Cost of living in London: let’s analyze costs of food, real estate, entertainment and transport in London, the capital of the United Kingdom
Are you considering moving to London, for your career or to start a business? Check below the data for the cost of living in London, the capital of England, the UK, and the largest financial center in Europe.
Cost of Living in London, United Kingdom
London is the capital and largest city in United Kingdom. It is one of the most well-known cities in Europe. Apart from its strong its financial vocation, it is also famous for its architecture, pubs and iconic landmarks like the Big Ben and the London Bridge.
Furthermore, London is one of the most popular cities among expats. The city is a global melting pot, with strong communities from most countries. The price levels of goods and services are relatively high compared to most cities in Europe. London is one of the most well-connected cities in the world thanks to its several international airports and its favorable geographical location.
London has always been a multicultural city with numerous foreign employees and companies. The use of the English language is one of the main reasons behind that. However, a rather stable economical environment, relatively low corporate taxes, are also playing important roles in London’s attractiveness.
The cost of living in London is notorious for its expensiveness. The public transport and the services in general are pricey but do provide an overal good quality of services. However the real estate market is prices are among the highest in Europe, as the demand and rental prices are both very high. Nevertheless it is necessary to point out that the income level is above the European average.
Let’s check some data for the cost of living in London, United Kingdom below:
The currency in the United Kingdom is the British pound. The conversion rate to the GBP is 1 dollar to 0.81 GBP as of April 19, 2024.
If you want to suggest your own values based on your experiences in this city, click on edit and insert the values. Upon moderation they will be calculated to make part of the average prices displayed below.
| Food | Price [EDIT] |
|---|---|
| 1 liter of milk | 1.25 USD |
| 1 loaf of bread | 1.42 USD |
| 1 kg of tomatoes | 2.50 USD |
| 1 kg of chicken | 5.24 USD |
| 1 single meal cheap restaurant | 15.40 USD |
| 1 single meal high-end restaurant | 67.00 USD |
| 1 cappuccino or latte | 3.19 USD |
| 1 big pizza delivery | 22.66 USD |
| Real Estate | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) rent per month | 1,750.00 USD |
| 1 bedroom flat (40 m2) utilities per month | 127.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) rent per month | 2,451.00 USD |
| 2 bedroom flat (80 m2) utilities per month | 191.00 USD |
| Price per square meter (city center) | 12,345.00 USD |
| Transport | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 single ride public transport | 3.05 USD |
| Monthly public transport ticket | 185.00 USD |
| 1 km taxi or similar transport app | 4.05 USD |
| 1 liter of gasoline (1/4 gallon) | 1.58 USD |
| Toyota Corolla (new) basic version | 23,581.00 USD |
| Salaries | Price [EDIT] |
| Minimum Salary | 1,221.00 USD |
| Average Salary (net) | 3,155.00 USD |
| Extras | Price [EDIT] |
| 1 ticket to the movies (adult price) | 15.50 USD |
| High speed internet per month | 33.50 USD |
| 1 month gym subscription | 57.00 USD |
Cost of Living for Students in London, United Kingdom
London is a pleasant place for students. Great universities and lively students choose the British capital to study. The level of the education is excellent in the capital, as well as in the country as a whole. Students’ dorm, shared flats and apartments are some of the options for student housing. The cost of living is not cheap compared to other countries but there are various job opportunities for students and cheap super markets for keeping your costs down.
The main language of the education is English, but some courses are available in other languages. Most of the higher level education institute require some kind of proof of the applicants’ English language knowledge but they offer preparing classes for these tests, too.
Here are some of the main higher education institutions in London:
Getting a Job in London
London is not just the capital of the United Kingdom but one of the busiest global economic hubs. It offers countless job opportunities for international applicants, in almost every business sector. English is usually essential for most jobs, but in specific cases knowledge in other languages are also important. There are no professional limitations, you can find something in any level and any area.
However it is not that easy to become a working person in the United Kingdom because of the strict laws and work permits long processing time. After the country leaves the European Union getting a job may be a challenge for European Union citizens, too (depending on the Brexit arrangements).
Here are some websites for job hunting in United Kingdom:
Quality of Life in London
The quality of life in London is high, especially considering the city size. Huge parks,delicious restaurants and its spectacular architecture provide a great amount of entertainment to its residents and visitors. London has also an exciting cultural life and some of the most famous plays and musicals to see. Concert halls and theaters provide options for all tastes every evening.
London has faced some security issues in the last few years but the city is safe in general and the police and other authorities do everything to keep civilians safe. The public transport is very busy during rush hours. It is a good idea to keep your eyes on your belongings at that time.
While the weather might not be the warmest, London has a pretty pleasant weather. It may be often gray in London, but the weather is rarely prone to extremes, with mild winters in comparison to most of continental Europe, and many warm weeks during summer.
If you are visiting London soon you may want to check some of our other London guides. Check the where to stay in London and the best places to stay in Birmingham. You can also check the average an minimum salary in London, and how long your London rent would last in other cities.
Other Resources for Expats and Travelers
Salaries Worldwide: check our articles on wages worldwide and understand better the economics of the countries you may be considering to move or invest.
Retire Abroad: check our retirement guides and maximize your retirement income and quality of life.
Jetradar: compare and find the cheapest air fares worldwide.