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 |
In terms of climate, Southampton and London are near-identical. Neither city has a meaningful edge in sunshine, rainfall or temperature, so the weather is unlikely to be a factor in choosing between them.
Want to know more about the weather and weather history? Then visit our sister site https://uk-historic-weather.co.uk
Lifestyle & Location Southampton
Southampton has a slight lifestyle edge. Its advantages include Coastal Location, Access to Nature. The difference is subtle, though, and both cities have plenty to offer in terms of day-to-day living.
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 Clubs
Southampton
No nearby club found.
London
- Chelsea — 3.3 miles away
- Arsenal — 3.4 miles away
- Fulham — 4.6 miles away
- West Ham United — 5.3 miles away
- Brentford — 7.0 miles away
- Tottenham Hotspur — 7.2 miles away
- Crystal Palace — 7.8 miles away
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.