Plymouth vs London
Cost of living, weather and lifestyle comparison.
Cheaper: Plymouth
Better Weather: London
Lifestyle: London
Overall: Plymouth
Cost of Living (2025 data) Plymouth
| Plymouth | London | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | £985 | £2,286 |
| Average House Price | £217,671 | £542,304 |
| Average Monthly Energy Bill | £102.30 | £163.60 |
| Average Monthly Food Cost | £68.80 | £63.50 |
| Average Salary | £3,453 | £4,641 |
The affordability gulf between Plymouth and London is striking. Virtually every major household expense — housing, utilities, groceries — is substantially lower in Plymouth. It is worth noting that average salaries in London are around 29% higher, which partially offsets the difference in living costs. For anyone prioritising financial comfort, Plymouth has an overwhelming advantage.
Weather (2025 data) London
| Plymouth | London | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Hours | 1656 | 1533 |
| Rainfall | 881mm | 604mm |
| Average Temperature | 14.64°C | 15.00°C |
Between the two, London enjoys marginally better weather than Plymouth. London receives around 123 more hours of sunshine per year and it is also drier, with roughly 277 mm less rainfall annually. The gap is not huge, but for people who are sensitive to grey skies or damp days, it could tip the balance.
Want to know more about the weather and weather history? Then visit our sister site https://uk-historic-weather.co.uk
Lifestyle & Location London
London comes out just ahead on lifestyle factors. Its advantages include Major Airport Nearby, Strong Rail Links, Large City. However, the margin is slim and the other city is far from lacking — it simply has a slightly different mix of strengths.
Plymouth
- City is located on the coast (location)
- Close to parks, countryside or national parks (environment)
- Population 272,067
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
Plymouth
Finding nearest club…
London
Finding nearest club…
Location
Plymouth
London
Who Should Choose Each?
Choose Plymouth if:
- More affordable overall (salary-adjusted)
- Lower rent costs
- More affordable house prices
- More sunshine
- Coastal Location
- Access to Nature
Choose London if:
- Higher average salaries
- Less rainfall
- Major Airport Nearby
- Strong Rail Links
- Large City
- High Salaries
Overall Score
Plymouth
London
Final Verdict
Plymouth comes out ahead overall.
Taking everything into account, Plymouth 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.