It’s no secret that London doesn’t come cheap. From steadily rising Tube fares and sky-high rents to the shock of paying nearly £8 for a pint, everyday life in the UK capital can put serious pressure on your wallet. But how does London actually compare to other major cities around the world when it comes to affordability?

To find out, residents from cities across the globe took part in a major “best cities” survey for 2025. Locals were asked to judge how affordable common activities are in their hometowns — including dining out, going to the cinema, buying coffee, visiting galleries, attending theatre or comedy shows, seeing live music, having drinks at a bar, and enjoying a full night out.

Once the results were analysed, London emerged as the 13th most expensive city worldwide.

When it comes to nightlife, London performed particularly poorly. Only 16 per cent of locals felt that a night out in the city is reasonably priced, making it the most expensive city on the list for going out. Dining out wasn’t much better, with just 35 per cent of respondents saying restaurant prices felt fair.

Entertainment costs also raised eyebrows. Live music received an affordability rating of 37 per cent, while theatre and comedy shows were considered affordable by only 39 per cent of Londoners.

However, there is a silver lining — and it’s a big one. London stood out as one of the most affordable cities in the world for art and culture, with 83 per cent of residents saying that galleries and museums are cheap or completely free.

That reputation is well deserved. World-class institutions across the city allow visitors to admire masterpieces by artists such as Monet, Michelangelo, Rembrandt, and Rubens, alongside priceless historical artefacts — all without spending a penny. From iconic museums to hidden galleries, London offers an impressive amount of free cultural experiences, along with countless other budget-friendly activities. Whether it’s comedy nights or unexpected encounters with farm animals in city spaces, there’s plenty to enjoy without opening your wallet. It might not help with the rent, but it certainly helps soften the blow.

London’s high cost of living has been reinforced by other research too. In a separate report by Henley & Partners, the capital ranked fourth most expensive city in the world, based on the average price per square metre of prime apartments measuring 100-200 square metres.