What is the cost of living in London in 2018?

London is considered by many to be the greatest city in the world, but it’s no secret that it’s also one of the most expensive. However, the good news is that the cost of living in London has decreased; making 2018 the perfect time to make the capital city your new home.

Staff Writer ● Jan 25, 2018

The good news: Prices are dropping

Due to a weakening Pound, the cost of living in London is dropping, which is fantastic news for anyone thinking about making the move to the capital city. What’s more, the salaries and wages in London are substantially higher than anywhere else in the UK, so while you may be paying more for groceries and accommodation, keep in mind that you’ll also be earning more.

London vs Sydney

Sydney sits at number 32 on the Cost of Living Index 2018, whereas London sits at number 42. So, while London is an expensive city to live in, you could be doing a lot worse! Below is a comparison of these two cities’ living costs, so you can get an idea of what you’re going to be spending.

Accommodation (per month)

	London	Sydney
One bedroom flat, city centre	AUD 2,924.94	AUD 2,622.15
One bedroom flat, outside the city	AUD 2,095.29	AUD 1,923.65
Three bedrooms, city centre	AUD 5,540.08	AUD 4,618.14
Three bedrooms, outside the city	AUD 3,478.77	AUD 3,099.07

Food and drink

	London	Sydney
Pub meal	AUD 26.46	AUD 15.00
Restaurant meal for two	AUD 88.20	AUD 80.00
Bottle of wine in supermarket	AUD 14.11	AUD 17.00
12 eggs in a supermarket	AUD 3.76	AUD 4.43
Pint of beer	AUD 7.94	AUD 8.75

Transportation

	London	Sydney
One-way ticket on local transport	AUD 4.41	AUD 4.00
Monthly pass	AUD 232.85	AUD 173.91
One litre of fuel	AUD 2.12	AUD 1.34
Taxi fare, per kilometre	AUD 3.53	AUD 2.20

Lifestyle expenses

	London	Sydney
Movie ticket	AUD 21.17	AUD 20.00
Monthly gym membership	AUD 83.59	AUD 75.51
Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or similar)	AUD 112.39	AUD 99.84
Internet (60 mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL)	AUD 47.90	AUD 69.86

*All costs are averages and accurate as of January 2018.

Apply for your UK visa before the fees increase

If you’ve been thinking about applying for your UK visa, now is the time to do it! The Home Office revises and increases the UK visa fees every year on 6 April, which means you have about two months to apply before the fees increase. The increases can be anything from £2 to £200, so save yourself those extra Pounds for when you get to London by applying for your visa sooner rather than later.

Ready to call London home? Our Kickstart packages will help you get your life in the UK started. Give our team a call on +44 (0) 20 7759 7536 to find out how we can help.