New York vs London: Cost, Visas & Safety
Living in New York vs London: New York runs about $4,970/mo all-in vs $3,400/mo in London — London is cheaper. See visas, safety, internet, and climate…
London is the cheaper base — roughly $1,570/mo less all-in, London scores higher for safety, and internet is comparable in both. Which one wins depends on your income, passport, and what you value most.
How they compare
- Cost of living: London is about $1,570/mo cheaper — $3,400/mo all-in vs $4,970/mo in New York (one person).
- Rent: lower in London ($2,200/mo vs $3,200/mo for a typical place).
- Safety: London rates higher (72/100 for New York vs 78/100 for London).
- Internet: both solid for remote work (88/100 vs 88/100).
- Climate: New York edges ahead (62/100 vs 55/100).
- Visa: easier to move to London — New York's process is rated Hard, London's Moderate.
- Families: closely matched on family safety (72/100 vs 70/100).
- Local salaries: higher in New York (~$5,500/mo vs ~$3,300/mo average) — relevant if you'd work locally rather than remotely.
- Work-life balance: better rated in London (56/100 vs 62/100).
- Sunshine: New York logs about 220 sunny days a year vs 150 in London.
Frequently asked questions
Is New York or London cheaper to live in?
New York costs about $4,970/month all-in for one person; London costs about $3,400/month. That makes London roughly $1,570/mo cheaper, though rent, food, and lifestyle choices shift the total.
How much cheaper is London than New York?
About $1,570/month for a single person — $3,400/mo in London vs $4,970/mo in New York, covering rent, food, transport, healthcare, utilities, and everyday extras.
Which is safer, New York or London?
London scores higher on Jonzy's safety index (72/100 for New York vs 78/100 for London). Both are catalog averages — feelings of safety also vary by neighbourhood and time of day.
Which is better for remote work and digital nomads, New York or London?
For connectivity, both are solid (88/100 vs 88/100). On climate, New York edges ahead (62/100 vs 55/100). Jonzy scores both against your income, passport, and priorities so you see which fits your setup.
Which is easier to get a visa for, New York or London?
New York's visa process is rated Hard (about 12 weeks); London's is rated Moderate (about 8 weeks). Your passport changes the answer — run a visa check for both in Jonzy.
Can I compare New York and London for my situation?
Yes, open Jonzy, enter your income and passport, and get personalised Life Upgrade Scores for both cities. You can also share a side-by-side comparison link with a partner.