United States vs United Kingdom — Full Cost of Living Comparison (2026)
Updated March 2026
United States has a cost of living index of 100.0 with average 1BR rent around $1,850/mo, while United Kingdom sits at 87.0 with rent near $1,750/mo. Below is the full side-by-side breakdown for digital nomads, expats and remote workers weighing a move.
| Metric | United States | United Kingdom | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mortgage Interest Rate | 7.10% | 5.20% | United Kingdom |
| Savings Account Interest Rate | 4.50% | 4.80% | United Kingdom |
| Credit Card Interest Rate (APR) | 22.8% | 24.5% | United States |
| Average Rent (1BR City Centre) | US$1,850/mo | US$1,750/mo | United Kingdom |
| Real Estate Price (per m²) | US$4,900/m² | US$8,200/m² | United States |
Summary
United States has a higher mortgage rate than United Kingdom at 7.10% vs 5.20%. Rental costs in United States average $1,850/month compared to $1,750 in United Kingdom, while the cost of living index sits at 100.0 versus 87.0. Overall, United Kingdom looks more favourable across the headline numbers.
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How we calculate this
Cost of living, rent, mortgage, savings and tax figures combine official sources (World Bank, central banks, national statistics offices) with crowdsourced price data, refreshed regularly. Full breakdown: read our methodology.
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