Cost of living in Manchester (United Kingdom) is 33% cheaper than in London (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 1,280 prices entered by 237 different people.
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Currency:
| Food | - 18% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in Manchester (United Kingdom) is 18% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manchester | London | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £12 | £18 | - 33% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £5.70 | £6 | - 9% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.57 | £3.17 | + 13% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £0.86 | £0.95 | - 9% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £2.19 | £3.07 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £1.72 | £2.36 | - 27% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £3.68 | £3.91 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £1.97 | £2.17 | - 9% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.90 | £1.03 | - 13% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £2.02 | £2.01 | + 1% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £8 | £8 | - 0% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £1.92 | £1.98 | - 3% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £0.90 | £1.14 | - 21% | |
| Housing | - 30% | |||
| Housing in Manchester (United Kingdom) is 30% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manchester | London | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £2,117 | £3,090 | - 31% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £1,881 | £2,082 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £179 | £192 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,008 | £1,758 | - 43% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £886 | £1,289 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £91 | £155 | - 41% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £22 | £30 | - 27% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £309 | £336 | - 8% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £71 | £96 | - 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £8 | £6 | + 39% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £10 | £14 | - 25% | |
| Clothes | - 11% | |||
| Clothes in Manchester (United Kingdom) is 11% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manchester | London | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £58 | £69 | - 16% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £32 | £35 | - 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £74 | £78 | - 6% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £82 | £97 | - 16% | |
| Transportation | - 45% | |||
| Transportation in Manchester (United Kingdom) is 45% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manchester | London | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £21,079 | £22,886 | - 8% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.49 | £1.57 | - 5% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £69 | £155 | - 55% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | £13 | £20 | - 36% | |
| Personal Care | - 18% | |||
| Personal Care in Manchester (United Kingdom) is 18% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manchester | London | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £4.51 | £3.09 | + 46% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £8 | £9 | - 5% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £101 | £128 | - 22% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.02 | £2.99 | + 1% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £1.24 | £1.87 | - 34% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £3.51 | £4.31 | - 19% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £1.77 | £1.86 | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £1.35 | £1.64 | - 18% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £13 | £23 | - 44% | |
| Entertainment | - 35% | |||
| Entertainment in Manchester (United Kingdom) is 35% cheaper than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| Manchester | London | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £26 | £42 | - 37% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £14 | £27 | - 47% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £74 | £318 | - 77% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £56 | £68 | - 18% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £8 | £12 | - 29% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.36 | £3.18 | + 6% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £3.98 | £5.96 | - 33% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £367 | £596 | - 38% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.09 | £0.12 | - 26% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £33 | £47 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £9 | £13 | - 28% | |
 |
TOTAL | - 33% | ||
This comparison has some inconsistent or sparse data. It already provides a reliable comparison but it is not bullet-proof. It is based on 1,280 prices entered by 237 different people.
These prices were last updated on May 18, 2022.
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For example, to keep the same standard of living that would require £8,700 in London you would need to make just about £5,804 in Manchester.
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