Cost of living in United States compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 41% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 41% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $19 (£15) | £13 | + 18% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $10 (£8) | £6 | + 29% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $5.75 (£4.64) | £3.47 | + 34% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $1.09 (£0.88) | £0.95 | - 7% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $4.47 (£3.61) | £2.99 | + 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.56 (£3.68) | £2.07 | + 78% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $7 (£5.68) | £4.21 | + 35% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $4.23 (£3.42) | £2.06 | + 66% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $2.15 (£1.73) | £0.78 | + 121% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.29 (£2.65) | £1.75 | + 52% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $16 (£13) | £8 | + 54% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $2.54 (£2.05) | £2.03 | + 1% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.82 (£2.28) | £0.92 | + 148% | |
| Housing | + 24% | |||
| Housing in United States is 24% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,805 (£2,263) | £2,053 | + 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $2,085 (£1,682) | £1,536 | + 10% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $217 (£175) | £187 | - 7% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,938 (£1,564) | £1,220 | + 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,451 (£1,171) | £1,039 | + 13% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $147 (£119) | £126 | - 6% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $59 (£48) | £25 | + 94% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $302 (£243) | £278 | - 12% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $131 (£105) | £85 | + 24% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $13 (£11) | £6 | + 75% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $33 (£26) | £13 | + 99% | |
| Clothes | + 4% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 4% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $53 (£43) | £66 | - 36% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $47 (£38) | £32 | + 19% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $94 (£75) | £74 | + 2% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $119 (£96) | £72 | + 33% | |
| Transportation | - 29% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 29% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $27,552 (£22,228) | £23,492 | - 5% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $1.14 (£0.92) | £1.71 | - 46% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $78 (£63) | £94 | - 33% | |
| Personal Care | + 62% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 62% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $8 (£6) | £3.65 | + 69% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $23 (£18) | £10 | + 88% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $139 (£112) | £81 | + 38% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $8 (£7) | £2.65 | + 149% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $4.67 (£3.77) | £1.71 | + 120% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $5.76 (£4.65) | £3.56 | + 30% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $4.45 (£3.59) | £2.10 | + 71% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $2.15 (£1.74) | £1.56 | + 11% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $27 (£22) | £15 | + 50% | |
| Entertainment | + 11% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 11% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| United States | United Kingdom | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $53 (£43) | £34 | + 25% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $28 (£22) | £21 | + 6% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $191 (£154) | £115 | + 35% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $92 (£74) | £61 | + 22% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $13 (£11) | £9 | + 17% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $5.52 (£4.45) | £3.23 | + 38% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $6 (£5.24) | £5.15 | + 2% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $519 (£418) | £473 | - 12% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.21 (£0.17) | £0.13 | + 29% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $56 (£46) | £38 | + 20% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $10 (£8) | £13 | - 37% | |
| TOTAL | + 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.807
GBP
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 25,134 prices entered by 3,460 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 8% more expensive than in United Kingdom
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