Cost of living in United States compared to United Kingdom
Currency:
| Food | + 12% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United States is 12% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | $15 (£11) | £10 | + 5% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | $8 (£5.93) | £5.88 | + 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | $4.22 (£3.07) | £3.31 | - 7% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | $0.88 (£0.64) | £0.86 | - 25% | |
| 12 eggs, large | $2.93 (£2.13) | £2.47 | - 14% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | $4.08 (£2.97) | £2.08 | + 43% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | $6 (£4.62) | £4.09 | + 13% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | $3.28 (£2.39) | £1.93 | + 24% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | $1.67 (£1.22) | £0.79 | + 54% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | $3.20 (£2.33) | £1.71 | + 37% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | $14 (£10) | £8 | + 24% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | $1.97 (£1.44) | £1.95 | - 26% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | $2.02 (£1.47) | £0.92 | + 60% | |
| Housing | - 1% | |||
| Housing in United States is about the same as in United Kingdom | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | $2,204 (£1,605) | £1,812 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | $1,533 (£1,117) | £1,093 | + 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | $178 (£129) | £146 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | $1,524 (£1,110) | £1,120 | - 1% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | $1,106 (£805) | £1,034 | - 22% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | $109 (£79) | £96 | - 17% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | $49 (£36) | £22 | + 62% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | $271 (£198) | £322 | - 39% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | $127 (£93) | £73 | + 26% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | $11 (£8) | £6 | + 24% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | $21 (£16) | £12 | + 32% | |
| Clothes | - 20% | |||
| Clothes in United States is 20% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | $47 (£35) | £71 | - 52% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | $43 (£31) | £33 | - 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | $86 (£63) | £78 | - 20% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | $108 (£79) | £75 | + 5% | |
| Transportation | - 35% | |||
| Transportation in United States is 35% cheaper than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | $23,483 (£17,103) | £20,036 | - 15% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | $0.64 (£0.47) | £1.20 | - 61% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | $75 (£55) | £87 | - 37% | |
| Personal Care | + 19% | |||
| Personal Care in United States is 19% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | $7 (£5.28) | £3.27 | + 62% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | $15 (£11) | £9 | + 25% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | $112 (£82) | £81 | + 0% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | $7 (£4.84) | £3.59 | + 35% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | $3.36 (£2.45) | £1.58 | + 54% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | $4.94 (£3.60) | £3.36 | + 7% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | $3.61 (£2.63) | £1.87 | + 41% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | $1.81 (£1.32) | £1.52 | - 13% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | $21 (£16) | £14 | + 15% | |
| Entertainment | + 9% | |||
| Entertainment in United States is 9% more expensive than in United Kingdom | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | $45 (£33) | £30 | + 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | $25 (£18) | £18 | - 0% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | $211 (£153) | £133 | + 15% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | $78 (£57) | £57 | - 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | $12 (£9) | £8 | + 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | $4.97 (£3.62) | £3.25 | + 11% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | $5.74 (£4.18) | £4.70 | - 11% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | $412 (£300) | £429 | - 30% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | $0.49 (£0.36) | £0.14 | + 153% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | $49 (£36) | £34 | + 5% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | $8 (£6) | £12 | - 48% | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 28, 2021.
Exchange rate:
0.728
GBP
/
USD
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 38,525 prices entered by 5,277 different people.
Cost of living in United States is 8% cheaper than in United Kingdom
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