£78) | £67 | + 16% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $147 (£119) | £62 | + 92% | |
| Transportation | + 35% | |||
| Transportation in New York City (United States) is 35% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $25,156 (£20,378) | £24,000 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.26 (£1.02) | £1.53 | - 34% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $129 (£105) | £64 | + 64% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $21 (£17) | £12 | + 48% | |
| Personal Care | + 30% | |||
| Personal Care in New York City (United States) is 30% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (£5.36) | £7 | - 21% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $18 (£15) | £8 | + 97% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $105 (£85) | £100 | - 15% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $9 (£7) | £3.66 | + 90% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.53 (£3.67) | £1.98 | + 85% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $7 (£5.80) | £3.40 | + 71% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.68 (£2.98) | £1.99 | + 50% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.33 (£1.89) | £1.92 | - 2% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $31 (£25) | £13 | + 87% | |
| Entertainment | + 54% | |||
| Entertainment in New York City (United States) is 54% more expensive than in Birmingham (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | Birmingham | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $80 (£65) | £23 | + 185% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $37 (£30) | £18 | + 66% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $350 (£284) | £93 | + 206% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $97 (£79) | £49 | + 61% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $19 (£15) | £8 | + 85% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.39 (£4.37) | £3.15 | + 39% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $8 (£6) | £4.04 | + 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $487 (£395) | £444 | - 11% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.10 (£0.08) | £0.19 | - 56% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $102 (£83) | £31 | + 167% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $15 (£12) | £11 | + 6% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 78% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 786 prices entered by 197 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 28, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.810
GBP
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least £7,654 ($9,449) in New York City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £4,300 in Birmingham.
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