London vs Los Angeles, which city is better for you to live in? This question may bother you when deciding to move to London or Los Angeles (LA) for study, work, or living overseas. Don’t worry. This article will give you guidance on an ultimate comparison between London and Los Angeles. Through examining a range of factors, including food, education, transportation, cost of living, and weather. Assisting you in making a wise decision.
Los Angeles vs London: At a Glance
Living in LA vs London, too difficult to make a decision? Of course, each city has its own advantages. For example, you can enjoy warm weather in a whole year at Los Angeles. While there are many historical landscapes to visit in London. Have a look at the table, and you will gain a broad understanding of how London differs from Los Angeles.
| London vs Los Angeles: Key Factors | London | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | • 4 seasons • Unpredictable raining • No extreme temperature |
• Warm all year-round • Pretty hot in summer |
| Size/Landscape | • 607 square miles • Flat |
• 503 square miles • Diverse landsacpes |
| Cost of Living | • Ranked 8th most expensive city to live | • Relatively Lower than London |
| Transportation | • Advanced public transport system | • Car-dependent |
| Cultural & Lifestyle | • Mix of history and mordern • Busy and fast-pace |
• Mexican-American culture • Health focused • Outdoor |
| Food | • British cuisine • World food |
• Mexican scene • Fusion cuisine |
| Crime Rate | • Trend-up • Higher on overall level |
• Trend-down • Higher on violent |
| Job Market/Salary | • Remains challenging | • Gradually improving |
| Education | • More top-ranked universities | • Higher tuition fee |
London vs Los Angeles: Key Differences
The following sections will illustrate several important distinctions that you need to know when comparing London and Los Angeles. Each city represents a great level of living standard in their own countries. However, it shows a very different experience between them. Thus, the content will explain those differences from 9 factors: weather, city size/landscape, cost of living, transportation, culture & lifestyle, food, crime rate, job market & salary, and education.
Weather
Beginning with the weather, which is a factor that people have a strong preference for.
- London: This city is recognised for its rainy climate, with numerous rainy days per month and frequent rainfall. But the wet days are relatively fewer in summer. Living in this climate for a long time, you may easily feel emotional and depressed. Besides, you may enjoy all four seasons without experiencing extremely high or low temperatures here.
- Los Angeles: Due to its location in Southern California, Los Angeles enjoys pleasant weather all year round; however, the summer months may be quite hot. Under this kind of weather, people usually feel more active and full of energy. It should be hint that November through February is the rainy season, although monthly rainfall is very low during this period.
In sum, if you’re looking for sunlight and an enjoyable beach, Los Angeles is more desirable than London. Likewise, you can travel to London during the peak summer season. However, London is the ideal location if you wish to live in a city featuring four separate seasons.
Size/Landscape
Regarding the queries about how big is Los Angeles compared to London. The city of Los Angeles is roughly 503 square miles in size. Greater London, on the other hand, is significantly larger than Los Angeles, covering roughly 607 square miles.
The population of London is expected to reach 9.84 million by 2025. With a predicted population of 3.88 million, Los Angeles has a far smaller population than London. Higher population densities, however, do not necessarily indicate that a city is more desirable.
- London’s landscape: The River Thames separates London, which has a flat topography. As history progressed, dense urban structure gradually covered the gravel terraces and expanded to the clay soils.
- Los Angeles’s landscape: The scenery of this city is more varied, consisting of hills, valleys, mountain ranges, coastal plains, and urban regions. Specifically, the majority of the city lies on the coastal plain, which has numerous popular beaches along the Pacific coast, including Santa Monica and Venice Beach.
Cost of Living
The cost of living matters because it determines whether you can have an enjoyable life within a certain budget. If the level of living cost is too high compares your disposable income, your life could be very tough in that city. Overall, in comparison of the cost of living in LA vs London, London is 15% more expensive.
To show you more details, take the example of a person living alone, monthly spending, based on the newest data from livingcost.org and NUMBEO. The figures in the table provide a relatively comprehensive picture of monthly living costs in two cities.
| Cost of Living London vs Los Angeles (per month) | London | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Total Cost of living | £2932 | £2558 |
| Rent | £2047 | £1637 |
| Food Expenses | £451 | £571 |
| Transport Expenses | £305 | £186 |
Rent Cost
No matter the cost of renting or the bills, Los Angeles is much cheaper than London. Although internet costs are higher in LA, they’re not a big deal compared to other differences.
While if you are looking for a new home to rent, whether you are a student or a working professional, uhmoes.com offers a variety of options. Helping you find an affordable accommodation in London or an ideal apartment in Los Angeles.
The rent cost in the table shows the price of a one-bedroom apartment, which is really expensive. However, many people choose to share a flat or a house with roommates as a cheaper alternative.
| Rent and Bill (per month) | London | LA | Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1B Apartment in City centre | £2312.67 | £1944.86 | -15.9% |
| 1B Apartment outside of City centre | £1711.9 | £1538.07 | -10.2% |
| Bills(electricity, heating, cooling water, gervage) | £250.52 | £152.28 | -39.2% |
| Broadband internet | £31.49 | £55.89 | +77.5% |
Food Cost
According to the data, dining out is more pricey in London. The reason of high expense in London’s restaurant may because the bill includes the 20% Value Added Tax in the UK, plus a 15% service fee for dinging in. But in Los Angeles, consuming fast food is far more expensive. Maybe the fat tax is applied to fast foods.
Additionally, groceries will be more expensive in Los Angeles if you want to cook. This difference maybe due to the tariffs are higher in the US, and a higher logistic cost due to the larger land area. But, interestingly, you can see only the price of milk is lower in London market.
| Eating Out | London | Los Angeles | Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meal at an Inexpensive Restaurant | £20 | £18.5 | -5.2% |
| Meal for one at a Mid-Range Restaurant | £40 | £37.91 | -5.2% |
| Fast Food Meal | £8 | £9.76 | +22% |
| Local Beer (0.5Liter | £6.5 | £6.07 | -6.7% |
| Groceries | London | Los Angeles | Differences |
| Milk (1 Liter) | £1.28 | £0.97 | -24.0% |
| White Bread (500g) | £1.57 | £3.48 | +121.5% |
| White Rice (1kg) | £1.86 | £3.96 | +112.8% |
| Chicken Fillets (1kg) | £6.55 | £12.32 | +88.1% |
| Beef (1kg) | £11.95 | £15.42 | +29.1% |
| Apples (1kg) | £2.49 | £4.35 | +74.9% |
| Tomatos (1kg) | £2.62 | £3.62 | +38.3% |
| Lettuce (1 head) | £1.07 | £1.41 | +32.2% |
Transport Cost
Residing in London is far more expensive than living in Los Angeles, particularly when it comes to transportation, whether you choose to drive, take a cab, or use public transportation. Even the price of Gasoline is more expensive in London. Therefore, most people living in London use public transport. While residents in Los Angeles often go out by driving.
| London vs Los Angeles：Transport Costs | London | Los Angeles | Differences |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-Way Ticket (Public Transport) | £3.15 | £1.52 | -51.9% |
| Public Transport One Month Pass | £180.00 | £70.87 | -60.6% |
| Taxi Start | £4.00 | £2.35 | -41.2% |
| Taxi 1 km | £2.50 | £1.41 | -43.5% |
| Gasoline (1 Liter) | £1.40 | £0.96 | -31.7% |
| Buy a Car (Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6) | £29,734.44 | £20,261.32 | -31.9% |
Apparently, you will spend more when you live in London than when you live in Los Angeles. Therefore, to maintain the same standard of living, if you spend £3,000 a month in Los Angeles, it costs around £3,450 a month to live in London.
Transportation
In London, you can rely on the public transport system. Whereas in LA, without a car, it can be inconvenient. Maybe because London’s land is flatter, it’s easier to build a great public transport system. While the landscape in LA is more complex, people have to rely on cars for daily life.
- London: The city offers an advanced public transport system to meet your travel needs, comprising the underground, overground, the tube, and buses. Although it runs late occasionally, people who live here don’t even need a car. In London, finding a park nearby where you visit can be difficult, and drivers have to pay the congestion charge during peak hours. Besides, it is easy to get a cab(taxi) or use Uber and other alternatives.
- Los Angeles: It is a car-dependent city; most people who live there have a car. The public transport system in LA is not as good as in London. And it’s not easy to get a taxi here, though Uber or Lyft are easier alternatives.
Cultural & Lifestyle
LA vs London, which city’s culture and lifestyle is more attractive? While both London and Los Angeles can be among the world’s most inclusive and multicultural cities. But they have differences in the details.
London
With iconic sites like Tower Bridge and renowned museums like Tate Modern, London’s culture combines modernity and history, keeping its historical heritage while serving as a sanctuary for contemporary art. Presently, the city is home to people who speak a variety of languages and come from over 190 countries. As a result, London offers a vast array of events and a very varied food culture.
London’s lifestyle, like that of any other large city worldwide, is also busier and faster-paced. Particularly on workdays, pedestrians on the street always appear anxious. But when you have free time, you can enjoy the parks and green areas in Greater London. Also, you can go to pubs and famous bars with friends for fun. Furthermore, you can enjoy your holidays by travelling to other cities in the UK and Europe. London has excellent connections to different cities, so you can visit them if you’d like to do additional exploring.
Los Angeles
Similarly to London, Los Angeles is home to over 200 different ethnic communities. Most of whom are from Asia and Latin America, and the city is greatly influenced by Mexican-American culture specially. Moreover, it’s also influenced by its advanced entertainment industry, which is home to Hollywood. Thus, you may find arts, music and comedy clubs here to develop your interest. In addition, LA is famous for its street art and has many well-known art institutions, including the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Los Angeles is less crowded than London and places greater emphasis on leading a healthy lifestyle. So, you may engage in a range of outdoor activities, such as hiking, cycling, surfing, and beach visits, because of the pleasant weather. Furthermore, to promote your well-being, you can also discover organic farmers’ markets and yoga studios.
Food
In both cities, you can enjoy different cuisines from all over the world, with an extensive range of selections that fit your budget. Besides, in each city, you can enjoy street food and fine dining. There are 27 Michelin Star restaurants in Los Angeles and 85 in Greater London. And some restaurants attract celebrities; you may have the chance to encounter your favourite one.
Every city, however, has unique local specialities worth sampling. While you may find some fusion food in Los Angeles, you may enjoy some British specialities in London.
- London: fish & chips; Sunday roast, full English breakfast, afternoon tea, British pies.
- Los Angeles: Cobb salad; fish tacos, California rolls, avocado toast, Mexican street food.
Crime Rate
When people are thinking about travelling, safety is an essential factor to consider. Comparatively, London has a higher total crime rate than Los Angeles, while Los Angeles accounts higher violent crime rate, according to a comparison of the two cities’ crime rates. This is not implies you will meet a crime in any city for real, you should be cautious to keep safe.
| London Crime Rate vs Los Angeles (2025) | London | Los Angeles |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Crime Rate | 26.4/1000 people | 22.1/1000 people |
| Violent Crime Rate | 6.74/1000 people | 7.61/1000 people |
| Trend of Overall Crime Rate in Past Decade | upward | downward |
Job Market/Salary
While leading industries and top growth sectors may have more opportunities or be more available for high pay, the numbers in the table are only averages for your reference. Because they may differ across occupations and ages. Particularly, an interesting point is that many people in the entertainment or art industry work part-time while holding a full-time job in Los Angeles. Therefore, this city welcomes people with multiple talents.
Below is the figure that provides an overview of the job market and salary levels in Los Angeles and London, to let you know hows the recent employment situation looks like.
| LA vs London: Job Market & Salary | Los Angeles | London |
|---|---|---|
| Top Growth Sectors | Healthcare Retail Entertainment and Media |
Technonoly Digital Financial Services |
| Leading Industry | Technology (AI and big data) Entertainment Digital Media Biotechnology and Health |
Technology FinTech Healthcare and Life Sciences Green Energy |
| Average Annual Salary | $72,384 | ￡65,994 |
| Minimum Hourly Salary | $17.81 | ￡14.80 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.90% | 6.00% |
| Suggest Salary for Cover Living Cost | $60,000 – $80,000 | ￡28,000 – ￡47,000 |
The most recent official statistics show that, while the unemployment rates in both cities are comparable, the trends differ. In particular, London’s unemployment rate is rising, but Los Angeles’s is declining. Sadly, job seekers in both cities face difficulties due to reduced job opportunities.
Education
Whether in London or Los Angeles, they all have numerous top-tier universities. London has more highly ranked universities than Los Angeles. While London educational institutions charge comparatively cheaper tuition for international students, living expenses are somewhat higher.The table below shows you examples of world-class educational institutions in each city.
| London Univrsities vs Los Angeles Universities | |
|---|---|
| London | Los Angeles |
| University College London | University of California, Los Angeles |
| King’s College London | University of Southern California |
| Imperial College London | California Institute of Technology |
| London School of Economics | California State University system |
| University of Arts London | Occidental College |
| Queen Mary University of London | Art Center College of Design |
As expected, each city presents students with amazing opportunities for a diverse environment and an outstanding education. But studying academically in both locations can be demanding, particularly in programs like STEM, law, and medicine.
However, there are other factors to take into account for students choosing between universities in Los Angeles and London. For instance, what particular academic program they choose to enrol in and whether they prefer a fast-paced or more natural environment.
London vs Los Angeles: How to Choose?
Choosing LA or London? Taking into account the things which mean most to you. For instance, if you are a student, you should prioritise your daily routine, learning opportunities, and budget.
- Lifestyle & Environment: The cultures of both cities are inclusive and diverse. But London feels more historical and hectic. Los Angeles, on the other hand, emphasises wellness and has more natural areas.
- Affordability: Los Angeles offers less living expenses when it comes to housing, food, and transportation. However, neither city is inexpensive for working professionals whose earnings are below average nor for students.
- University & Career: Both cities have top-tier educational institutions. Like the University of London in London, and the California Institute of Technology in LA. Preparing students for industries like technology and finance. At the same time, Los Angeles has more opportunities in the entertainment industry.
- Safety: In comparison to their surroundings, both cities are reasonably safe. You might be more vulnerable to violence in Los Angeles, even though London has a higher overall crime rate.
FAQ
LA vs London, which is better depends on your personal preferences. London is better for historical and cultural exploration, as well as for public transport. If you like warm weather, enjoy being close to nature, and are interested in the entertainment industry, LA is a better fit for you.
No, London (including the 32 boroughs) is bigger than Los Angeles. Compared to London’s about 600 square miles, Los Angeles’ is about 500 square miles. But Los Angeles owns more nature area for outdoor activities.
London is more expensive to live in than Los Angeles, across three areas: rent, food, and transport. However, there are some differences in food costs. London is more expensive for dining in restaurants; Los Angeles is more expensive for groceries. Moreover, Los Angeles is more costly for fast food and groceries.
For Americans, moving to London is not very hard. Because there are no language barriers and we share a common history somehow. While you need a visa to visit London, the difficulties of obtaining one can vary depending on the type of visa and your personal situation.
Relocating to London is worth it if you like the city, its culture, environment, and people. London is a very diverse and inclusive city. But you need to think carefully about its unpredictable weather and high cost of living.
You should visit London if you like history, heritage, and cultural events. London is your first choice. There are many churches, landmarks, and museums to visit. If you like sunny weather, beaches and hiking, you should visit Los Angeles.
You should visit London or Los Angeles anytime you want! But, if you are looking forward to nice weather for your trip, you should visit London in summer and avoid the period from November to February to visit Los Angeles.
