Cost of living in United Kingdom compared to United States
Currency:
| Food | - 29% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in United Kingdom is 29% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | £11 ($14) | $17 | - 20% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | £5.82 ($7) | $9 | - 22% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | £3.56 ($4.36) | $5.06 | - 14% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | £0.86 ($1.05) | $0.99 | + 6% | |
| 12 eggs, large | £2.77 ($3.39) | $3.33 | + 2% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | £2.32 ($2.83) | $4.44 | - 36% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | £3.99 ($4.88) | $7 | - 29% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | £2.10 ($2.57) | $3.92 | - 34% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | £0.75 ($0.92) | $1.94 | - 53% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | £1.70 ($2.08) | $3.35 | - 38% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | £9 ($11) | $16 | - 31% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | £1.92 ($2.35) | $2.26 | + 4% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | £0.85 ($1.04) | $2.45 | - 58% | |
| Housing | - 16% | |||
| Housing in United Kingdom is 16% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | £1,841 ($2,251) | $2,514 | - 10% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | £1,576 ($1,927) | $1,957 | - 2% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | £177 ($217) | $205 | + 6% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | £1,296 ($1,585) | $1,777 | - 11% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | £918 ($1,122) | $1,349 | - 17% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | £138 ($169) | $139 | + 22% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | £23 ($28) | $57 | - 50% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | £294 ($359) | $303 | + 19% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | £101 ($123) | $134 | - 8% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | £6 ($8) | $12 | - 37% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | £13 ($16) | $26 | - 40% | |
| Clothes | - 0% | |||
| Clothes in United Kingdom is about the same as in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | £67 ($82) | $51 | + 60% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | £34 ($41) | $46 | - 11% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | £72 ($88) | $92 | - 4% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | £72 ($88) | $120 | - 27% | |
| Transportation | + 25% | |||
| Transportation in United Kingdom is 25% more expensive than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | £22,503 ($27,519) | $25,233 | + 9% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | £1.54 ($1.89) | $1.06 | + 79% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | £78 ($95) | $77 | + 24% | |
| Personal Care | - 31% | |||
| Personal Care in United Kingdom is 31% cheaper than in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | £4.11 ($5.03) | $7 | - 33% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | £9 ($11) | $19 | - 41% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | £90 ($110) | $125 | - 12% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | £2.50 ($3.06) | $7 | - 59% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | £1.57 ($1.92) | $4.17 | - 54% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | £3.42 ($4.18) | $5.50 | - 24% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | £1.89 ($2.31) | $4.18 | - 45% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | £1.29 ($1.57) | $2.05 | - 23% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | £14 ($18) | $25 | - 29% | |
| Entertainment | + 2% | |||
| Entertainment in United Kingdom is about the same as in United States | ||||
| United Kingdom | United States | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | £36 ($44) | $49 | - 10% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | £21 ($26) | $27 | - 3% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | £140 ($172) | $192 | - 10% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | £60 ($73) | $83 | - 12% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | £9 ($12) | $13 | - 9% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | £3.12 ($3.81) | $5.17 | - 26% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | £5.00 ($6) | $6 | - 1% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | £533 ($652) | $499 | + 31% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | £0.17 ($0.21) | $0.17 | + 27% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | £37 ($45) | $52 | - 13% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | £12 ($15) | $9 | + 61% | |
| TOTAL | - 8% | |||
These prices were last updated on May 17, 2022.
Exchange rate:
1.223
USD
/
GBP
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 19,588 prices entered by 3,185 different people.
Cost of living in United Kingdom is 8% cheaper than in United States
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