Is Soho Expensive?

London, United Kingdom

+22% vs London avg

Living in Soho, London

Soho is one of the pricier neighborhoods in London, with a cost of living index of 106.8 — that is +22% compared to the London average. It ranks #7 out of 35 areas by cost. Estimated rent for a one-bedroom apartment here is around £2,297/month, compared to a range of £1,280 in Barking to £2,730 in Mayfair.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

For a typical resident of Soho, housing takes up roughly 55% of monthly expenses. Food and groceries account for about 15%, while transportation costs around 8%. To live comfortably here — meaning rent stays at or below 30% of gross income — you would need an annual salary of approximately £91,867 before tax.

Typical Salaries in Soho

Salaries in Soho reflect the local cost of living. Based on the neighborhood COLI of 106.8:

After tax and deductions of 27.8% in United Kingdom, take-home pay for someone earning £91,867 would be roughly £66,328/year. Use the salary converter to calculate an exact figure for your situation, including expat-specific tax adjustments.

Key Stats

106.8
COLI Index
1.22x
vs City Avg
£2,297
Est. 1BR Rent
#7
of 35 Areas
27.8%
Total Deductions

Tax & Deductions in Soho

Estimated annual deductions on a £60,316 salary in Soho, London (local employee).

Income Tax
19%
National Insurance (NI)
7.0%
Council Tax (Westminster)
1.6%
Total Deductions: 27.8%
Est. Take-Home: £43,563/yr

Rates shown are for a local employee. Use the salary converter for expat calculations.

Salary Equivalents

What a $75,000 USD salary in Soho would need to be elsewhere:

City Currency Equivalent
New York USD $80,100
Dubai AED AED 400,803

Other Neighborhoods in London

Neighborhood COLI Multiplier vs Avg
Mayfair 126.9 1.45x +45%
Chelsea 120.7 1.38x +38%
Kensington 118.1 1.35x +35%
Marylebone 115.5 1.32x +32%
Hampstead 113.8 1.30x +30%

View all 35 neighborhoods in London →

Convert Your Salary

See exactly what you need to earn in Soho, London to maintain your lifestyle.

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London City Comparisons

London vs New York London vs Dubai London vs Singapore London vs Paris

Similar Neighborhoods Worldwide

Neighborhoods with a similar cost of living to Soho:

Dempsey Hill, Singapore Back Bay, Boston Potrero Hill, San Francisco Canal Ring (Centrum), Amsterdam Bal Harbour, Miami Oud-Zuid, Amsterdam

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Soho expensive in London?

Yes, Soho is one of the more expensive neighborhoods in London. It costs about +22% more than the city average, ranking #7 out of 35 neighborhoods.

How does Soho compare to the London average?

The cost of living in Soho is significantly above the London average. With a multiplier of 1.22x, everyday expenses including rent, food, and transportation are +22% compared to the city baseline.

Data Sources: Cost of living indices based on crowd-sourced price data and official statistics. Tax calculations follow 2026 rates. Sources include UK Office for National Statistics · HM Revenue & Customs · OECD Better Life Index. Figures are estimates and may vary based on individual circumstances.