Southampton vs London
Cost of living, weather and lifestyle comparison.
Cheaper: Southampton
Better Weather: London
Lifestyle: Southampton
Overall: Southampton
Cost of Living (2025 data) Southampton
| Southampton | London | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Rent | £1,246 | £2,286 |
| Average House Price | £232,336 | £542,304 |
| Average Monthly Energy Bill | £109.50 | £163.60 |
| Average Monthly Food Cost | £69.70 | £63.50 |
| Average Salary | £3,778 | £4,641 |
Southampton is considerably cheaper than London across the board. From rent and house prices to energy bills and weekly food shops, residents in Southampton enjoy a markedly lower cost of living. It is worth noting that average salaries in London are around 21% 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
| Southampton | London | |
|---|---|---|
| Sunshine Hours | 1630 | 1533 |
| Rainfall | 794mm | 604mm |
| Average Temperature | 14.40°C | 15.00°C |
There is very little to choose between Southampton and London when it comes to weather. Both cities experience similar levels of sunshine, rainfall and warmth throughout the year, which is perhaps unsurprising given their relative proximity within the UK.
Want to know more about the weather and weather history? Then visit our sister site https://uk-historic-weather.co.uk
Lifestyle & Location Southampton
On balance, Southampton offers a marginally richer lifestyle package. Its advantages include Coastal Location, Access to Nature. That said, the gap is narrow enough that individual priorities could easily swing the verdict the other way.
Southampton
- City is located on the coast (location)
- Within close distance of a major airport (transport)
- Close to parks, countryside or national parks (environment)
- Population 259,424
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
Southampton
Finding nearest club…
London
Finding nearest club…
Location
Southampton
London
Who Should Choose Each?
Choose Southampton 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
- Warmer average temperature
- Strong Rail Links
- Large City
- High Salaries
Overall Score
Southampton
London
Final Verdict
Southampton comes out ahead overall.
Taking everything into account, Southampton 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.