🇬🇧 London vs 🇺🇸 New York

United Kingdom vs United States — relocation comparison

58
Livability Score
🇬🇧 London
United Kingdom
Full profile →
58
Livability Score
🇺🇸 New York
United States
Full profile →
Too close to call. London has a slight edge, but New York might suit you better depending on your priorities.
London
Metric
New York
$2852/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$4113/mo
1.1 homicides/100k
🔒
Safety
5.8 homicides/100k
22°C
☀️
Summer high
28°C
4°C
❄️
Winter low
-1°C
87 Mbps
Internet speed
162 Mbps
8.3 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
7.8 / 10
Very High (96/100)
🗣️
English ease
Very High (100/100)
$62k
💼
GDP per capita
$86k
3.3%
📈
Inflation
2.9%
58 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
58 / 100
92/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
83/100 — Decent
92/100
🗽
Freedom House
80/100
5 years
📋
Time to PR
5 years

Settler Essentials

improving
Democracy trend
declining
hub
Startup ecosystem
hub
Moderate
EU visa
Moderate

London vs New York: The Short Version

  • Rent is 44% cheaper in London ($2852/mo vs $4113/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in New York (28°C vs 22°C).
  • London is safer by homicide rate (1.1 vs 5.8 per 100k).
  • English is easier to get by in New York (100/100 vs 96/100 English proficiency).

London vs New York — Common Questions

Is London cheaper than New York?

London is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $2852/month in London vs $4113/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, London or New York?

London is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. London has a rate of 1.07 per 100,000 and New York has 5.80 per 100,000.

Should I move to London or New York?

Too close to call. London has a slight edge, but New York might suit you better depending on your priorities. See the full comparison above for rent, safety, internet speed, climate, and democracy scores to decide which city fits your priorities.

Is it easier to get residency in London or New York?

London: UK Skilled Worker Visa (complex process, Up to 5 years). New York: US Employment-Based Green Card (complex process, Permanent residence). See each city's profile page for full requirements.

Which has better weather, London or New York?

New York is warmer in summer (28°C vs 22°C). London has milder summers, which suits those who prefer cooler weather. Climate preference is personal — use the weather section above to compare seasons.

Can I live in London or New York without speaking the local language?

English is easier to get by in New York (EF EPI score: 100/100) than in London (96/100). In New York, daily life and professional settings often work in English. In London, learning some of the local language will make long-term settlement significantly smoother.

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