Compare the cost of living between UK cities. See how your salary compares across London, Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Edinburgh and other major UK cities.
These indices use London = 100 as the baseline. A city with index 68 is approximately 32% cheaper than London overall.
| City | Index (London=100) | Approx. 1-bed rent/mo | % cheaper than London |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | 100 | £2,200 | — |
| Bristol | 80 | £1,500 | 20% cheaper |
| Edinburgh | 75 | £1,400 | 25% cheaper |
| Birmingham | 70 | £1,100 | 30% cheaper |
| Leeds | 69 | £1,050 | 31% cheaper |
| Manchester | 68 | £1,100 | 32% cheaper |
| Glasgow | 66 | £950 | 34% cheaper |
| Cardiff | 65 | £950 | 35% cheaper |
| Liverpool | 65 | £900 | 35% cheaper |
| Newcastle | 62 | £850 | 38% cheaper |
Yes, significantly. London's overall cost of living index is 100 (the benchmark), while Manchester sits around 68 — meaning Manchester is approximately 32% cheaper overall. The biggest difference is housing: a one-bedroom flat in London averages £2,200/month vs £1,100 in Manchester. Food, transport, and entertainment are also noticeably cheaper in Manchester.
To maintain the same standard of living when moving from Manchester (index 68) to London (index 100), you need a salary approximately 47% higher in London. For example, a £35,000 salary in Manchester is equivalent to roughly £51,500 in London. Many people find this gap is not fully covered by London weighting allowances.
The cheapest major UK cities in 2026 are Newcastle (index 62), Cardiff (65), Liverpool (65), Glasgow (66), and Leeds (69). These cities offer significantly lower housing costs, typically 50–70% cheaper than London, while still providing good employment opportunities.
When negotiating salary for a role in a different city, use the cost of living ratio to calculate the equivalent salary. If you earn £45,000 in London and are moving to Edinburgh (index 75), the equivalent salary is £45,000 × 75/100 = £33,750. You can use this in negotiations to explain why a lower nominal salary still represents fair real-terms compensation.
Often yes. A £60,000 London salary with £2,200/month rent leaves you less disposable income than a £42,000 Edinburgh salary with £1,100/month rent. The key is comparing take-home pay minus essential costs rather than gross salary. Remote working has made this calculation even more favourable for those who can retain London wages while living in cheaper cities.