Cost of living in United Kingdom compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 11% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Kingdom is 11% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £10 ($14) | $15 | - 4% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £5.83 ($8) | $8 | - 1% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.33 ($4.62) | $4.25 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £0.84 ($1.16) | $0.88 | + 32% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £2.50 ($3.47) | $2.94 | + 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £1.92 ($2.67) | $4.10 | - 35% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £4.31 ($6) | $6 | - 6% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £1.94 ($2.69) | $3.29 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.78 ($1.09) | $1.68 | - 35% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.70 ($2.37) | $3.30 | - 28% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £8 ($12) | $14 | - 18% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £1.94 ($2.70) | $1.99 | + 36% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £0.91 ($1.27) | $2.06 | - 39% | |
| Housing | + 1% | |||
| Housing in United Kingdom is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £1,818 ($2,528) | $2,211 | + 14% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £1,114 ($1,549) | $1,548 | + 0% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £145 ($201) | $179 | + 13% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,142 ($1,589) | $1,535 | + 4% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £1,017 ($1,415) | $1,116 | + 27% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £93 ($129) | $113 | + 14% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £22 ($30) | $50 | - 39% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £325 ($452) | $271 | + 67% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £75 ($104) | $128 | - 18% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £6 ($9) | $11 | - 18% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £12 ($17) | $22 | - 23% | |
| Clothes | + 23% | |||
| Clothes in United Kingdom is 23% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £69 ($96) | $47 | + 105% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £33 ($46) | $43 | + 5% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £77 ($107) | $87 | + 22% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £75 ($104) | $109 | - 5% | |
| Transportation | + 58% | |||
| Transportation in United Kingdom is 58% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £20,042 ($27,873) | $23,574 | + 18% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.14 ($1.59) | $0.64 | + 149% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £89 ($124) | $74 | + 66% | |
| Personal Care | - 17% | |||
| Personal Care in United Kingdom is 17% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £3.04 ($4.22) | $7 | - 41% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £9 ($12) | $16 | - 25% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £82 ($114) | $112 | + 2% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.32 ($4.62) | $7 | - 30% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £1.52 ($2.12) | $3.47 | - 39% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £3.20 ($4.45) | $4.93 | - 10% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £1.90 ($2.64) | $3.64 | - 27% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £1.45 ($2.02) | $1.81 | + 12% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £14 ($19) | $22 | - 12% | |
| Entertainment | + 1% | |||
| Entertainment in United Kingdom is about the same as in United States | ||||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £30 ($42) | $46 | - 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £19 ($26) | $25 | + 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £135 ($187) | $205 | - 9% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £57 ($79) | $80 | - 1% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £8 ($12) | $12 | - 4% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.31 ($4.60) | $5.04 | - 9% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £4.54 ($6) | $5.85 | + 8% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £421 ($585) | $421 | + 39% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.30 ($0.42) | $0.51 | - 18% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £33 ($45) | $49 | - 8% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £12 ($16) | $8 | + 95% | |
| TOTAL | + 11% | |||
These prices were last updated on March 02, 2021.
Exchange rate:
1.391
USD
/
GBP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 37,245 prices entered by 5,053 different people.
Cost of living in United Kingdom is 11% more expensive than in United States
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