Cost of living in the United Kingdom

Living the same way in the United Kingdom costs about 92% of what it costs in the US and 102% in Canada. These are national averages from the World Bank's 2025 price levels for household spending, rent included.

Compared with the US 92% of US prices: 8% less
Compared with Canada 102% of Canadian prices: 2% more

What your spending becomes in the United Kingdom

Each row takes a month's spending at home, all in, and shows what living the same way costs in the United Kingdom, in your money and in GBP.

At home, a monthSame life in the United KingdomIn GBPCompared with home
$3,000 in the US $2,770 £2,100 8% less
CA$4,000 in Canada CA$4,100 £2,230 2% more

Try your own numbers in the calculator

Visa income figures for the United Kingdom

None of the open remote-work, retirement or freelance routes to the United Kingdom states a monthly income figure we can compare. See every route to the United Kingdom.

The United Kingdom and other countries in Europe

What $3,000 a month in the US becomes in each country, cheapest first. The order is the same from Canada or the UK.

Country$3,000 in the US becomesPrice level against the US
Belgium $2,620 87%
Sweden $2,720 91%
Finland $2,720 91%
United Kingdom $2,770 92%
Norway $2,890 96%
Luxembourg $2,960 99%
Ireland $3,060 102%

Every country, cheapest first

Read these figures with care

  • National averages. Capital cities and towns popular with movers usually cost more than the national figure, rent most of all.
  • 2025 figures. Prices and exchange rates move. Treat this as a first sort, then price a real flat and a real weekly shop where you'd live.
  • The same life, not a cheaper one. The World Bank compares what the same basket of goods and services costs in each country at market exchange rates. Living differently there, for better or worse, changes the sum.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (PPP conversion factor for private consumption, and the official exchange rate), licensed CC BY 4.0. Data updated 2026-10-08. Visa figures from our routes table, checked against official sources. General information, not financial or immigration advice.