London vs. Berlin – Living costs comparison

Moving to another country is one of the most important decisions in life, one must be prepared not only for a change of environment and getting to know a new culture but also be aware of different costs of living.

For example, one must be thinking about choosing the right apartment suitable for one’s budget. Therefore, let’s take a closer look at the price comparison in London and Berlin.

Dining out and groceries

The first and most important to live is eatables. Hence, it is good to know how much a meal in restaurants is. In every country prices in restaurants are different. Let’s take a closer look at prices in restaurants in these two different capital cities of the United Kingdom and Germany (London vs. Berlin)

According to numbeo.com, dining out in London is 43% more expensive than in Berlin.

Meals in inexpensive restaurants in Berlin are 10.00 € (8.52 £), while In London are 17.62 € (15.00 £).

Prices for meals for two people in mid-range restaurants are also higher in London and there are on average 70.46 € (60.00 £), while in Berlin there is 50.00 € (42.58 £). However, for a 0.33-litre bottle of water in restaurants, prices are higher in Berlin 1.91 € (1.63 £) and in London, it is 1.34 € (1.14 £). For Coke/Pepsi (0.33-litre bottle) inhabitants will pay more in Berlin, 2.18 € (1.85 £) and less in London 1.69 € (1.44 £).

Prices in markets in these countries do not differ so much from each other.

For example, for 500g of Loaf of Fresh White Bread one will pay 1.27 € (1.08 £) in Berlin, and 1.21 € (1.03 £) in London.
For 1 kg of White Rice, one will pay 1.84 € (1.56 £) in Berlin, which is only 0.01 € more than in London [1.85 € (1.58 £)].

For 1 kg of Beef Round (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat), in London, one will pay 11.89 € (10.12 £), which is cheaper than in Berlin 12.05 € (10.26 £). For a kilogram (2.2 pounds) of Bananas in London one will pay 1.30 € (1.11 £), and in Berlin 1.59 € (1.36 £). For a kilogram of tomatoes in London, one will pay 2.92 € (2.48 £), and in Berlin, it is cheaper [1.98 € (1.69 £)]. For a 1.5 litre bottle of water one will pay 0.60 € (0.51 £) in Berlin, and a little more in London [1.19 € (1.01 £)], so there are not so many differences and the prices are quite similar. However, the cost of cigarettes is considerably higher in London 14.68 € (12.50 £) than in Berlin 7.00 € (5.96 £).

Public transport

When you planning to move to a different country it is also good to know the prices of means of transport. It will be helpful when one needs to quickly get to the right place.

If it comes to transport, the price for a one-way Ticket (Local Transport) is the same in London 3.29 € (2.80 £), and in Berlin 3.29 € (2.80 £). For gasoline, Londoners will pay more – 1.44 € (1.23 £) than in “Berliners” – 1.38 € (1.17 £).

For Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) you will pay 4.00 € (3.41 £) in Berlin and less in London 3.29 € (2.80 £). For Taxi 1-hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) you can expect to pay 33.00€ (28.10 £) in Berlin and 33.82 € (28.80 £) in London.

Education

It cannot be denied that care and education for youngsters are very important. In London for private Preschool (or Kindergarten) for Full Day and Monthly for 1 Child one will pay 1,643.87 €(1,399.77 £) which is much more than in Berlin [118.00 € (100.48 £)]. For International Primary School, (Yearly for 1 Child), in London one will pay 21,440.23 € (18,256.52 £), and 8,628.57 € (7,347.29 £) in Berlin.

Clothing

Appropriate clothing for a given country is the key to acclimatization. Every country has a different clothing style, but everything has a price. 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) in Berlin costs 82.24 € (70.03 £), and in London 65.40 € (55.69 £). For 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, H&M, …) in London one will pay 32.66 € (27.81 £) and in Berlin 32.66 € (27.81 £). For 1 Pair of Nike Running Shoes (Mid-Range) in Berlin, one will pay 78.59 € (66.92 £) and in London, it is more expensive at 84.63 € (72.07 £). Finally, for 1 Pair of Men Leather Business Shoes in Berlin one will pay €110 and in London 100.27 € (85.38 £)

Entertainment

However, not only meals and the right transport are important but also entertainment. When it comes to it – prices are higher in London for Fitness clubs and cinemas. Whereas in Berlin it is more expensive for a Tennis court.

• Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult – Berlin 32.70 € (27.84 £), London 54.42 € (46.34 £),
• Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat – Berlin 10.80 € (9.20 £), London 17.62 € (15.00 £),
• Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend) – Berlin 18.50 € (15.75 £), London 10.68 € (9.09 £).

Apartments

Another important step to moving is choosing the right apartment. Hence, how much is the cost of the apartments in London and Berlin?

• Rent Per Month for an apartment with 1 bedroom in the city centre in Berlin is 957.21 € (815.07 £), and in London, it is 1,942.15 € (1,653.76 £),
• Rent Per Month for an apartment with 1 bedroom outside of the city centre in Berlin is 675.62 € (575.29 £), and in London, it is 1,504.63 € (1,281.21 £),
• Rent Per Month for an apartment with 3 bedrooms in the City Centre in Berlin is 1,903.18 € (1,620.57 £), whereas in London it is 3,777.61 € (3,216.67 £),
• Rent Per Month for an apartment with 3 bedrooms outside of the city centre in Berlin is 1,276.63 € (1,087.06 £), and in London, it is 2,480.48 € (2,112.15 £).

To purchase an apartment, one will save more money by moving to Berlin.

The price per Square Meter to Buy an Apartment in the City Centre in Berlin is cheaper 6,500.93 € (5,535.59 £) than in London 13,454.82 € (11,456.88 £).
Also, the Price per Square Meter to buy an Apartment outside of the centre is significantly lower in Berlin 4,069.38 € (3,465.10 £), than in London 6,649.20 € (5,661.85 £).

Salaries

Last but not least is salary. The greater cost of housing in London also means a higher salary. The Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax) is obviously higher in London at 3,714.43 € (3,162.87 £) and a bit lower in Berlin 2,674.08 € (2,277.00 £), however, this is strongly related to a specific trade.

To conclude, it cannot be denied that the standard of living in London is significantly more expensive than in Berlin, not only for renting and buying apartments but also for Fitness clubs, cinemas, education and gasoline. Even if groceries are at similar prices in these countries, London is for much more expensive inhabitants.