What Salary Do You Need to Live Comfortably in London?

[@teodorghiorghita9534]

It would have been a great video, if only was well documented. All the prices are as if the video was made at least 18 months ago, except maybe for groceries. I pay £1800 for rent, in zone 3, and that's just because I got a discount for staying in the same place for 7 years. The usual rent in my area is at around £2000, or even higher. Council tax is £120/pcm. The bills are over £300 in total. Heating alone this month is an eye-watering £116, electricity £79, phone £46 (for a sim-only plan), internet £35 (only because I changed the provider, Virgin was charging £64 last year for an internet-only plan). Then add water bill every once in a while, and the TV licence tax. Netflix was probably never £10.99, and now it is £17.99. I don't buy my groceries at M&S or Waitrose, and I still spend over £350 every month (for one person!). I think I've never been below £300, not even back in 2017. A pint almost anywhere in zone 1 annd 2 is well above £6, sometimes above £7. Only close to my place in zone 3 I had recently 2 pints at £5.85 a piece. And the whole calculation doesn't even take into account things like toiletries or clothing and footwear, not to mention that every once in a while you have to change a lightbulb, or you need to buy e.g. a new coffee machine. What about holidays, let's say once a year? My salary was until recently £65K, and I realised that I started to literally spend 100% of my income. That's why I decided that it's time to leave London, and go back home, where I can have a decent life for less than €2000 per month, which is totally something I can make.

[@Farol-ni4wh]

Thank you for your comment Teodor. Most of the prices mentioned in the video are based on averages that I researched online back in January for a single person living alone. Just to clarify on a few of your points: - While rent might be that high in your area of zone 3, that's not the case for the boroughs that I mention in the video. I've found plenty of 1 bedroom flats going for £1,600 or even lower on Zoopla. - Like I said in the video, council tax is a tricky one as it varies from borough to borough and flat to flat but generally, single people pay between £100 and £150. - All utilities mentioned were based on averages from numbeo.com, including phone and internet. - There are 3 Netflix plans available at the moment. The one mentioned in the video is the standard plan (ideal for people living alone) and does cost £10.99. - As for groceries, this is another tricky one that depends on lifestyle, like how much you eat, what your diet is, whether you buy mostly frozen or mostly fresh. But it is doable for 1 person to spend £200 a month at M&S or Waitrose. - As for all the other things you mention like changing a lightbulb, getting a new coffee machine, going on holiday, etc would fall under the 20% savings section of the budget. I kept these kind of things in mind which is why I added it in. It sucks how expensive London has gotten in recent years and I don't blame you for wanting to leave! I understand that not everyone has the same needs or lifestyle which is why I discuss 2 different salaries in the video, so that people can decide for themselves where they would fall inbetween those 2 salaries. Again, I appreciate the feedback but just know that I tried my best in my research to get the most accurate numbers possible even though some people might end up spending more or less. 🙂

[@wintersnowowen2254]

I live in zone 2 and pay £1,600 for a 1 bedroom apartment in a complex with a concierge. Your rent for zone 3 is crazy.

[@alis_volat]

@@wintersnowowen2254 Would you mind sharing the name of the area? Sounds like a very reasonable price, I might need to check for my next rent. Cheers!

[@wintersnowowen2254]

@@alis_volat near Canada Water. Though rents are now around £1,800. I wouldn’t come to London unless I was earning £60,000+

[@azp267]

​@@wintersnowowen2254That's a crazy amount ! I'm at max 55k/year (depending of how much I decide to work freelance after my main job) and I live in zone 2 (Kentish Town), currently in a studio but just bought a 1 bed flat next Highbury&Islington (with terrace) and still put minimum £1000 in saving/month. People really need classes on how to manage their money.

[@TheShlongman]

Didn’t include national insurance or student loan! Combined they add nearly another 10-20% marginal tax rate depending on total salary

[@jsinferno7134]

He did add loans

[@YanQiao-u8y]

brilliant, just one missing part - clothing ? we need something to cover ourselves up while running around taking buses

[@pani777]

shoplifting mate

[@YanQiao-u8y]

@@pani777 yay - seems to be the only option

[@wulfsorenson8859]

Lmao I was paying £1560pcm for a one bed flat in Notting Hill prior to the lockdown. Same in Pimlico..The lockdowns, mass migration and overseas investors made the rents go completely insane.

[@MrDrepanon]

the lack of rent control sent the market insane

[@BIG2hats]

@@MrDrepanonit’s not even a rent control issue, the interest rates shooting up meant most lamdlords aren’t actually losing money at the moment, even with the price increases

[@Minimal444]

Rent prices should have went up. London had one of the lowest rental yields in Europe before. Now it is around 5%, which is all around average, even still slightly below average. And its inflation, the value of money went down, because governments printed money to bail out companies from bankrupting during lockdown and gave it to regular people too, hence every pound became less valuable, hence the prices went up on everything, not just rents.

[@haich_9085]

It's migration. Net 2 million people entered Britain since 2020. We built 385k houses since.

[@anythingbut...]

I actually live in London as a single person, you can call it in zone 2. I am lucky to own a flat and my mortgage is nowhere near the creazy rent prices now. You need MINIMUM 50k to live in London as a singleton in your own place if you have a mortgage (more if you pay rent). That's without any savings and vacations. You do not calculate for any expenses like personal care - toiletries and grooming, clothing, shoes, medical, lunch food, household items like laundry or cleaning products, odd electrical items purchase or small house decor, gifts for friends bdays, pet expenses (but the last one is luxury). Your estimate for month of food is very low - national averare for 2023 for one person is around £150 (inflation since then), in London is a bit more than that. 65k is closer to worry free.

[@milananalim]

Hi! 65k is comfortable enough to travel around and do a bit of shopping/entertainment?

[@ExoticDoll-ct3ud]

"personal care, grooming, toiletries" what gen did u hail from? Try Vinted for all your value Gucci lippies, perfumes & "Savers" for the rest LOL

[@joshbrown2217]

@@ExoticDoll-ct3ud You must really smell if you think personal care, grooming and Toiletries is "Gucci Lippies"... Ever heard of shaving, deodrant, basic washing and wiping your arse? Also it only depends on where you live if you can get to a savers or not.

[@ryantan8666]

I'm single and rent a flat right smack in the centre of Zone 1. My all in expenses for the year (including holidays) is under £13k. What do you mean by you need £50k? Stop whining and get a grip!

[@comparecards5688]

@@ryantan8666 I think you’re capable of living with 7k salary annually!!

[@BeethanPlays]

Really good video! Very insightful

[@Farol-ni4wh]

Thanks!

[@ganymede242]

I know a lot of professionals - lawyers, doctors, etc. who earn a 'good' wage in London. Most are in their 40s and live in student-style flatshares with three to six people sharing a front door. Having a place all to yourself is very tough. The idea of starting a family is almost laughable. You need two people working full time in intense jobs to pay for the basics, which means you need to find some kind of childcare. Childcare can cost more than rent/mortgage. It's a joke.

[@mrash8856]

thats horrible i was thinking to come to uk as a doctor but i guess i will have way better lifestyle in my country :(

[@cliffsofmoher4220]

It's the cost of brexit right

[@ExoticDoll-ct3ud]

@@mrash8856 it's not true, i was single mom and my son did fine.

[@harryhudson9821]

It's actually £85,000, 65 is just around broke..

[@RedRumble14]

Damn these premier league players earn that in a week..

[@anthonyfaucy2761]

You can live like a millionaire earning £85,000 in other areas of the UK. Honestly shocked people even want to stay there. London is a shithole full of pollution

[@jordan6266]

How about 10 months later? I wouldn't dare to move to London still, otherwise I'll be a slave forever, living outside and will continue to commute. Wouldn't do it until I'm on at least £150k.

[@shosc16]

I live in London (Z2)on 35k for now. Have one flat mate. Living normally. Wish I made more but wouldn’t say I’m uncomfortable - just living within my means

[@jaquelinecosta3121]

Same on everything 😅 would love a raise but this will do for now.

[@MelOBrien-12]

Great video! And very useful - comparison at the end of what you need to earn and what people are actually earning is wild. I’m in a situation where I’m potentially going to move back alone but honestly, the industry I’m in grossly underpays so I’m on the fence… especially as rent has shot up. (Had a one bed in Battersea for £1700pcm a few years back but it’s at least £2k+ now) Please do a video on Madrid next 🙂

[@CaptainWiggins]

A pint on average is £6. I think food bills you are probably looking at £150-200pm (especially if not veggie and if you include grabbing small bits in the week) Travel can add up if going out regularly for food/drinks/work. This adds up to £100-£150pm. You did mention the unlimited - which is another option. Or you need to be smart with mixing buses and bikes. Takeaways using an app is never less than £10. I’d say £15-20 each time. Even fast food can be £15 min. I never looked at any data but sort of assume 60-65 is what I’d say is comfortable for essentials + left over money. But truly enjoying London is 80+ (if you’re not sharing) Also if people do want to drive (though I know he mentioned you don’t need a car, which is true). Insurance premiums in London are way higher than a lot of the UK. As an example, my 9 year no claims on a basic ford is £1.1k in London for the year (monthly of course adds up to more) and £750 out + no parking permit costs. That’s how I see it from personal experience Either way, it’s a great breakdown and I’m sure the numbers will change a lot in a short amount of time regardless 😄

[@pablonious4907]

I have a drinking problem would the budget apply to me aswell?

[@kennumar]

We need an answer to this 😂

[@anthonyfaucy2761]

Yes. Its an average

[@jamessmithson-br7rm]

Living in Lambeth, Southwark or Lewisham is not living your best life 🙄😅

[@ExoticDoll-ct3ud]

London Bridge was pretty awesome

[@user-mh1yv3sy3e]

living by southbank isnt too bad

[@resilientlemon1302]

Its living the best you can life instead.

[@franktiesteel7868]

I lived in London in the late 60s Double bedsit in Bayswater was 13 quid a week!I live in Morocco now it's even cheaper!!!!

[@neuropcs5879]

When did you decide to leave? And why? I’m really curious as someone who is looking to leave the UK, and possibly moving to Morocco. Would love to hear your reasons & thoughts!

[@redabitar]

Great analysis!! I wish there was a clear breakdown in the end for both scenarios as a visualisation that keeps showing the makeup of the final budgets though

[@rosskj9187]

It would be better to take an average food shop for a person rather than simple items which is unrealistic. £200 p/m food shop is very Conservative even for working class.

[@joshbrown2217]

4 issues with this video: 1. you can easily find a decent enough flat share with 2 other people to reduce the monthly rent by a fair amount, but the bills would be about the same if not more than what you said 2. If you're living in Lambeth or Southwark, there are not a lot of Aldi's or Lidl's about and no matter the super market, there is no big supermarket about (At least not easy one to get to). So you're spending more on shopping as you're shopping at the tiny Tesco express like supermarkets 3. You can find cheaper restaurants that are so much better than Nando's all about the city, the food there only costs between £9 - £12. 4. That average price of a pint is either wrong or massively skewed. The average price is probably around £5.70 - £6.20. You may be able to find cheaper places, but that would take some serious checking and would be no where near where you work. Also the idea that you can spend just £50 a month for gigs, football matches and events is sort of laughable. You can find cheap events, but then you're spending money on drinks there. You also have to pay for travel there. Then if you want to watch a football match it's a lot more than that.

[@JanBanJoovi-ol1qv]

Your argument of flat sharing works for singles. It’s a big no no for married with kids. So likewise there’s a big problem with your point of view. You should also say for a single person flat sharing could be an option to save up on rent.

[@joshbrown2217]

@@JanBanJoovi-ol1qv Fair point, although in the video they don't specify about child care or any of the additional costs that would involve, so it is fair to assume that this video is about what salary a single person would need to live in London

[@JanBanJoovi-ol1qv]

@@joshbrown2217 to be honest, I have single friends working in London with salaries in the range of £50k. They’re staying (flat sharing) in cheaper flats, living by their means, cooking meals instead of ordering takeaways, don’t have cars, following their budgets as much as possible. I wouldn’t say they’re very frugal because we go out occasionally and see them buy luxury stuffs as well at times and do travels once in a while. While they’re not living the luxury life for sure, I think they’re living comfortably. It might be a different situation if they’re married though. It hugely depends on your lifestyle and budgeting is important.

[@ir0n2541]

I have worked it out already. a single person would need to earn £171,216.00 per annum salary to afford a comfortable life in Central London, not a luxurious life. just a comfortable life.

[@Aubrey2004-j4k]

Thats not true 😂😂

[@ideekay1777]

I earn 90k £ a year pre bonus pre taxes, live very central and put 2.2k on savings every month as a single person. Still live comfortably

[@AdityaPillai009]

Brilliant video!

[@wintersnowowen2254]

This is a good video. If you are looking to live a good and comfortable life in zone 2, you will definitely need about ~£4,000 a month net. You’ll be living a somewhat comfortable life but certainly not a luxurious life. The figures of ~£5,000+ aren’t attainable for most people given pension contributions and student loans.

[@bastianosoriocastro3821]

I would't live in Z1 unless it's Chelsea or something like that (which is insanely expensive btw), because it's full of tourists and way too noisy. For the same money you can get a better and larger place in Z2.

[@bastianosoriocastro3821]

Amazing, I live in the UK and this is very accurate.

[@kragonstudio9442]

I like the content! Consider doing this for Luxembourg City!

[@krishanuchakraborty3500]

How is 90k for a single guy to live near London and to visit London couple of days in a week? Can a 1 bhk be rented near by London?

[@francoispo1481]

2024 65k it is not enough at all due to inflaton, cost of living, rent and pound collapse ! 2008 46k gbp was good salary, rent was 700-800gbp 1 bed room zone2 and the pound was strong as well, etc.........

[@cliffsofmoher4220]

Obviously, with brexit the price of goods will skyrocket

[@ExoticDoll-ct3ud]

@@cliffsofmoher4220 not necessarily, lots of cheap shops, buy in bulk, clearance/ reduce foods, etc

[@noueruz-zaman7894]

I am a contractor who earns £500 a day so that is like around £134k a year (though 50% of the salary is slashed into tax) and I live outside London as I cannot do much savings if I live in London. That is the situation of London.

[@danielipacs9166]

50% tax is tough

[@Minimal444]

You must have insanely high spending then, if you don't have much savings with that kind of salary, no matter the tax.

[@ExoticDoll-ct3ud]

@@Minimal444 i know try £500p/m on UC.

[@noueruz-zaman7894]

@@Minimal444 no, i do save. What i am trying to say is that if i live in london my savings will half as rent is too high to live in london.

[@RobertClaeson]

For incomes above £100k the personal allowance is being tapered away so that you'll pay income tax from the first £ if you earn £150k. The marginal tax within that range is then closer to 65%.

[@CyberTronics]

You’ve been quite accurate other some Videos which largely overestimate as they use chatgpt for their estimates :-) Good job

[@anthonyfaucy2761]

London is insanely expensive and has more similarities with expensive countries around the world like Dubia than nearby cities in UK like Manchester

[@naratoth]

You forgot about children. Add extra £15 000 a year per child as a minimum for childcare costs... two children £30 000!

[@annaluca29]

Living in Zone 1 is far from ideal, more cramped and noisy and not enough green space in the residential areas - living near the royal parks is not realistic

[@hotshot8365]

Living your best life MUST include a car and associate costs, otherwise you are basically just stuck in that dump and any other major populated area you can get to on the train at the mercy of the train schedule. The biggest benefit of living in the uk is escaping into the countryside and exploring the historic and cultural sights.

[@ExoticDoll-ct3ud]

agree

[@harryhazard719]

Great video, your only forgetting to add National insurance to the income tax. Also any student loan repayments

[@billykotsos4642]

10:08 Can’t just buy a ticket for a perimeter league game mate. Need to be a club member

[@analieseheitkamp6269]

Great content! You should do Barcelona!

[@Farol-ni4wh]

Thanks! It's on my list to do at some point :)

[@daniepwils]

So you’re telling me I can live like a king in London! 😂 I’m in Houston and it costs around 7k a month just to run my home (mortgage, insurance, utilities, yard and pool guys, etc.). Now I just need to convince my husband 😂 (who oddly technically works for a London based company)

[@HarleyButler-ox3qn]

More restraints in London seem to have 0 star hygiene rating

[@Tradingsamurai1]

We are talking about London right? Not Baghdad..?

[@CyberTronics]

Hey it’s the same thing, you have uk soldiers present in both countries, London is safer though as the other one they shoot ppl :-)

[@johntee1614]

Great content. But can you make a video for the practical lower class of cost of living 30-45 minute tube commute outside central London.

[@Sirfaber78]

As a single person, Personally I think 72 75k at year not over the zone 3

[@sloters5473]

Pension payment?

[@ArtjomsSivickis]

Recomending living in Lewisham, lol :)

[@chilled99]

I didn’t for 2 years, it’s not great. Blackheath is nicer but ofcourse it’s expensive

[@eastwest8151]

Imagine some KZbinr thinks earning £90k can live your best life in London. It's even impossible for after-tax income. Come and take a look!

[@tanvirshahriarrishad4904]

you deserve more exposure, man. Respect

[@peterwood2633]

Bruh, nandos inexpensive?! I only went there as had NHS discount lol

[@nick8002]

So if two people with mortgage of 1100 per month then how does it work? Both earning 55000 pounds each per year.

[@encinho]

How about living just outside London?

[@issalj2661]

£65,000 after tax?

[@Deeekingmaker]

WTF is that Tax? 45% tax

[@RobertClaeson]

Plus 2% national insurance, so it's actually 47%.

[@yardofshe]

I'd double everything in this video and then you're at a more accurate cost amount. Also idk why zone 3-4 are missed so much in these types of videos. They offer speedy routes into London but offer more depth and a more varied type of person. 100% true about houseshares and stuff tho, it drops ur cost SO MUCH. Zone 2 is nice, yes - but it's so gentrified to the point that it's almost dystopian and zone 1 is tourist/corpo central, you'd not wanna LIVE there. South is great, but north is also gorgeous and very very well connected - I would say more connected than south.

[@HairByJamesAnnabel]

New York

[@YRCHDVideos]

Now you need to consider those trying to raise a family on a single income

[@saasda6255]

Why can’t people live in zone 4?

[@freshdogturds]

Rioting.

[@lancervp]

Reed mentioned

[@georgekonyashchenkov9245]

Do Barcelona :)

[@xxg-forcexx8734]

Lmao £5 for a pint? £3 for a coffee? Bro are you in newcastle? All these costs except rent are conservative even on the upper end bracket. Try timsing these figures by 1.2 and you have real costs

[@KirillGorelov81]

Funny moment here. As soon as the narrator starts talking about savings, a jar full of Russian rubles appears. :-)

[@lucass9779]

Congestion charge is £15 a day

[@BAtez-k9d]

Completely irrelevant but it's not borrow, it's burruh. Same as Edinburgh, it's not Edinbro, it's Edinbruh.

[@Cjsingh91]

Average price of a beer at £5? You having a larf?!??😂

[@kezzu5849]

Don't feel like this guy actually lives in London. His estimations were waaay lower than they actually are. Good video, though

[@boluaygepong5920]

i think the London average is ~£45k. UK average is £35k 0:13

[@meglomania2001]

I'm not far from London. I've got no income. I'm surviving quite happily thank you. 😮

[@kx1music]

in my mind living your best life is 100k+ if not 150k+

[@robbysimmons9901]

I make £100K i live in a bedroom in finsbury park 😂 moving to florida soon im outsie.... Tried to get a one bad flat everything started at £1,800 and by the end of bidding up your looking at £2,400. Even the prices online are just a vague starting point. So i would point you to £150K maybe! The taxes are wild 😅😂.

[@valentinomakambo1218]

@@robbysimmons9901us is so much better for money ngl

[@AhisthegoutAj]

@@robbysimmons9901 😂live in Finsbury park as well how come your moving to florida?

[@billykotsos4642]

65k is not enough. I need a car and I want to save up to buy at some point. I need 80-90k

[@motormouthalmighty]

not much really.eighty billion dollars that's all!

[@AthynVixen]

Ok who are you people who are going out to eat and drink that much in London? who can afford it!!

[@topboychris104]

You aren't living your best life doing any of this tbh.

[@anthonyfaucy2761]

Many people especially in London want to keep up with the Jonesses tho

[@akhi_zayd]

Tbh anywhere in London is just overpriced and hella expensive. From zone 1 through to zone 9 - living within the M25 is a myth

[@King_of_Cups]

The paradox is that you only get a girlfriend when you make 6 figures.

[@freshdogturds]

This is disgusting.