Cost of living · London · 2026
What salary do you need to live in London?
What salary do you need to live in London?
To cover the essentials living alone in London — about £2,665 a month — you need to earn roughly £39,500 a year before tax. To live comfortably, with money left for savings and extras, closer to £56,000. Rent alone is £1,850 a month.
Verified 12 August 2026
To get by £39,500 Covers rent and essentials with little spare
To be comfortable £56,000 Essentials plus room to save and enjoy the city
What it costs to live in London
| Monthly cost | |
|---|---|
| Rent (one-bed) | £1,850 |
| Council tax | £105 |
| Utilities & bills | £190 |
| Transport | £200 |
| Food | £320 |
| Total | £2,665 |
On the £39,500 "get by" salary, your take-home is about £2,663 a month — just covering the £2,665 of essentials.
Sharing changes everything. Splitting rent and bills with a flatmate can cut the salary you need by thousands. Run your own numbers →