How expensive is London compared to the rest of United Kingdom?

London ranks #11 out of 577 cities globally. It is 46.9% more expensive than the United Kingdom average, based on 23 cities. The rent index is 65.4 and local purchasing power is 118.2.

What is the average rent in London?

A 1-bedroom apartment in London city centre costs approximately GBP 2,145 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to GBP 1,726 (saving 20%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around GBP 4,001.

Is London affordable to live in?

London is very expensive by global standards. Groceries are expensive, restaurants are expensive, and local purchasing power is weak. Workers in United Kingdom earning GBP 42,720 gross take home approximately GBP 2,857 per month after tax.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 2026

Coste de Vida en London

46.9% por encima del promedio de United Kingdom

Posición #11 de 577 ciudades · Más cara que el 98.1% de las ciudades del mundo

+46.9%

Coste de Vida

+96.4%

Alquiler

+8.2%

Supermercado

-8.5%

Poder Adquisitivo

Comparado con el promedio de United Kingdom · Ver ranking de United Kingdom →

Precios de Alquiler en London

Apartamento	Centro	Fuera del Centro	Ahorras
1 Dormitorio	GBP 2,145/mo ≈ $2,841	GBP 1,726/mo ≈ $2,287	20%
3 Dormitorios	GBP 4,001/mo ≈ $5,301	GBP 2,843/mo ≈ $3,766	29%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Prices of Goods & Services in London

Groceries

Item	Price	Sources
Apples (1kg)	GBP 2.23	2 sources
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)	GBP 2.27	2 sources
Bread (500g)	GBP 1.61	2 sources
Local cheese (1kg)	GBP 11.16	2 sources
Chicken (1kg)	GBP 7.70	2 sources
Cigarettes (Marlboro)	GBP 16.88	2 sources
Eggs (12)	GBP 4.41	2 sources
Milk (1L)	GBP 1.27	2 sources
Potatoes (1kg)	GBP 1.03	2 sources
Tomatoes (1kg)	GBP 2.68	2 sources
Water (1.5L)	GBP 1.29	1 source
Wine (mid-range)	GBP 10.75	2 sources

Apples (1kg)

GBP 2.23

Beer (0.5L, supermarket)

GBP 2.27

Bread (500g)

GBP 1.61

Local cheese (1kg)

GBP 11.16

Chicken (1kg)

GBP 7.70

Cigarettes (Marlboro)

GBP 16.88

Eggs (12)

GBP 4.41

Milk (1L)

GBP 1.27

Potatoes (1kg)

GBP 1.03

Tomatoes (1kg)

GBP 2.68

Water (1.5L)

GBP 1.29

Wine (mid-range)

GBP 10.75

Restaurants

Item	Price	Sources
Draft beer (0.5L)	GBP 6.75	2 sources
Cappuccino	GBP 4.44	3 sources
McMeal	GBP 9.37	2 sources
Cheap meal	GBP 17.50	2 sources
Mid-range dinner (2 people)	GBP 89.50	2 sources

Draft beer (0.5L)

GBP 6.75

Cappuccino

GBP 4.44

McMeal

GBP 9.37

Cheap meal

GBP 17.50

Mid-range dinner (2 people)

GBP 89.50

Clothing & Shoes

Item	Price	Sources
Business shoes (leather)	GBP 96.84	2 sources
Jeans (Levi's 501)	GBP 82.56	2 sources
Sport shoes (Nike)	GBP 90.55	2 sources
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)	GBP 41.81	2 sources

Business shoes (leather)

GBP 96.84

Jeans (Levi's 501)

GBP 82.56

Sport shoes (Nike)

GBP 90.55

Summer dress (Zara/H&M)

GBP 41.81

Leisure

Item	Price	Sources
Cinema ticket	GBP 14.75	2 sources
Gym membership	GBP 73.15	2 sources

Cinema ticket

GBP 14.75

Gym membership

GBP 73.15

Transportation

Item	Price	Sources
Gasoline (1L)	GBP 1.36	2 sources
Taxi start	GBP 4.20	1 source
Monthly pass	GBP 197.50	2 sources

Gasoline (1L)

GBP 1.36

Taxi start

GBP 4.20

Monthly pass

GBP 197.50

Utilities

Item	Price	Sources
Basic utilities (85m²)	GBP 237.29	2 sources

Basic utilities (85m²)

GBP 237.29

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

★★ Medium Confidence

London has a cost of living index of 78.9 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 2 of 3 data sources. LivingCost is left out because it sits more than 15% away from the others.

78.9

Index

Sources

3.1

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

77.3

Expatistan

No data

LivingCost

91.6

left out

ShouldIMove price index

80.4

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

Eurostat Validation (EU27 = 100) Gov. Data

Eurostat

140.4

Based on 117 country PLI x 1.2 city factor

View all 577 cities | Data last updated: 2026-03-18

Índices de Coste

Coste de Vida

+46.9% Very expensive

Alquiler

+96.4% Very expensive

Supermercado

+8.2% Expensive

Restaurantes

+14.8% Expensive

Poder Adquisitivo

-8.5% Weak

Vivir en London: Qué Esperar

London es very expensive según estándares globales (puesto #11 de 577 ciudades). Está 46.9% más caro que el promedio de United Kingdom, basado en 23 ciudades.

Los comestibles son expensive, mientras que comer fuera es expensive. Groceries ofrece el mejor valor, mientras que Rent es lo más caro.

Los trabajadores en United Kingdom con GBP 42,720 brutos se llevan GBP 2,857/mes neto después de impuestos (19.8%% tipo efectivo). Ver calculadora fiscal completa de United Kingdom →