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London vs Oxford cost of living 2026
Which is cheaper, what exactly is cheaper, and how it feels on your money ยท Updated October 2026
๐ฌ๐ง London
๐ฌ๐ง Oxford
At a glance
- Where Oxford is clearly cheaper: Scooter rental (40%โ), Haircut (40%โ), Half-day tour (40%โ)
- Where London is clearly cheaper: Laundry (67%โ), Transit (42%โ)
By category
Salary equivalence
Travel difficulty
Both cities are about equally easy to travel. Biggest gap: rip-offs & haggling โ London 2 vs Oxford 1. Closer to 1 is easier. Difficulty ranking โบ
Item by item
| Item | London | Oxford | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local mealper person | ยฃ 17$23 | ยฃ 16$21.6 | Oxford โ6% |
| Street food1 item | ยฃ 10$13.5 | ยฃ 9$12.2 | Oxford โ10% |
| Restaurant dinnerper person | ยฃ 38$51.4 | ยฃ 30$40.5 | Oxford โ21% |
| Coffeeone cup | ยฃ 3.7$5 | ยฃ 3.7$5 | similar |
| Beerone bottle | ยฃ 6.8$9.19 | ยฃ 6$8.11 | Oxford โ12% |
| Cocktail & wineone cup | ยฃ 13$17.6 | ยฃ 10$13.5 | Oxford โ23% |
| Bottled water | ยฃ 1.3$1.76 | ยฃ 1.1$1.49 | Oxford โ15% |
| Convenience store1 snack or drink | ยฃ 2$2.7 | ยฃ 1.8$2.43 | Oxford โ10% |
| Taxi5 km in town | ยฃ 16$21.6 | ยฃ 13$17.6 | Oxford โ19% |
| Tuk-tuk / moto taxishort hop | ยฃ 9$12.2 | ยฃ 7$9.46 | Oxford โ22% |
| Transitone ride | ยฃ 1.75$2.36 | ยฃ 3$4.05 | London โ42% |
| Scooter rentalper day | ยฃ 25$33.8 | ยฃ 15$20.3 | Oxford โ40% |
| Hotel night3-star | ยฃ 180$243 | ยฃ 130$176 | Oxford โ28% |
| Studio rent (month) | ยฃ 1,900$2,568 | ยฃ 1,200$1,622 | Oxford โ37% |
| Laundry | ยฃ 3$4.05 | ยฃ 9$12.2 | London โ67% |
| SIM card1 week data | ยฃ 10$13.5 | ยฃ 10$13.5 | similar |
| Haircutcut | ยฃ 25$33.8 | ยฃ 15$20.3 | Oxford โ40% |
| Massage1 hour | ยฃ 65$87.8 | ยฃ 55$74.3 | Oxford โ15% |
| Half-day tourper person | ยฃ 50$67.6 | ยฃ 30$40.5 | Oxford โ40% |
| Entry ticketTourist town | ยฃ 32$43.2 | ยฃ 24$32.4 | Oxford โ25% |
Reference prices start as estimates from published price levels; items with 3+ traveler reports use the median of real reports. Hostels and local eateries cut both by 30%+.
FAQ
Which is cheaper, London or Oxford?
Oxford is 21% cheaper than London. Daily budget $438 vs $340; a month $8,616 vs $6,832.
Which is easier to travel, London or Oxford?
About the same: London 1.4/5, Oxford 1.2/5 (average of rip-offs, language, transport, payments and safety).
How do monthly costs compare between London and Oxford?
With a short-term studio and living costs, London is about $8,616 and Oxford about $6,832 per month.
Where do the numbers come from?
They start as estimates informed by published price levels; any item with 3+ traveler reports switches to the median of real reports. Live reports are in the app.