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Cost of Living in London

London, London, City of, United Kingdom · Population 11,262,000 · National capital

▲ +25% vs United Kingdom average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)£1,225 ($1,550)
Couple, monthly£2,251 ($2,850)
Family of four, monthly£2,986 ($3,779)

Estimated Prices in London

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant£10.48 ($13.26)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range£41.90 ($53.04)per meal
Cappuccino£3.14 ($3.98)each
Monthly groceries (single person)£237 ($301)per month
Monthly public transport pass£38.41 ($48.62)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment£101 ($128)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)£29.33 ($37.13)per month
Fitness club membership£29.33 ($37.13)per month
Cinema ticket£7.68 ($9.72)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre£757 ($958)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre£526 ($666)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre£1,579 ($1,999)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in London is £3,184 ($4,030) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of £1,225 ($1,550) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly £1,592 ($2,015) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (£526 ($666)) represents about 43% of the total single-person budget.

Compare London

London vs BirminghamLondon vs PortsmouthLondon vs SouthamptonLondon vs BristolLondon vs GlasgowLondon vs Manchester

Nearby Cities

Westminster

1 km away · Westminster

Holborn

2 km away · Camden

Lambeth

2 km away · Lambeth

Southwark

3 km away · Southwark

Spitalfields

4 km away · Tower Hamlets

Kensington

4 km away · Kensington and Chelsea

Islington

4 km away · Islington

Camden

4 km away · Camden

Other Major Cities in United Kingdom

Birmingham

Birmingham · pop. 2,590,363

£1,059 ($1,341) / mo

Portsmouth

Portsmouth · pop. 855,679

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Southampton

Southampton · pop. 855,569

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Bristol

Bristol, City of · pop. 707,412

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Glasgow

Glasgow City · pop. 626,410

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Manchester

Manchester · pop. 547,627

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Leeds

Leeds · pop. 536,280

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Sheffield

Sheffield · pop. 518,090

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Living in London

London is the capital and one of the key cities in United Kingdom. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is £1,225 ($1,550), placing it above the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around £526 ($666) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to £2,986 ($3,779) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately £2,251 ($2,850) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in London is £3,184 ($4,030). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least £1,592 ($2,015) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is London expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated £1,225 ($1,550) per month in London including rent outside the city centre. That is 25% more than the national average for United Kingdom.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in London?
A net salary of around £1,592 ($2,015) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in London with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in London is £3,184 ($4,030).
How much is rent in London?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated £757 ($958) per month in the city centre and £526 ($666) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about £1,579 ($1,999).
Is London cheaper than United Kingdom on average?
No — London is estimated to be about 25% more expensive than the United Kingdom average, mainly due to housing demand as the national capital.
What is the cost of groceries in London?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at £237 ($301) in London. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about £10 ($13) and a cappuccino runs around £3 ($4).
How do transport costs in London compare?
A monthly public transport pass in London is estimated at £38 ($49). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for London are estimates based on United Kingdom national averages adjusted for city size (population 11,262,000) and capital-city premium. Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.