The cost of housing
While workers in London have the highest average earnings, bear in mind that it’s also the most expensive city in the UK. Rent and property prices are higher here than anywhere else in the UK. So, how much do you need to earn to live in London? It all depends on how close to the centre you are and the size of the property.
The average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment close to the centre of London is over £1,600 a month, while a family home could set you back around £3,000 a month. As expected, the price drops if you move further out. Renting a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre typically costs around £1,200 a month, with a family home costing in the region of £1,900 per month.
So, how do these prices compare to other major cities in the UK? In Manchester, a one-bedroom city centre apartment costs around £849 to rent a month. This falls to £828 in Edinburgh and £650 in Cardiff. Meanwhile, a one-bedroom apartment outside of Manchester city centre will set you back £589 a month, compared with £664 a month in Edinburgh and £483 a month in Cardiff.
