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City Comparison

London is 18% more expensive

The Verdict

Living in London is 18% more expensive than Seattle.
If you move from London to Seattle, you will pay less for housing and less for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a $75,000 salary in London, you would need to earn about $61,500 in Seattle.

London Wins
0

of 6 categories

Tied
0

categories

Seattle Wins
6

of 6 categories

Category Breakdown

Compare costs across 6 key categories

Overall Cost
100
London
vs
82
Seattle
Seattle is 18 pts cheaper
Rent
100
London
vs
78
Seattle
Seattle is 22 pts cheaper
Groceries
100
London
vs
95
Seattle
Seattle is 5 pts cheaper
Restaurants
100
London
vs
92
Seattle
Seattle is 8 pts cheaper
Transport
100
London
vs
88
Seattle
Seattle is 12 pts cheaper
Utilities
100
London
vs
85
Seattle
Seattle is 15 pts cheaper

City Profiles

What makes each city unique

LondonUnited Kingdom
London is one of the world's most expensive cities, offering unparalleled career opportunities and a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Why people love London:

Global financial hubWorld-class transportDiverse cultureHigh salaries
Population
8,982,000
Avg. Salary
$3,800/mo
SeattleUnited States
Seattle offers high tech salaries with no state income tax in the Pacific Northwest.

Why people love Seattle:

No state income taxAmazon/Microsoft HQCoffee cultureOutdoor access
Population
737,015
Avg. Salary
$5,800/mo

Real Monthly Costs

Estimated costs based on NYC baseline prices

ExpenseLondonSeattleSavings
1-bed apartment (city center)$3,500$2,730$-770
Monthly groceries$450$428$-22
Dining out (10 meals)$350$322$-28
Public transport pass$130$114$-16
Utilities (electric, heating, water)$200$170$-30
Total Monthly$4,630$3,764$-866

* Estimates based on NYC = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.

Who Should Choose Which City?

Recommendations based on your priorities

Choose London if you...
  • Prioritize safety (score: 82/100)
Choose Seattle if you...
  • Want lower overall living costs (18% cheaper)
  • Are looking for more affordable housing
  • Want higher earning potential ($5,800/mo avg)
  • Have children (lower childcare costs)

Quality of Life & Safety

Beyond just costs - what matters for daily life

London
78

Quality of Life Score

Seattle
79

Quality of Life Score

London
82

Safety Score

Seattle
70

Safety Score

Salary Equivalence

How much you'd need in Seattle to match a London salary

Salary in LondonEquivalent in SeattleDifference
$50,000$41,000$9,000 less
$75,000$61,500$13,500 less
$100,000$82,000$18,000 less
$125,000$102,500$22,500 less
$150,000$123,000$27,000 less
$200,000$164,000$36,000 less

London vs Seattle: Summary

The overall cost of living differs by 18%. Seattle is the more affordable option.

Rent: London has a rent index of 100, while Seattle has 78.

Average Salaries: London: $3,800/month vs Seattle: $5,800/month (both in USD).

Out of 6 categories, London wins 0, while Seattle wins 6.

Compare more cities or calculate your US take-home pay.