Cost of living in New York City (United States) is 41% more expensive 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 1,979 prices entered by 330 different people.
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| Food | + 80% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in New York City (United States) is 80% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | London | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $21 (£17) | £17 | + 2% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $13 (£11) | £8 | + 42% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $7 (£6) | £3.83 | + 58% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.71 (£1.41) | £1.13 | + 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $9 (£7) | £4.01 | + 77% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $8 (£6) | £1.86 | + 235% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (£5.00) | £4.11 | + 22% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $5.03 (£4.13) | £2.01 | + 106% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.62 (£2.16) | £0.75 | + 188% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $8 (£7) | £1.89 | + 244% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $25 (£21) | £10 | + 102% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $3.11 (£2.55) | £2.21 | + 16% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $4.53 (£3.72) | £1.07 | + 248% | |
| Housing | + 12% | |||
| Housing in New York City (United States) is 12% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | London | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $4,912 (£4,034) | £4,480 | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $3,730 (£3,063) | £3,397 | - 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $316 (£260) | £165 | + 57% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $4,171 (£3,425) | £2,827 | + 21% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $2,509 (£2,060) | £1,733 | + 19% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $224 (£184) | £136 | + 36% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $72 (£59) | £28 | + 108% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $446 (£366) | £255 | + 43% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $173 (£142) | £103 | + 38% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $16 (£13) | £4.87 | + 170% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $35 (£29) | £13 | + 114% | |
| Clothes | + 41% | |||
| Clothes in New York City (United States) is 41% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | London | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $84 (£69) | £76 | - 9% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $67 (£55) | £36 | + 54% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $138 (£113) | £86 | + 32% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $289 (£238) | £97 | + 145% | |
| Transportation | - 0% | |||
| Transportation in New York City (United States) is about the same as in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | London | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $57,529 (£47,240) | £28,958 | + 63% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.08 (£0.88) | £1.46 | - 39% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $192 (£158) | £169 | - 6% | |
| Taxi trip on a business day, basic tariff, 8 km. (5 miles) | $39 (£32) | £21 | + 51% | |
| Personal Care | + 259% | |||
| Personal Care in New York City (United States) is 259% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | London | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $22 (£18) | £2.22 | + 725% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $55 (£46) | £7 | + 582% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $183 (£151) | £55 | + 174% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $18 (£15) | £3.62 | + 304% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $10 (£8) | £2.03 | + 287% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $17 (£14) | £5.04 | + 181% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $8 (£7) | £2.13 | + 219% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.97 (£1.62) | £2.06 | - 21% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $45 (£37) | £15 | + 141% | |
| Entertainment | + 230% | |||
| Entertainment in New York City (United States) is 230% more expensive than in London (United Kingdom) | ||||
| Update prices | Update prices | |||
| New York City | London | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $102 (£84) | £40 | + 110% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $52 (£43) | £26 | + 61% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $575 (£472) | £100 | + 375% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $183 (£150) | £77 | + 94% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $23 (£19) | £13 | + 48% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $8 (£6) | £3.62 | + 73% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $14 (£12) | £7 | + 67% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $1,189 (£976) | £410 | + 138% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $1.74 (£1.43) | £0.11 | + 1216% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $325 (£267) | £47 | + 464% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $21 (£17) | £15 | + 15% | |
 |
TOTAL | + 41% | ||
WARNING! This comparison is based on only a few data points. At this point it is only a guess. It is based on 1,979 prices entered by 330 different people.
These prices were last updated on January 20, 2025.
Exchange rate:
0.821
GBP
/
USD
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For example, you would need at least £16,942 ($20,632) in New York City to maintain the same standard of living that you can have with £12,000 in London.
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