Remarkable! Cost of living in Manchester 30% lower than London (rent is 50% cheaper)

We all know the cost of property is much cheaper in Manchester than London. But did you know the cost of living is much lower in Manchester, too?

Expatistan is a website which compares prices in cities all over the world. People who live in those cities input the cost of a variety of products and services such as food, clothing, transport, and entertainment, so the price comparisons are based on a huge amount of data.

According to the latest information, the cost of living in Manchester is a massive 30% cheaper than London.

Let’s compare the price of a basket of goods and services across a number of different categories.

Housing

This is the category in which Manchester has a huge price advantage over London. The rent on a 900 sq ft furnished flat is 51% cheaper in Manchester and the cost of utilities for a small flat is 32% cheaper. Expatistan doesn’t include the cost of buying a house or flat, but a quick look at one of the property websites suggests that prices are around 60% cheaper in Manchester (picture courtesy Jennie Platt Estates & Lettings).

Food

Food is 12% cheaper in Manchester. A pound of boneless chicken breast is 23% cheaper, eggs are 32% cheaper, and a bottle of good red wine is 23% cheaper.

Clothes

Trainers are 8% cheaper in Manchester, a summer dress from a high street store is 10% cheaper, and a pair of men’s leather shoes is 35% cheaper.

Transport

The cost of transport is 28% cheaper in Manchester. A monthly travel pass is 40% cheaper.

Personal Care

A gent’s haircut is 46% cheaper in Manchester, shampoo is 39% cheaper, and a tube of toothpaste is 42% cheaper so there’s really no excuse for Mancunians not to look their best (picture courtesy Barber Barber).

Entertainment

The cost of entertainment is 30% cheaper in Manchester. Gym membership is 57% cheaper, cinema tickets are 9% cheaper, and theatre tickets are a massive 51% cheaper. Oh, and cocktails are 28% cheaper. (Photo by Johan Persson)

Prices are constantly being updated on the website so they may have changed by the time you read this, but there’s clearly a big difference.

Even taking into account the fact that, according to Monster, the average wage in London is 23% higher than Manchester (£34,735 compared to £26,667 in Manchester), we’ve still got more money in our pockets than Londoners.

London may get 37% more sunshine than Manchester and Manchester may get 55% more rain than London (according to Met Office statistics), but Manchester is not just a cheaper place to do business, it’s clearly a cheaper place to live. And most importantly, we reckon it’s 50% more fabulous than London.