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Berlin vs London

Berlin runs about 35% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,043 USD a month.

Exterior of Fotografiska Berlin on Oranienburger Straße showing the front facade of the building. ©PionStudio
Berlin
$3,008/month · Germany
Shaysd · CC BY-SA 4.0
Palace of Westminster, Big Ben, and Westminster Bridge as seen from the south bank of the River Thames.
London
$4,050/month · United Kingdom
Terry Ott from Washington, DC Metro Area, United States of America · CC BY 2.0
Berlin monthly
$3,008
Index 47 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+35%
London relative to Berlin
Rent gap
$1,150
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

BerlinLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Berlin $1,450, London $2,600. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Food
    Food: Berlin $558, London $617. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Transport
    Transport: Berlin $195, London $282. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Berlin $242, London $267. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Berlin $327, London $8.03. Cheaper in London.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Berlin $120, London $169. Cheaper in Berlin.
  • Other
    Other: Berlin $115, London $107. Cheaper in London.
Each row is one category priced in both cities for the same household. The bar is the gap; exact figures are in the table below.
Interactive — adjust the household

Full comparison

MetricBerlinLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost3,008 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)47✓63
Housing1,450 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities242 USD✓267 USD
Food558 USD✓617 USD
Transport195 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare327 USD8 USD✓
Lifestyle120 USD✓169 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr4,965 USD5,953 USD✓
Effective tax + social rate40.4%28.6%✓
Left over each month1,958 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary2,700 USD3,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,450 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,700 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre7,800 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety68/100✓66/100
Healthcare84/10084/100
Air quality70/100✓60/100
Public transport90/10092/100✓
Walkability88/10090/100✓
English proficiency78/100100/100✓
Nightlife94/10094/100
Family friendliness78/100✓72/100
Median broadband140 Mbps✓90 Mbps
Climate
Average temperature11°C✓12°C
Summer high25°C23°C✓
Winter low-1°C3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,630 h✓1,480 h
Annual rainfall570 mm✓600 mm
Practicalities
Remote-work visaYes✓No
Beach accessNone nearby90 min✓
CurrencyEURGBP
Time zoneEurope/BerlinEurope/London

Berlin runs about 35% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,043 USD a month.

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Cost of living in BerlinCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
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FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Berlin or London cheaper?

Berlin runs about 35% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,043 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Berlin?

On a $100,000 gross salary you would take home $4,965 a month in Berlin and $5,953 in London, before local costs. Use the salary converter for an exact equivalent.

Which has better quality of life, Berlin or London?

Berlin scores 68/100 on safety and 84/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Berlin averages 11°C against 12°C in London.