United Kingdom (GB)
The United Kingdom — comprising England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland — is a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy of 68 million people, and one of the world's leading economies, cultural powerhouses, and global cities.
Capital: London
Region: Europe
Language: English
Currency: GBP (£)
Cost of living: Expensive (index 78)
Emergency: 999
Premium
Cost of Living
Real prices in United Kingdom — 2026 data in GBP.
78
Cost of living index
(100 = NYC reference)
Above average cost. Budget carefully, especially for housing and groceries.
Rent
1-bedroom flat, central London £1,800–2,800
1-bedroom flat, outer London zones 2–4 £1,400–1,900
2-bedroom flat, central London £2,800–4,500
1-bedroom flat, Manchester city centre £900–1,400
1-bedroom flat, Edinburgh city centre £1,100–1,700
1-bedroom flat, Birmingham city centre £800–1,200
1-bedroom flat, Bristol city centre £1,000–1,500
1-bedroom flat, Leeds/Sheffield £750–1,100
Room in a shared house, London £800–1,400
Room in a shared house, outside London £450–800
Food & Groceries
Milk (2 pints) £1.10–1.50
Bread (medium white loaf) £1.00–2.00
Eggs (12 free-range) £2.50–4.00
Chicken breast (500g) £4.50–7.00
Cheddar cheese (400g) £2.80–5.00
Rice (1kg) £1.00–3.00
Pasta (500g) £0.75–2.00
Fresh tomatoes (500g) £0.90–2.00
Bananas (5 pack) £0.75–1.20
Weekly groceries for 1 person £40–70
Dining Out
Coffee (flat white / cappuccino) £3.50–5.00
Pint of beer (pub) £5.50–8.00 (London); £4.00–6.00 outside London
Glass of house wine (restaurant) £6–12
Meal deal (sandwich, crisps, drink) £3.99–5.00
Fish and chips (takeaway) £9–16
Lunch at a mid-range café/restaurant £12–22
Three-course dinner (mid-range restaurant) £40–70 per person
Fast food meal (McDonald's Big Mac meal) £7.00–9.50
Curry at Indian restaurant £15–25 per person
Transport
Single Tube journey (London, zones 1–2, contactless) £2.80
TfL monthly travel card (zones 1–2) £169.50
London to Manchester train (advance) £25–50
London to Manchester train (walk-up/flexible) £120–200
London to Edinburgh train (advance) £40–80
Monthly bus pass (outside London, typical city) £60–100
Petrol (per litre, unleaded) £1.40–1.55
Taxi, 5 km (London Uber) £12–20
Heathrow Express to central London £25 (single)
Utilities
Electricity (1-bed flat) £50–90
Gas (1-bed flat) £40–80
Combined energy (dual fuel, 2-bed house) £130–200
Water (monthly average, unmetered) £30–45
Broadband internet (standard fibre) £25–40
Mobile phone (SIM only, 20–50GB) £10–25
Council Tax (1-bed flat, typical Band B–C London) £120–180
TV Licence (annual — mandatory) £174.50 per year (£14.54/month)
Health & Insurance
NHS GP visit Free (registered patients)
NHS prescription (per item) £9.90 (standard charge; free if exempt)
NHS dental check-up (Band 1) £26.80
NHS dental fillings/treatment (Band 2) £73.50
NHS dental crown/bridge/dentures (Band 3) £319.10
Private GP appointment £80–200
Private specialist consultation £150–400
Optician eye test £25–50 (free on NHS for eligible groups)
Leisure
Cinema ticket (London) £12–18
Gym membership (budget chain — PureGym, The Gym) £20–35/month
Gym membership (mid-range) £50–80/month
Fitness class / yoga (per session) £12–25
West End theatre ticket £25–150+ (depends on show and seat)
Premier League football ticket £30–120+ (depends on club and match)
Netflix subscription £4.99–17.99/month
Amazon Prime £8.99/month
National Trust membership (annual) £72 individual; £126 joint
Childcare
Nursery / childminder (full-time, age 0–3) £1,100–2,000/month
Free childcare hours (3–4 year olds, qualifying) 15–30 hours/week free
State primary and secondary school Free
Independent school annual fees (prep, average) £15,000–30,000/year
Babysitter (per hour) £12–20
Cost of Living
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