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Manchester vs London

Manchester runs about 63% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,559 USD a month.

Manchester Town Hall seen from Lloyd Street, Manchester, England, UK.
Manchester
$2,491/month · United Kingdom
Mark Andrew. · CC BY 2.0
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
Manchester monthly
$2,491
Index 39 (NYC = 100)
London monthly
$4,050
Index 63 (NYC = 100)
Difference
+63%
London relative to Manchester
Rent gap
$1,250
London costs more for a central 1-bed
By category

Where the gap actually is

ManchesterLondon
  • Housing
    Housing: Manchester $1,350, London $2,600. Cheaper in Manchester.
  • Food
    Food: Manchester $529, London $617. Cheaper in Manchester.
  • Transport
    Transport: Manchester $161, London $282. Cheaper in Manchester.
  • Utilities
    Utilities: Manchester $224, London $267. Cheaper in Manchester.
  • Healthcare
    Healthcare: Manchester $6.51, London $8.03. Cheaper in Manchester.
  • Lifestyle
    Lifestyle: Manchester $137, London $169. Cheaper in Manchester.
  • Other
    Other: Manchester $85, London $107. Cheaper in Manchester.
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

MetricManchesterLondon
Cost
Total monthly cost2,491 USD✓4,050 USD
Cost index (New York = 100)39✓63
Housing1,350 USD✓2,600 USD
Utilities224 USD✓267 USD
Food529 USD✓617 USD
Transport161 USD✓282 USD
Healthcare7 USD✓8 USD
Lifestyle137 USD✓169 USD
Income & tax
Take-home on 100,000 USD/yr5,953 USD5,953 USD
Effective tax + social rate28.6%28.6%
Left over each month3,461 USD✓1,902 USD
Average local net salary2,600 USD3,600 USD✓
Housing
1-bed rent, city centre1,350 USD✓2,600 USD
3-bed rent, city centre2,400 USD✓5,200 USD
Buy price per m², centre4,200 USD✓15,000 USD
Quality of life
Safety58/10066/100✓
Healthcare80/10084/100✓
Air quality64/100✓60/100
Public transport74/10092/100✓
Walkability80/10090/100✓
English proficiency100/100100/100
Nightlife86/10094/100✓
Family friendliness72/10072/100
Median broadband85 Mbps90 Mbps✓
Climate
Average temperature10°C✓12°C
Summer high21°C✓23°C
Winter low2°C3°C✓
Sunshine hours per year1,400 h1,480 h✓
Annual rainfall830 mm600 mm✓
Practicalities
Remote-work visaNoNo
Beach access75 min✓90 min
CurrencyGBPGBP
Time zoneEurope/LondonEurope/London

Manchester runs about 63% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,559 USD a month.

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Cost of living in ManchesterCost of living in LondonConvert a salary between themFlip the comparison
Manchester vs RomeManchester vs ParisManchester vs Barcelona
FAQ

Frequently asked

Is Manchester or London cheaper?

Manchester runs about 63% cheaper than London for this household, a difference of 1,559 USD a month.

What salary do you need in London compared with Manchester?

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

Which has better quality of life, Manchester or London?

Manchester scores 58/100 on safety and 80/100 on healthcare; London scores 66 and 84. Manchester averages 10°C against 12°C in London.