moneycurio

Compare countries

United Kingdom vs United StatesSalaries & cost of living, compared

In United States, the average salary is 55% higher than in United Kingdom ($87,000 vs $56,300 a year). The overall cost of living is 18% higher. Once prices are taken into account, a typical salary stretches 31% further in United States — the number that actually shapes your standard of living.

Average salary / yr

United Kingdom$56,300
United States$87,000

Higher pay: United States

Cost of living (US=100)

United Kingdom84.9
United States100

Pricier: United States

Real purchasing power

United Kingdom66313
United States87000

Goes further: United States

A $56,000 salary in United Kingdom feels like about $47,544 in United States once local prices apply.

Try it with your own salary →

Frequently asked questions

Are salaries higher in United Kingdom or United States?

The average wage is higher in United States — $87,000 versus $56,300 per year.

Is United Kingdom or United States more expensive to live in?

United States has the higher overall cost of living — a price level of 100 versus 84.9 (United States = 100).

Where does your money go further, United Kingdom or United States?

After adjusting the average wage for local prices, real purchasing power is higher in United States. That is usually the number that matters most for day-to-day life.

Salaries use OECD average wages; cost of living uses World Bank price levels (2026-07-25). India's wage is an estimate. Figures are ballpark for comparison, not precise.