🇺🇸 New York vs 🇬🇧 London
Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
New York is 33% cheaper than London
Quick answer
Comparing New York, United States and London, United Kingdom: a moderate single-person monthly budget is approximately $3,000 in New York versus $4,506 in London. New York is roughly 33% cheaper overall. Central 1-bed rent: $1,050/mo (New York) vs $2,783/mo (London). The totals use the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Key facts
- Moderate budget: $3,000/mo in New York single person — city-centre rent + modeled non-housing categories.
- Moderate budget: $4,506/mo in London single person — like-for-like city-centre basket.
- Central 1-bed rent $1,050/mo in New York · $2,783/mo in London.
- Cheaper overall: New York ~33% cheaper than London.
- Source World Bank ICP + national statistics · CC BY 4.0.
Monthly Budget Comparison
| Lifestyle | 🇺🇸 New York | 🇬🇧 London | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $2,100/mo | $3,150/mo | +50% |
| Moderate | $3,000/mo | $4,506/mo | +50% |
| Comfortable | $4,500/mo | $6,750/mo | +50% |
The Moderate row equals the category table below: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending. Budget and Comfortable scale that same basket.
Cost Breakdown by Category
| Category | 🇺🇸 New York | 🇬🇧 London | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Housing (1-bed, center) | $1,050/mo | $2,783/mo | +165% |
| Groceries & Food | $600/mo | $530/mo | -12% |
| Dining Out | $300/mo | $265/mo | -12% |
| Transport | $300/mo | $265/mo | -12% |
| Utilities & Internet | $300/mo | $265/mo | -12% |
| Healthcare | $240/mo | $212/mo | -12% |
| Leisure & Personal | $210/mo | $186/mo | -11% |
Category sum = Moderate budget. Basis: single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
Housing (1-bed, center)
New York
$1,050
London
$2,783
Groceries & Food
New York
$600
London
$530
Dining Out
New York
$300
London
$265
Transport
New York
$300
London
$265
Utilities & Internet
New York
$300
London
$265
Healthcare
New York
$240
London
$212
Leisure & Personal
New York
$210
London
$186
Quick Facts
🇺🇸 New York
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $3,000
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $1,050/mo
- Safety index
- 39/100(concerns)
- Healthcare index
- 83/100
- Country
- United States
🇬🇧 London
- Monthly cost (moderate)
- $4,506
- 1-bed rent (center)
- $2,783/mo
- Cappuccino
- $4.20
- Inexpensive meal
- $15.00
- Monthly transit pass
- $227
- Internet speed
- 120 Mbps
- Safety index
- 68/100(moderately safe)
- Healthcare index
- 91/100
- Country
- United Kingdom
Explore more: New York city guide | London city guide | United States | United Kingdom
Related Comparisons
Frequently Asked Questions
Is New York or London cheaper to live in?
New York is approximately 33% cheaper than London overall.
How much does it cost to live in New York per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in New York is approximately $3,000 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
How much does it cost to live in London per month?
A moderate monthly budget for a single person in London is approximately $4,506 on the single-person city-centre basket: canonical 1-bedroom city-centre rent plus modeled groceries, dining, transport, utilities/internet, healthcare, and leisure/personal spending.
What is the rent difference between New York and London?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,050/month in New York and $2,783/month in London.