City Comparison

London vs Raleigh

Cost of Living Comparison · 2026

London

United Kingdom
115
Above Average
$695,000
Median Home
$2,400/mo
Median Rent
$55,000
Median Income

Raleigh

North Carolina
102
Average
$370,000
Median Home
$1,500/mo
Median Rent
$67,266
Median Income

The Verdict

12.7%

The cost gap between these cities is 12.7%, with Raleigh being the more affordable option. A $75,000 income in London has equivalent purchasing power to $66,522 in Raleigh.

Category-by-Category Breakdown

Index values · National average = 100 · Lower is more affordable

Housing
162
London
107
Raleigh
Groceries
92
London
100
Raleigh
Utilities
112
London
94
Raleigh
Transportation
125
London
100
Raleigh
Healthcare
78
London
108
Raleigh

Salary Equivalence

A $75,000 salary in London has the same purchasing power as $66,522 in Raleigh.

Conversely, $75,000 in Raleigh equals $84,559 in London.

Living in London vs Raleigh

Housing Costs

London's housing index of 162 is higher Raleigh's 107, translating to median home prices of $695,000 vs $370,000. The $325,000 difference in home prices means roughly $21,120 per year in additional mortgage costs at current rates. Renters face a similar gap: $2,400/mo in London compared to $1,500/mo in Raleigh, a monthly difference of $900.

Grocery & Food Costs

Grocery expenses index at 92 in London and 100 in Raleigh. A household spending the national average of $475/month on groceries would pay approximately $437/month in London vs $475/month in Raleigh. London offers a meaningful advantage on everyday food costs, saving roughly $456/year.

Utility Expenses

Utility costs — electricity, gas, water, internet — index at 112 in London and 94 in Raleigh. Monthly utility bills average approximately $448 in London vs $376 in Raleigh. Climate differences between the two cities drive much of this gap, with heating and cooling costs varying substantially by region.

Healthcare

Healthcare costs index at 78 in London and 108 in Raleigh. This encompasses insurance premiums, doctor visit copays, dental care, and prescription costs. The 30-point gap reflects real differences in provider costs, insurance market competition, and regional healthcare infrastructure.

Income & Purchasing Power

Median household income is $55,000 in London and $67,266 in Raleigh. After adjusting for local costs, purchasing-power-equivalent incomes are approximately $47,826 and $65,947 respectively. Raleigh residents come out ahead in real purchasing power.

Relocation Considerations

Under the standard 28% rule, a median-income household can allocate $1,283/month to housing in London vs $1,570/month in Raleigh. In London, median rent of $2,400/mo exceeds this threshold, suggesting renters may feel stretched. In Raleigh, median rent of $1,500/mo remains manageable. The biggest category-level difference between these two cities is Housing, where the gap is 55 index points — focus your budget analysis there.

Frequently Asked Questions

Raleigh is 12.7% more affordable overall with an index of 102 vs 115.
A $75,000 salary in London has equivalent purchasing power to approximately $66,522 in Raleigh, based on the cost of living difference.
London's housing index is 162 with median homes at $695,000, while Raleigh's is 107 with median homes at $370,000.

Moving & Relocation Resources

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