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Cost of Living: London vs Los Angeles (2026)

United Kingdom vs United States — relocation comparison

Your passport:
61
Livability Score
🇬🇧 London
United Kingdom
Full profile
56
Livability Score
🇺🇸 Los Angeles
United States
Full profile
London
Los Angeles
$3000/mo
Rent
$2839/mo
61/100
Livability
56/100
82/100
Safety
52/100
82/100
Healthcare
79/100
5 yr
PR path
10 yr
87 Mbps
Internet
176 Mbps
Sole Trader
Freelance setup

Wise ✓ · Wise ✓

Self-employed / Sole Proprietor

Sourced from Numbeo · Updated April 2026

TL;DRUnited Kingdom gets you to permanent residency 5 years faster (5 vs 10 years). London is safer — homicide rate 1.1 vs 7.0 per 100k. You can get by in English in both — your Duolingo streak can wait.
London edges ahead 61 to 56. Los Angeles isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you.
Household
London
Metric
Los Angeles
$3000/mo
🏠
Rent (1BR centre)
$2839/mo
$1159/mo
🛒
Living costs (no rent)
$983/mo
$9,238
🧳
Cost to land
$9,290
1.1 / 100k
🔒
Homicides
7.0 / 100k
56 / 100
🚨
Crime perception
lower is better
54 / 100
22°C
☀️
Summer high
28°C
4°C
❄️
Winter low
9°C
87 Mbps
Internet speed
176 Mbps
9.5 μg/m³
🌬️
Air quality (PM2.5)
23.7 μg/m³
8.3 / 10
🗳️
Democracy
7.8 / 10
100/100
🗣️
Street English
100/100
$62k
💼
GDP per capita
$86k
3.3% · Boringly steady
📈
Inflation
2.9% · Boringly steady
61 / 100
🏅
Livability Score
56 / 100
92/100 — Reliable
Grid reliability
83/100 — Mostly stable
92/100
🗽
Freedom House
80/100
5 years
📋
Time to PR
10 years

Sources: Numbeo · UNODC · Ookla · WHO · EIU · World Bank · Freedom House · Updated April 2026

💰
Cost of Living
Los Angeles
$162/mo cheaper on rent alone
🔒
Safety
London
1.1 homicides per 100k
🗳️
Democracy
London
8.3/10 EIU index
☀️
Weather
22°C vs 28°C summers
🗣️
English
Los Angeles
higher proficiency score
📋
Residency
London
PR in 5 years

Settler Essentials

stable
Democracy trend
stable
improving
Inflation trend
improving
fintechaibiotechcreative-tech
Industries
entertainmenttechfashionbiotech
hub
Startup ecosystem
hub
92/100
Grid reliability
83/100
5 yrs
Time to PR
10 yrs
Moderate
🇺🇸 Your visa
Easy
Moderate
EU visa
Moderate
Complex
RU visa
Suspended
Moderate
UA visa
Moderate
Partner can work immediately
Spouse works
⚠️ Partner work rights are very limited

Visa stamps:Easy <90 daysModerate 3–6 moComplex 6+ mo

Sources: EIU · Freedom House · Startup Genome · IEA · official immigration portals

Reproductive Rights

Because your body shouldn't need a visa too

Broad social grounds
Abortion access
On request
24 wk
Gestational limit

Requires two doctors' approval under Abortion Act 1967, but broadly available up to 24 weeks.

Post-Dobbs (2022): varies dramatically by state. Fully banned in ~14 states, protected in ~20 states.

Source: Center for Reproductive Rights

The Short Version

  • Rent is 5% cheaper in Los Angeles ($2839/mo vs $3000/mo for a 1BR city centre).
  • Summers are noticeably warmer in Los Angeles (28°C vs 22°C).
  • London is safer by homicide rate (1.1 vs 7.0 per 100k).

London vs Los Angeles — Common Questions

Is London cheaper than Los Angeles?

Los Angeles is cheaper. A 1-bedroom apartment in city centre costs around $2839/month in Los Angeles vs $3000/month in the other city (Numbeo data).

Which is safer, London or Los Angeles?

London is statistically safer based on UNODC homicide data. London has a rate of 1.07 per 100,000 and Los Angeles has 7.00 per 100,000.

Should I move to London or Los Angeles?

London edges ahead 61 to 56. Los Angeles isn't far behind — it depends what matters to you. 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 Los Angeles?

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

Which has better weather, London or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles 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.

What's the cost of rent in London vs Los Angeles?

A 1-bedroom in the centre: $2839/month in Los Angeles, $3000/month in London (Numbeo). That's 5% cheaper rent in Los Angeles.

Plot twist: other matchups exist

Maybe the real city was the comparisons we made along the way.

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