London VS Rome

Cost of Living & Salary Comparison 2026

London
United Kingdom
87.5
COLI Index
#6
Global Rank
GBP
Currency
Rome
Italy
49.3
COLI Index
#57
Global Rank
EUR
Currency

Key Differences

Cost of Living
87.5
49.3
1BR Rent (USD/mo)
$2,500
$1,200
Total Deductions
26.6%
34.3%
Exchange Rate
1 GBP = 1.1260 EUR
Is London cheaper than Rome?

Yes, Rome is 44% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. Rome has a COLI of 49.3, while London has a COLI of 87.5. 44% cheaper

Key Takeaways: London vs Rome

Overall, Rome is approximately 44% cheaper than London based on our cost of living index. London has a COLI of 87.5 (ranked #6 of 182 cities), while Rome has a COLI of 49.3 (ranked #57).

When it comes to housing, one-bedroom apartment rent in London averages $2,500/month compared to $1,200/month in Rome. That makes Rome approximately 52% cheaper for rent alone.

London has lower total deductions (26.6%) compared to Rome (34.3%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in London. When evaluating a relocation, remember that total deductions directly impact your take-home pay and should be weighed alongside cost of living differences.

Tax & Deductions Comparison

Full breakdown of mandatory payroll deductions for a mid-range salary as a local employee in each city.

London

Income Tax
15%
National Insurance (NI)
8.0%
Council Tax (avg)
3.6%
Total: 26.6%Take-Home: £36,294/yr

Rome

Income Tax
25%
INPS Contributions
9.2%
Total: 34.3%Take-Home: €20,597/yr

Rates shown for local employees. Expat deductions may differ — use the main converter for personalized calculations.

Salary Equivalent

If you earn £56,476 in London, you would need approximately €35,829 in Rome to maintain the same purchasing power. That is 44% less thanks to lower cost of living.

Salary Comparison by Job Title

Estimated mid-level annual salaries in local currency, adjusted for each city's cost of living:

Job Title London (GBP) Rome (EUR)
Doctor (General) £118,599 €75,242
Software Engineer £56,005 €35,531
Product Manager £65,889 €41,801
Lawyer £65,889 €41,801
Data Scientist £62,594 €39,711
Marketing Manager £47,440 €30,097
Teacher £31,627 €20,065
Nurse £38,215 €24,245

Salary estimates are adjusted by each city's COLI relative to the New York baseline. Actual salaries vary by company, experience, and industry.

Neighborhoods

London (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Mayfair1.45x (+45%)
Chelsea1.38x (+38%)
Kensington1.35x (+35%)
Marylebone1.32x (+32%)
Hampstead1.30x (+30%)

Rome (Top 5)

NeighborhoodMultiplier
Centro Storico1.30x (+30%)
Parioli1.22x (+22%)
Monti1.20x (+20%)
Prati1.18x (+18%)
Trastevere1.15x (+15%)

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is London or Rome more expensive?

London is more expensive overall. London has a COLI of 87.5 while Rome has a COLI of 49.3, making Rome approximately 44% cheaper.

What salary in Rome equals £56,476 in London?

To maintain the same standard of living as £56,476 in London, you would need approximately €35,829 in Rome.

Is rent cheaper in London or Rome?

Average one-bedroom rent in London is $2,500/month compared to $1,200/month in Rome. Rome has lower rent by approximately 52%.

Which city has lower taxes, London or Rome?

London has lower total deductions (26.6%) compared to Rome (34.3%), meaning you keep more of your gross salary in London.

Explore Each City

Data Sources & Methodology

Cost of living indices (COLI) are benchmarked to New York City = 100 and derived from Numbeo and Expatistan crowd-sourced price surveys, cross-referenced with national statistics agencies. Rent data from Numbeo Property Prices.

Salary ranges are compiled from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (OES), Glassdoor, and PayScale. Tax rates are approximate effective rates for mid-range earners based on OECD Taxing Wages and national tax authorities. Exchange rates from the European Central Bank. Neighborhood multipliers are estimated from local rental indices and property data.

Last updated: 2026-02-28. Data is refreshed periodically. All figures are estimates for informational purposes only.