Cost of living in United Kingdom compared to China
Currency:
| Food | + 83% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Kingdom is 83% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £15 (139元) | 40元 | + 245% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £8 (70元) | 36元 | + 93% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.96 (37元) | 15元 | + 154% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.09 (10元) | 14元 | - 29% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £3.72 (35元) | 17元 | + 108% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.53 (24元) | 11元 | + 120% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £4.82 (45元) | 50元 | - 10% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £2.15 (20元) | 16元 | + 27% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.92 (9元) | 6元 | + 34% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £2.08 (20元) | 6元 | + 204% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £10 (89元) | 94元 | - 5% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £2.23 (21元) | 9元 | + 131% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £1.06 (10元) | 13元 | - 21% | |
| Housing | + 131% | |||
| Housing in United Kingdom is 131% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £2,777 (26,013元) | 14,276元 | + 82% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £2,060 (19,296元) | 6,833元 | + 182% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £188 (1,759元) | 449元 | + 292% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,823 (17,074元) | 6,729元 | + 154% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £1,229 (11,511元) | 3,858元 | + 198% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £136 (1,278元) | 296元 | + 332% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £27 (255元) | 100元 | + 156% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £264 (2,477元) | 1,460元 | + 70% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £90 (848元) | 553元 | + 53% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £7 (66元) | 43元 | + 54% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £14 (132元) | 57元 | + 132% | |
| Clothes | + 29% | |||
| Clothes in United Kingdom is 29% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £72 (674元) | 418元 | + 61% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £35 (323元) | 296元 | + 9% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £83 (774元) | 570元 | + 36% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £84 (791元) | 705元 | + 12% | |
| Transportation | + 201% | |||
| Transportation in United Kingdom is 201% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £28,289 (264,998元) | 148,726元 | + 78% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.43 (13元) | 8元 | + 65% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £107 (1,005元) | 233元 | + 331% | |
| Personal Care | + 9% | |||
| Personal Care in United Kingdom is 9% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £3.64 (34元) | 51元 | - 34% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £8 (71元) | 84元 | - 15% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £72 (674元) | 114元 | + 493% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.91 (37元) | 67元 | - 45% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £1.97 (18元) | 57元 | - 68% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £4.20 (39元) | 25元 | + 57% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.22 (21元) | 7元 | + 199% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £1.90 (18元) | 13元 | + 42% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £15 (142元) | 85元 | + 68% | |
| Entertainment | + 76% | |||
| Entertainment in United Kingdom is 76% more expensive than in China | ||||
| United Kingdom | China | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £39 (363元) | 203元 | + 79% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £23 (211元) | 109元 | + 95% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £116 (1,088元) | 703元 | + 55% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £66 (621元) | 320元 | + 94% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £11 (106元) | 81元 | + 31% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.75 (35元) | 28元 | + 27% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £5.93 (56元) | 15元 | + 266% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £427 (3,997元) | 3,924元 | + 2% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.10 (0.97元) | 0.34元 | + 189% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £41 (383元) | 414元 | - 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £15 (140元) | 26元 | + 428% | |
| TOTAL | + 116% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 16, 2025.
Exchange rate:
9.368
CNY
/
GBP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 3,891 prices entered by 567 different people.
Cost of living in United Kingdom is 116% more expensive than in China
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