United Kingdom🇬🇧

At a Glance

How United Kingdom compares across key indices

Quality of Life179Safety52Healthcare73Affordability66Climate88Clean Air41

Cost of Living

66 vs NYC

100 = NYC

Safety Index

52/100

Healthcare

73/100

Quality of Life

179/200

Climate

88/100

Cost of Living

How far your money goes in United Kingdom

Cost of Living

66

100 = NYC baseline

Rent Index

29

100 = NYC rent

Groceries

62

100 = NYC groceries

Restaurant Prices

71

100 = NYC dining

Monthly costs range from $2,107 in Aberdeen to $4,514 in London

City Costs Comparison

Aberdeen

Cheapest

$2,107/mo

Food$229

Sheffield

$2,220/mo

Food$216

Nottingham

$2,233/mo

Food$198

Belfast

$2,288/mo

Food$235

York

$2,305/mo

Food$263

Newcastle upon Tyne

$2,316/mo

Food$248

Liverpool

$2,321/mo

Food$237

Bournemouth

$2,386/mo

Food$240

See all 24 cities below

Safety & Crime

Moderate Risk

How safe residents feel in United Kingdom — based on surveys of people living there

Safety Index

52/100

Crime Index

48/100

Lower is better

Crime Trend

66/100

Crime perceived as increasing

Walking Safety

Daytime67
Nighttime42

25 point drop from day to night

Problem Severity

Drug-related crime
High64
Property crimes
Moderate55
Violent crimes
Moderate46
Corruption & bribery
Low34

0 = no problem, 100 = severe problem

What Residents Worry About

Being insulted or harassed
Moderate51
Being physically attacked
Moderate47
Being mugged or robbed
Moderate46
Things stolen from car
Low45
Home broken into
Low44
Car stolen
Low38
Targeted for skin/ethnicity/religion
Low34

Based on 8,364 survey responses. 0 = not worried, 100 = very worried.

Cities in United Kingdom

United Kingdom has 25 cities with Numbeo data. Monthly costs for a single person range from $2,107 in Aberdeen to $4,514 in London. Edinburgh leads on safety, scoring 70/100. Edinburgh ranks highest for quality of life at 199/200.

💸Most Affordable

Aberdeen

$2,107/mo

Safest

Edinburgh

70/100

Best Quality of Life

Edinburgh

199/200

Best Healthcare

Liverpool

79/100

CityMonthly CostSafetyQuality of LifeHealthcarePollution
Aberdeen$2,10763/100———
Sheffield$2,22057/100———
Nottingham$2,23348/100———
Belfast$2,28852/100183/20071/10026
York$2,305————
Newcastle upon Tyne$2,31660/100197/20077/10037
Liverpool$2,32153/100196/20079/10030
Bournemouth$2,386————
Cardiff$2,41160/100———
Glasgow$2,42355/100195/20078/10033
Coventry$2,43638/100———
Leeds$2,43655/100181/20079/10045
Birmingham$2,53236/100171/20071/10051
Southampton$2,673————
Milton Keynes$2,728————
Manchester$2,77344/100162/20075/10053
Edinburgh$2,79970/100199/20076/10028
Reading$2,801————
Brighton$3,06361/100———
Bristol$3,07057/100175/20073/10048
Guildford$3,113————
Cambridge$3,14260/100184/20072/10036
Oxford$3,398————
London$4,51445/100146/20070/10058
Bradford—42/100———

Data from Numbeo. Monthly cost estimates are for a single person including rent. Pollution: lower score = cleaner air. Click column headers to sort.

Compare Cities Side by Side

Detailed comparison of cost of living, safety, and quality of life

Healthcare

Healthcare system overview for United Kingdom

Healthcare Index

73/100

Quality Breakdown

Modern Equipment81/100
Friendliness & Courtesy77/100
Staff Skill & Competency72/100
Accuracy & Completeness70/100
Speed of Service59/100
Responsiveness & Waitlist48/100
Cost Satisfaction83/100

How satisfied residents are with healthcare costs relative to quality

Based on 1,847 survey responses

Insurance Coverage

Public
56.7%
None
31.3%
Employer Sponsored
6.4%
Private
5.6%
Healthcare73Safety52Quality of Life179
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Environment

Moderate

Air quality, water, and environmental conditions in United Kingdom

Pollution Index

41/100

Lower is better

Environmental Quality

Drinking Water Quality75/100
Green Spaces & Parks75/100
Comfortable to Spend Time70/100
Air Quality63/100
Garbage Disposal60/100
Clean & Tidy53/100

Concerns

Noise & Light Pollution46/100
Water Pollution31/100

0 = no concern, 100 = severe concern

Based on 1,924 survey responses. Perception scores are 0–100 where higher is better unless noted.

Transport & Commute

How people get around in United Kingdom

Average One-Way Commute

34minutes

Average

Traffic Index

131

Moderate congestion

Inefficiency

156

Time wasted in traffic

CO2 Emissions

4.0kg/trip

How People Commute

Car42.1%
Walking18.9%
Bus/Trolleybus10.9%
Train/Metro10.8%
Bicycle9.3%
Working from Home6.0%
Motorcycle1.2%
Tram/Streetcar0.7%

Based on 1,316 survey responses.

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about living in United Kingdom, answered with data

What is the cost of living in United Kingdom?

United Kingdom has a cost of living index of 66 relative to New York City (100). It is comparable in cost to most US cities. Monthly costs for a single person start around $2,107 in Aberdeen and reach $4,514 in London.

What is the cheapest city in United Kingdom for expats?

Aberdeen is the most affordable city in United Kingdom with Numbeo data, with estimated monthly costs of $2,107 for a single person including rent. Sheffield is the next most affordable at $2,220/mo.

Is United Kingdom safe for expats?

United Kingdom has a safety index of 52/100, making it moderately safe for expats and travellers. Among cities with data, Edinburgh scores highest on safety at 70/100.

What is the best city in United Kingdom for expats and digital nomads?

Edinburgh ranks highest for quality of life in United Kingdom, scoring 199/200 on Numbeo's quality of life index. Monthly costs there run around $2,799/mo for a single person. For budget-conscious expats, Aberdeen offers the lowest monthly costs at $2,107/mo.

How good is healthcare in United Kingdom?

United Kingdom scores 73/100 on Numbeo's healthcare index, making it good by global standards. This index reflects the overall quality of the healthcare system, medical staff, and facilities.

Is United Kingdom cheaper than the United States?

Yes. United Kingdom's cost of living is roughly 34% lower than New York City and generally cheaper than most major US cities. Rent specifically is around 71% cheaper. This makes it a popular destination for remote workers looking to stretch their dollar.

Before You Go

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