Cost of living · Europe · Eurostat HICP 2023
🇬🇧 Cost of living in United Kingdom
United Kingdom runs pricier than most of the EU-27 across rent, groceries and transport - see where the gap is widest and how far local income actually stretches.
- Cost index (EU-27=100)
- 109
- Rent index
- 115
- Median net income
- €25,500
- Cost-adjusted income
- €23,394
United Kingdom sits at 109 on the 0-200 scale shown above.
Key takeaways
- Overall cost of living is 9% above the EU-27 average (index 109, EU-27 = 100).
- Most expensive category: rent & housing at index 115.
- Cheapest category: healthcare at index 87.
- A typical income of €25,500 is worth about €23,394 in EU-average purchasing power.
Cost by category in United Kingdom
United Kingdom - price level by category (EU-27 = 100)
In United Kingdom, rent & housing is the most expensive category and healthcare the least.
What the United Kingdom cost-of-living data shows
United Kingdom's overall consumer price level is 9% above the EU-27 average. (How this index is built →)
Rent and housing lead the way in United Kingdom, the priciest category at index 115, ahead of healthcare at index 87. Because housing is typically the single largest line in a household budget, that pulls overall affordability down more than an equally high index in a smaller category would.
That price gap trims real purchasing power here: because prices run above the EU average, the headline income of €25,500 is worth closer to €23,394 once translated into EU-27-average terms.
Cities in United Kingdom
National averages hide the big-city premium. See real monthly rent, groceries and transit costs for United Kingdom's cities.
Countries with a similar cost of living
Frequently asked questions
Is United Kingdom expensive to live in?▼
United Kingdom's overall cost of living is 9% above the EU-27 average (index 109). Rent & housing is the priciest category and healthcare the cheapest.
What does it cost to rent in United Kingdom?▼
United Kingdom's rent and housing price index is 115, above the EU norm.
How does income compare to costs in United Kingdom?▼
That price gap trims real purchasing power here: because prices run above the EU average, the headline income of €25,500 is worth closer to €23,394 once translated into EU-27-average terms.
Source: Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Eurostat, Harmonised Index of Consumer Prices (HICP) and comparative price levels Price-level indices, EU-27 = 100, 2023. Income: Eurostat/OECD median equivalised net income.
Important: these figures are official Eurostat averages for general information and comparison, they are not personal financial advice. Your own cost of living depends on your city, housing and lifestyle, so treat this as a starting point and check current local prices before making any relocation or budget decision.
Read our methodology - how these indices are sourced and computed.