Cost of living in Birmingham (United Kingdom) is 30% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom)
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WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,345 prices entered by 305 different people.
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| Food | + 6% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Birmingham (United Kingdom) is 6% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Birmingham | London | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £12 | £13 | - 5% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £8 | £7 | + 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £4.29 | £3.54 | + 21% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.31 | £1.01 | + 30% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £4.07 | £3.76 | + 8% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.24 | £2.09 | + 7% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £4.82 | £4.77 | + 1% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £2.60 | £1.86 | + 40% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £1.11 | £0.73 | + 51% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.50 | £1.59 | - 6% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £10 | £10 | + 2% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £2.38 | £2.17 | + 10% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £0.95 | £1.11 | - 14% | |
| Housing | - 41% | |||
| Housing in Birmingham (United Kingdom) is 41% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Birmingham | London | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £1,326 | £3,043 | - 56% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £950 | £2,020 | - 53% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £272 | £186 | + 46% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £852 | £1,978 | - 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £921 | £1,491 | - 38% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £94 | £118 | - 20% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £31 | £23 | + 34% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £347 | £260 | + 33% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £84 | £72 | + 17% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £7 | £4.81 | + 54% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £14 | £15 | - 6% | |
| Clothes | - 17% | |||
| Clothes in Birmingham (United Kingdom) is 17% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Birmingham | London | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £61 | £64 | - 4% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £28 | £36 | - 23% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £68 | £90 | - 24% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £66 | £73 | - 9% | |
| Transportation | - 43% | |||
| Transportation in Birmingham (United Kingdom) is 43% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Birmingham | London | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £22,693 | £23,978 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.47 | £1.52 | - 3% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £71 | £155 | - 54% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | £16 | £20 | - 21% | |
| Personal Care | + 7% | |||
| Personal Care in Birmingham (United Kingdom) is 7% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Birmingham | London | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £7 | £3.65 | + 86% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £8 | £10 | - 21% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £100 | £79 | + 26% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.66 | £3.42 | + 7% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £1.98 | £1.63 | + 22% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £3.13 | £4.23 | - 26% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £1.76 | £2.05 | - 15% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £1.76 | £1.99 | - 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £14 | £17 | - 19% | |
| Entertainment | - 4% | |||
| Entertainment in Birmingham (United Kingdom) is about the same as in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Birmingham | London | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £24 | £40 | - 40% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £18 | £23 | - 23% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £90 | £189 | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £50 | £71 | - 30% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £8 | £13 | - 33% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.22 | £3.66 | - 12% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £4.16 | £6 | - 33% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £444 | £516 | - 14% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.37 | £0.10 | + 254% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £46 | £53 | - 15% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £13 | £13 | - 2% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 30% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,345 prices entered by 305 different people.
These prices were last updated on September 27, 2023.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require £8,800 in London you would need to make just about £6,130 in Birmingham.
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