Nottingham vs London

Cost of living, weather and lifestyle comparison.

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Cheaper: Nottingham
Better Weather: London
Lifestyle: London
Overall: Nottingham

Cost of Living (2025 data) Nottingham

Nottingham London
Average Rent £1,008 £2,286
Average House Price £194,014 £542,304
Average Monthly Energy Bill £93.70 £163.60
Average Monthly Food Cost £66.70 £63.50
Average Salary £3,259 £4,641

Nottingham is considerably cheaper than London across the board. From rent and house prices to energy bills and weekly food shops, residents in Nottingham enjoy a markedly lower cost of living. It is worth noting that average salaries in London are around 35% higher, which partially offsets the difference in living costs. This is one of the most significant differences between these two cities and is likely to be a deciding factor for many.

Weather (2025 data) London

Nottingham London
Sunshine Hours 1373 1533
Rainfall 612mm 604mm
Average Temperature 13.82°C 15.00°C

London has a slight edge over Nottingham in terms of overall weather. London receives around 160 more hours of sunshine per year. The difference is modest, but over the course of a year it contributes to a marginally more pleasant climate.

Want to know more about the weather and weather history? Then visit our sister site https://uk-historic-weather.co.uk

Lifestyle & Location London

When it comes to lifestyle and quality of life, London has a decisive advantage. Standout features include Major Airport Nearby, Strong Rail Links, Large City. The combination of features and character creates a more appealing overall picture. That said, Nottingham has its own draws such as Student Population, Affordable Housing. For lifestyle-focused movers, London is the stronger choice.

Nottingham
  • Large student population (lifestyle)
  • Lower than average housing costs (economic)
  • Population 331,077
London
  • Within close distance of a major airport (transport)
  • Good rail connectivity to major cities (transport)
  • Above average salaries (economic)
  • Major UK city (size)
  • Population 9,089,736

Nearest Premier League Football Club

Nottingham

Finding nearest club…

London

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Location

Nottingham
London

Who Should Choose Each?

Choose Nottingham if:
  • More affordable overall (salary-adjusted)
  • Lower rent costs
  • More affordable house prices
  • Student Population
  • Affordable Housing
Choose London if:
  • Higher average salaries
  • More sunshine
  • Warmer average temperature
  • Major Airport Nearby
  • Strong Rail Links
  • Large City
  • High Salaries

Overall Score

Nottingham
London

Final Verdict

Nottingham comes out ahead overall.

Taking everything into account, Nottingham has a clear but not overwhelming advantage over London. The biggest factor is affordability, supported by a positive showing in lifestyle. London remains a perfectly viable option, particularly if your personal priorities differ from the weighted criteria used here.