United Kingdom is 8.3% cheaper — but purchasing power is 3.9% weaker. Lower prices help, but you'll likely take home less overall.
Compared to Australia. Green = cheaper or better in United Kingdom. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
Every Category, Side by Side
Averaged across 31 cities. All indices relative to NYC = 100.
| Category | 🇦🇺 Australia | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 79.5 | 72.9 | -8.3% |
| Rent | 42.1 | 34.7 | -17.6% |
| Groceries | 95.6 | 71 | -25.7% |
| Restaurants | 73.6 | 78.7 | +6.9% |
| Purchasing Power | 131.6 | 126.5 | -3.9% |
What You Actually Keep After Taxes
Same gross salary, different tax systems. Annual take-home pay in Sydney vs London.
| Gross | 🇦🇺 Net in Australia | 🇬🇧 Net in United Kingdom | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| €40,000 | €288,530 | €32,320 | -€256,210 |
| €60,000 | €50,280 | €45,358 | -€4,922 |
| €80,000 | €63,880 | €56,958 | -€6,922 |
| €100,000 | €77,480 | €68,558 | -€8,922 |
Single person, no children. Tax rates for Sydney and London (2026). Try the full calculator
Tax Calculators
Enter your exact numbers and see your real take-home pay in both countries.
Calculate Your Take-Home PayTop Cities in Each Country
National averages hide a lot. These are the cities most people actually move to.
| City | CoL | Rent | PP |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney | 83.3 | 56.5 | 115 |
| Melbourne | 80.9 | 42.5 | 135.7 |
| Brisbane | 72.7 | 44.4 | 135.7 |
| Perth | 78.8 | 40.4 | 135.8 |
| Canberra | 84.1 | 39.8 | 131.6 |
| City | CoL | Rent | PP |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 90.2 | 69.2 | 110.3 |
| Manchester | 70 | 38.8 | 115.5 |
| Edinburgh | 75.5 | 36.9 | 119.2 |
| Birmingham | 73.5 | 30.6 | 152.9 |
| Guildford | 79.5 | 41.6 | 115.1 |
City-to-City Comparisons
See exact take-home pay for specific cities between Australia and United Kingdom.
FAQ
Related Country Comparisons
Enter your exact numbers and see your real take-home pay in both countries.