Cost of living in United Kingdom compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 28% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Kingdom is 28% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £14 ($17) | $19 | - 10% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £6 ($8) | $10 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.35 ($4.14) | $5.95 | - 30% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £1.06 ($1.31) | $1.09 | + 21% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £3.25 ($4.01) | $4.92 | - 18% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £1.90 ($2.34) | $4.79 | - 51% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £3.82 ($4.72) | $7 | - 33% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £1.96 ($2.42) | $4.70 | - 49% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.94 ($1.17) | $2.54 | - 54% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.70 ($2.10) | $3.09 | - 32% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £8 ($10) | $16 | - 37% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £2.18 ($2.69) | $2.74 | - 2% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £1.03 ($1.28) | $3.08 | - 58% | |
| Housing | - 31% | |||
| Housing in United Kingdom is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £1,809 ($2,234) | $2,998 | - 25% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £1,264 ($1,561) | $2,220 | - 30% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £217 ($268) | $218 | + 23% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,029 ($1,270) | $1,962 | - 35% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £758 ($937) | $1,466 | - 36% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £123 ($151) | $147 | + 3% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £26 ($32) | $63 | - 49% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £301 ($372) | $287 | + 29% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £94 ($116) | $132 | - 12% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £6 ($8) | $14 | - 41% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £14 ($17) | $31 | - 44% | |
| Clothes | - 6% | |||
| Clothes in United Kingdom is 6% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £62 ($76) | $54 | + 40% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £31 ($39) | $45 | - 13% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £68 ($84) | $93 | - 10% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £68 ($84) | $120 | - 31% | |
| Transportation | + 22% | |||
| Transportation in United Kingdom is 22% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £25,499 ($31,494) | $27,716 | + 14% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.65 ($2.04) | $1.06 | + 93% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £78 ($96) | $83 | + 16% | |
| Personal Care | - 36% | |||
| Personal Care in United Kingdom is 36% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £3.52 ($4.35) | $8 | - 45% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £10 ($13) | $20 | - 37% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £81 ($100) | $136 | - 27% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £3.35 ($4.14) | $8 | - 50% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £1.71 ($2.12) | $4.85 | - 56% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £3.61 ($4.46) | $6 | - 27% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £2.29 ($2.83) | $4.74 | - 40% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £1.68 ($2.07) | $2.19 | - 5% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £14 ($18) | $27 | - 35% | |
| Entertainment | - 14% | |||
| Entertainment in United Kingdom is 14% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £37 ($46) | $55 | - 17% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £19 ($23) | $28 | - 18% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £148 ($183) | $198 | - 8% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £60 ($74) | $89 | - 17% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £10 ($12) | $13 | - 11% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.18 ($3.93) | $5.21 | - 25% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £4.68 ($5.78) | $6 | - 9% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £433 ($534) | $567 | - 6% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.11 ($0.13) | $0.20 | - 34% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £33 ($41) | $59 | - 30% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £12 ($15) | $10 | + 51% | |
| TOTAL | - 15% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 30, 2023.
Exchange rate:
1.235
USD
/
GBP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 26,259 prices entered by 3,516 different people.
Cost of living in United Kingdom is 15% cheaper than in United States
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