UK Cost of Living Comparison
Compare cost of living between UK cities. See rent, food, transport differences and equivalent salary.
Last updated: April 2026 · Source: ONS — Regional accounts
Manchester is 39% cheaper than London
-£1,010.00/month
London
Rent: £1,800.00
Food: £400.00
Transport: £170.00
Utilities: £200.00
£2,570.00/month
Manchester
Rent: £1,000.00
Food: £320.00
Transport: £80.00
Utilities: £160.00
£1,560.00/month
To maintain the same lifestyle in Manchester, you'd need
£27,692.31/year
Disclaimer
This calculator is provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered as financial or tax advice. All calculations are performed locally in your browser — no personal data is collected or sent to our servers. Rates and thresholds are sourced from HMRC and GOV.UK and are updated for the current tax year. Always verify results with HMRC or consult a qualified professional before making financial decisions.
How It Works
Comparing living costs between UK cities helps with relocation decisions, salary negotiations and retirement planning. The biggest differences are in housing — renting in London can cost two to three times more than equivalent accommodation in cities like Liverpool, Sheffield or Newcastle.
This calculator compares monthly costs across key categories: housing, council tax, transport, groceries and utilities. It uses ONS expenditure data and regional indices to show the percentage difference between two chosen cities for each category and overall.
Keep in mind that salaries also vary by region. A lower cost of living does not automatically mean a better standard of living if wages are proportionally lower. The calculator shows the equivalent salary you would need in your target city to maintain the same purchasing power.
Example: London vs Manchester
- Rent (1-bed): London £1,600 vs Manchester £750 — 53% cheaper
- Council tax (Band D): London £1,674/yr vs Manchester £1,588/yr — 5% cheaper
- Monthly transport: London £160 vs Manchester £70 — 56% cheaper
- Overall cost of living: Manchester approx. 35–40% cheaper than London
- A £50,000 London salary is equivalent to approx. £32,000 in Manchester
Source: ONS — Regional accounts
Frequently Asked Questions
- What does the UK Cost of Living Comparison do?
- Compare cost of living between UK cities. See rent, food, transport differences and equivalent salary. All calculations are performed in your browser using official UK rates and thresholds.
- Are visa fees up to date?
- This calculator uses the current UK visa and immigration fees as published by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI). Fees are reviewed periodically — check GOV.UK for the very latest amounts.
- Does this include the Immigration Health Surcharge?
- Yes. The Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) is included in the total cost calculation where applicable. The current IHS rate is £1,035 per year for most visa categories.