Torn between London and Manchester? As a proud Londoner, we’ll momentarily set aside our bias and explore the factors that truly matter to you.
If you’re seeking rapid career progression and a bustling, fast-paced lifestyle, London takes the spotlight. On the flip side, if a more relaxed pace and a wallet-friendly cost of living tickle your fancy, Manchester steals the show.
But how did we reach this verdict? Fear not, for we’re about to dive deep into the nitty-gritty.
So, let’s unravel the secrets and uncover which metropolis suits you best.
Cost of living in London vs. Manchester
| The cost of living in London is significantly higher than in Manchester. The average monthly living cost in London is £3,161, while in Manchester, it’s £2,322. This means that the cost of living in London is 26.5% higher than in Manchester. This is particularly evident in rental and childcare costs. |
To determine the average monthly living costs in London and Manchester, we used data from LivingCost.org.
The table below presents a comprehensive overview of the expenses associated with residing in these cities, allowing for a more detailed examination of the calculations.
| Expenses | London Cost | Manchester Cost |
| Housing (Average Rent per Month) | ||
| 1-bedroom apartment (downtown) | £1,557 | £787 |
| Cheap 1-bedroom apartment | £1,132 | £588 |
| 3-bedroom apartment (downtown) | £2,880 | £1,672 |
| Cheap 3-bedroom apartment | £1,962 | £1,019 |
| Utilities (Average Monthly Bill) | ||
| Utility bill for one person | £139 | £127 |
| Utility bill for a family | £213 | £198 |
| Internet plan | £27.3 | £26 |
| Transportation (Fare) | ||
| 1-way ticket (local transport ticket) | £2.51 | £1.94 |
| Monthly pass (local transport ticket) | £119 | £67.8 |
| Taxi Start (normal tariff) | £18.2 | £12.5 |
| Gasoline (1 litre) | £1.66 | £1.16 |
| Childcare (Tuition Fee) | ||
| Private Preschool/Kindergarten (full day) | £1,488 per month | £1,001 per month |
| International Primary School | £17,374 per year | £9,732 per year |
Overall, the cost of living in Manchester is about 28% lower than in London. This is due to several factors, including lower rent prices, lower utility costs, and lower grocery prices.
However, there are a few reasons why most people might choose to live in London despite the higher cost of living. London is a major financial and cultural centre, and it offers a wide range of job opportunities, for instance.
Real Estate Prices in London vs. Manchester
London has higher real estate prices compared to Manchester. Based on the Housing Market prices of Zoopla, the average price of a single-family home in London is 201.6% more expensive than in Manchester. Meanwhile, a condo is 57.2% cheaper in Manchester. |
When it comes to real estate, Manchester shines with its more affordable prices, giving London a run for its money.
Just look at the table below to see what we mean. It shows a dramatic contrast in the prices for single-family homes and condos between the two cities.
| Property Type | London | Manchester |
| Single-Family Home | £1,325,555 | £441,606 |
| Condo Apartment | £489,303 | £206,119 |
Diversity and Demographics in London vs. Manchester
| While both cities embrace multiculturalism, London shines with a higher proportion of visible minorities. In London, these vibrant communities make up an impressive 46.2% of the total population, while Manchester proudly embraces a diverse blend at 23.6%. Together, these cities paint a vivid picture of inclusivity, showcasing the richness and harmony that arise from embracing different cultures and backgrounds. |
London boasts a larger area, a significantly higher population, and a slightly younger median age compared to Manchester.
These distinctions paint a unique picture of each region’s characteristics, highlighting the diversity and variations within different areas of England.
| London | Manchester | |
| Geographic Location | Greater London, England | Greater Manchester, England |
| Size (Area) | 1,572 km square kilometres | 572 square kilometres |
| Population | 9,648,000 | 2,791,000 |
| Female Population | 50.6 % | 51.6% |
| Male Population | 49.4% | 48.4% |
| Median Age | 35.9 years old | 38.7 years old |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 82.8 years old | 77.15 years old |
Meanwhile, according to data from World Population Review, there are notable differences in the racial composition between London and Manchester.
London exhibits greater diversity, with larger Asian and Black populations, while Manchester has a higher proportion of White individuals.
| Racial Composition | London | Racial Composition | Manchester | |
| White | 53.8% | White | 66.7% | |
| Asian | 20.8% | Asian | 17.1% | |
| Black | 13.5% | Black | 8.6% | |
| Mixed | 4.6% | Mixed | 4.7% | |
| Arab | 1.6% | Arab | 1.9% | |
| Other | 4.7% | Other | 1.2% |
Career Opportunities in London vs. Manchester
| Sourced data from Statista shows that London offers slightly higher job opportunities than Manchester. This is because the employment rate in London is 76.2%, while in Manchester, it’s 72.4%. |
It is worth considering that the average annual salary in London amounts to £33,825, whereas in Manchester, it stands at £30,090. One contributing factor to London’s higher salary range is the elevated cost of living associated with the city.
Crime and Safety in London vs. Manchester
| Based on the data from Statista in 2022, it’s safer to live in London than in Manchester. The crime rate in London for this period is at 8.66%, while in Manchester, it’s 12.93%. Manchester displays a higher incidence of reported crimes relative to its population size compared to London partly due to variances in socioeconomic conditions, population density, law enforcement measures, and regional dynamics. |
When it comes to large cities in the United Kingdom, London stands out as being one of the safest. However, this does not necessarily mean that Manchester is unsafe – it still maintains a moderate crime rate.
| City | Population | Crime total | Crime rate per 100,000 people | Crime rate (%) |
| London | 9,648,000 | 835,822 | 8,663 | 8.66% |
| Manchester | 2,791,000 | 361,018 | 12,935 | 12.93% |
For a deeper understanding, we have acquired data from Numbeo to demonstrate the perceived relative crime levels between London and Manchester.
It is worth noting that the information presented below relies on survey data and may fluctuate as more participants contribute over time.
| Type of Crime | London | Manchester |
| People using or dealing drugs | 61.62% | 71.59% |
| Property crimes such as vandalism and theft | 57.48% | 62.68% |
| Violent crimes such as assault or armed robbery | 56.87% | 53.86% |
| Corruption and bribery | 38.30% | 33.56% |
Lifestyle in London vs. Manchester
Both London and Manchester are safe, clean, and multicultural cities with similar weather. Plus, they offer a myriad of fun and historical spots for various recreational activities, making them vibrant and exciting places to live in. |
To get a closer look at the type of lifestyle offered in both cities, we compare each city in detail based on several factors, such as the weather, recreational activities, and healthcare.
Weather in London vs. Manchester
Both London and Manchester experience short, comfortable, and partly cloudy summers, as well as long, very cold, windy, and mostly cloudy winters.
Throughout the year, London generally experiences temperatures between 4°C and 23°C , with infrequent instances of temperatures dropping below -1°C or going above 29°C.
On the other hand, Manchester’s temperature typically ranges from 3°C to 21°C, with rare occasions of temperatures falling below -3°C or surpassing 26°C.
Things to do in London vs. Manchester
Both London and Manchester offer countless opportunities for recreation and leisure activities, with palaces, museums, and sports arenas available.
London boasts a wealth of activities that are unique to the city. Here you can explore the grandeur of Buckingham Palace, admire panoramic views from the London Eye, and Immerse yourself in art and culture at the British Museum.
On the other hand, Manchester offers its distinct attractions. Here you can dive into the music scene at iconic venues like Manchester Arena, plunge yourself into the world of football at Old Trafford, and explore the vibrant Northern Quarter for shopping.
There’s just no doubt that both cities provide a unique set of activities that showcase their individual character and allure.
Healthcare in London vs. Manchester
Healthcare services in London and Manchester are both of high quality; however, the latter is widely seen as surpassing the former. According to data from Numbeo, London’s healthcare index is 69.81%, whereas Manchester’s stands at a higher rate of 79.06%.
The table below shows several factors that influence the overall healthcare index in both cities:
| London | Manchester | |
| Skill and competency of medical staff | 69% | 82.59% |
| Speed in completing examinations and reports | 65.91% | 55.84% |
| Equipment for modern diagnosis and treatment | 82.34% | 83.33% |
| Accuracy and completeness in filling out reports | 67.75% | 72.73% |
| Friendliness and courtesy of the staff | 72.44% | 82.41% |
| Responsiveness (waiting in medical institutions) | 43.56% | 60% |
| Satisfaction with Cost | 79.02% | 89.55% |
| Convenience of location | 79.30% | 85.45% |
London vs. Manchester: How they stack up
In the end, both cities have pros and cons that could influence your choice. The ideal city to reside in is subjective and will depend on your specific living standards and lifestyle preferences.
To recap, here are our recommendations on which city might be more suitable based on the factors we’ve covered earlier.
| Factors | The Better City | Why |
| Cost of Living | Manchester | The living cost in Manchester is 26.5% cheaper than in London. |
| Real Estate | Manchester | The average prices for real estate properties in Manchester are significantly cheaper. |
| Diversity and Demographics | London | Both cities have relatively high diversity, but overall, the London population has a higher percentage of visible minorities. |
| Career Opportunities | London | London has a more favourable job landscape and a lower unemployment rate. |
| Crime Index | London | The crime index in London is lower than in Manchester. |
| Lifestyle | Tied (depends on what kind of lifestyle you prefer) | London and Manchester share the same type of climate. Both cities have iconic landmarks that enable you to do various recreational activities. On top of this, both Healthcare services in London and Manches are top-notch. |
