Plymouth vs London

Cost of living, weather and lifestyle comparison.

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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

Plymouth is considerably cheaper than London across the board. From rent and house prices to energy bills and weekly food shops, residents in Plymouth enjoy a markedly lower cost of living. It is worth noting that average salaries in London are around 29% 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

Plymouth London
Sunshine Hours 1656 1533
Rainfall 881mm 604mm
Average Temperature 14.64°C 15.00°C

The weather in London is a touch more favourable than in Plymouth, driven mainly by differences in rainfall. London receives around 123 more hours of sunshine per year and it is also drier, with roughly 277 mm less rainfall annually. It is not a dramatic contrast, but it may appeal to those who value brighter or drier conditions.

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 has a slight lifestyle edge. Its advantages include Major Airport Nearby, Strong Rail Links, Large City. The difference is subtle, though, and both cities have plenty to offer in terms of day-to-day living.

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.