New York City vs. London: Which City Is Better?
New York City vs. London: many people try to compare these two major cosmopolitan cities with the other trying to decide which one is better – but is there a clear winner?
In truth, comparing London and New York isn’t as really as “apples and oranges” as you might think it is – as the two cities share several similarities in terms of lifestyle, character, and energy.
View of Times Square in New York City at sunrise; November 2025
However, that being said – New York and London are still two cities in two different countries with vastly different cultural elements to be aware of when trying to decide between the two well-known cities.
At a dinner table with friends, imagine New York as the person who never stops talking with another story up its sleeve every few seconds – whereas London will take it’s time to sit and listen, but also share a few good witty and out-of-the-blue jokes here and there.
View of the Shard in London; December 2025
As a whole, London is far more reserved in comparison to New York’s bolder and unapologetic temperament. Still, New York and London are a lot like sister cities – as both enjoy a high-energy pace of life, West End or Broadway shows, and any type of cuisine you could want at the snap of your fingers.
That being said, ever sisters have their differences – and London and New York definitely have moments where they don’t see eye-to-eye.
Which City is Better: London or New York City?
Having lived in New York City myself and having spent ample time in the United Kingdom with several trips to London under my belt – I’m going to provide a full breakdown of New York vs. London.
New York City vs. London: Differences Between the Two Cities at a Glance
Here’s a snapshot of some of the main differences between New York and London:
🗽 New York vs. London 🇬🇧 — City Comparison
| Category | New York City | London |
|---|---|---|
| Population |
Inside the city: 1.5 million (Manhattan). Greater NYC region: 23.5 million. |
Inside the city:
1.4 million (Central London). Greater London metro area: 9.8 million. |
| Lifestyle | NYC is all about the hustle, stores open at 3am, always someone outside. | While London doesn’t go to sleep to the same extent as Paris , it likes to sip its tea and take a break every once in a while — stores are still closed by 10pm and walking through neighborhoods even in central London on a weeknight are often bound to be quieter than in NYC. |
| City Size |
NYC (all five boroughs) totals
304 sq miles. Manhattan (“the city”) is only 23 sq miles. |
London is a whopping 607 sq miles. |
| Eating Habits & Cuisine | Both NYC and London offer any kind of cuisine from around the world you could want — but things in NYC are open later into the night. In other words, you can get a New York slice of pizza at 3am. Both NY and London have “bigger” breakfasts — Americans like egg, sausage, bacon, potatoes, and toast in the morning. | Restaurants and shops in London are usually closed by 10pm — so it would be challenging to find a minced meat pie or sausage roll at that hour. British breakfasts often include beans, sausage, homefries, tomatoes, toast, and mushrooms. |
| Climate | NYC has more frigid winters than London, but they’re less “wet” or rainy — as NYC has far more sunshine than London. | London is infinitely rainier than NYC, and the winters are more miserable too — the sun sets a solid hour before it does in NYC in the winter months. |
| Cost of Living | Both cities are astronomically expensive, but NYC still takes the cake — with New Yorkers spending up to 25% more than their Londoner counterparts on rent. That being said, I do find a lot of things in both cities to be equally expensive — such as single ride subway or underground passes. | I find eating out in London to be slightly cheaper than in NYC, and grocery shopping in London to be far cheaper than grocery shopping in Manhattan. |
| Accessibility & 24/7 | Things in NYC are open 24/7 — it’s easy to find food, transport, and people out at basically any hour. | Things in London will still be open during lunch unlike the rest of major cities on mainland Europe, but things do close earlier than they do in NYC. |
What Do NYC and London Have in Common?
New York and London have a lot of similarities. In fact, when I think of other major cities I have been to that are often compared to New York City, like Chicago or Tokyo, I truly do think that London is the city closest in the world in terms of energy and character as New York City.
Energy
Both New York and London encapsulate a very similar vibe: high energy cities with an endless amount of things to see, do, and eat.
While New York is less likely to sit by the water and read a poetry book than London is, the two definitely understand one another when it comes to “big city energy” and having a lot to offer its visitors.
View of Empire State Building in New York City at sunset; November 2025
International & Cosmopolitan Vibes
London and New York are also extremely similar in terms of their set-up. As both cities are based in English-speaking countries – the amount of foreigners and students that come to each city for new opportunities is overwhelming.
In London, you’ll find a strong influence of people from other countries previously apart of the British empire. For instance, people from Australia can live in the U.K. on an exchange visa for up to 5 years (I know many Aussies who have done this) and it used to be very easy for Indians to immigrate to the U.K.
In New York, there’s a strong sense of European immigration – and cultural ties remain strong in the city in areas such as Little Italy, China Town, and Jewish traditions still prominent in New York.
As a whole, both London and New York take pride in their melting pot of influence – and wear it proudly like a badge of honor that so many are attracted to the idea of making each place their long-term home.
Busy atmosphere in London near Charing Cross; December 2025
Worldwide Recognized Monuments
Both cities also have world famous and globally recognized monuments, such as:
🗽 New York vs. London — Iconic Landmarks 🇬🇧
| New York City | London |
|---|---|
| 🗽 Empire State Building | ⏰ Big Ben |
| 🏙️ Chrysler Building | ⛪ Westminster Abbey |
| 🖼️ The Met | 🌉 The Shard |
| ⛪ St. Patrick’s Cathedral | ⛪ St. Paul’s Cathedral |
However, remember – London and New York couldn’t be more different in terms of layout. New York City is a straight up grid, especially in Midtown where the majority of tourists are – whereas London is made up of a mix of big main streets and smaller ones (think Oxford Street and then the smaller streets to navigate in popular areas such as Russel Square or Covent Garden).
Which City Is More Difficult to Live In: New York or London?
While this is ultimately up to personal interpretation, I would still argue that life in New York City is more challenging than it is in London – as living expenses are higher in NYC than in London, and given that London offers a bit more work-life balance than New York does.
Life in New York vs. London
The overview cards below will reveal some of the lifestyle challenges and costs between living in London vs. New York:
🌍 London vs. New York — Lifestyle Costs & Realities 💸
🏥 Healthcare
The United States is known for its expensive healthcare, with the average resident in New York City paying
$14,000 USD per year
.
In the United Kingdom, on the other hand, people in England (such as in London) pay around
£3,300 GBP per year
— roughly $4,200 USD.
🏠 Housing
Both cities often require roommates for people to afford rent, but New York is still more expensive than London —
with average rent in NYC being
50.7% higher than in London
.
Living solo in either city is possible, but far more financially realistic in London than in New York.
🛒 Grocery Shopping
Having grocery shopped in both cities, I find London to be significantly cheaper than New York City.
Both cities lack large grocery stores on every corner, but London has a slight edge — with far more
Tesco locations scattered throughout neighborhoods compared to how few Trader Joe’s exist in Manhattan.
Walking on 5th avenue towards uptown in Manhattan with view of Empire State Building; November 2025
Which City Is Prettier: New York or London?
Beauty is certainty in the eye of the beholder, but as someone who personally can never categorize New York City as a “beautiful” place to live – I would say that London has more pretty and charming moments than New York City does as a whole. This is because London has more cute side streets and pockets of charm than I typically find in New York – with areas near West End or Covent Garden still covered in cobblestone streets or shy-and-off-to-the-side pubs.
London also has a lot older architecture than New York City, making it more appealing to those such as myself who enjoy the preserved monuments and beauty of cities like Paris.
Personally, I don’t find New York City to be pretty – but riveting and operating on high-energy fumes. Of course, there are parts of New York City that are beautiful (think: Pebble Beach or Christmas Time), but I find almost all major neighborhoods in Central London to have more of an “old-worldly charm” than the more built-up neighborhoods of Manhattan (with the exception of Flatiron or Soho).
NYC vs. London
Here’s a breakdown of the two cities to help you decide whether New York or London is right for you:
Tourism
Many people around the world dream of visiting London, New York, and often even both big cities – but there are a few differences to keep in mind.
London and New York are some of the most popular to visit in the world. In fact, London alone had a whopping 44.3 million visitors in 2025 – and New York had over 60 million tourists, even with a 17% projected decrease in international visitors to the city.
New York is the place to go for high-energy travelers who love to walk and explore neighborhoods on foot. I always say that in New York City, you can be entertained for free – whether it be a light show during Christmas on Saks Fifth Avenue or a workout in Bryant Park, New York City is the better trip for travelers who don’t ever want a dull moment while on vacation.
London on the other hand, is better for travelers who want a mix of chaos but peaceful moments – as I find London has calmer neighborhoods (though these can be 30 to 45 minutes outside of central London by train), European style parks, and an all-around subtle but clearly present more leisurely attitude than New York does.
However, the biggest caveat for me personally when deciding a trip between New York and London is that in New York City – I can walk everywhere, and in London I am generally forced to take the tube, or the “underground” unless I want to be walking for miles on end.
Both London and New York are great cities for intrepid travelers, and I love visiting each – but I would say that I would prefer New York City if I want to spend a little bit more money on a Broadway show, enjoy its more compact size and ease of getting around by foot, and that I ultimately enjoy the international cuisine available in New York more than I do in London.
London, on the other hand, I find perfect for those who want a “big city stop” in the midst of a Europe trip which may have smaller villages in between – and also as a more affordable way to catch a theater show on West End or concert at the O2.
Both cities can easily keep you entertained for a full week and are amazing to visit on vacation, but I would ultimately pick New York City for those who aren’t overwhelmed but constant chaos and London for people who like both fast-paced trips and can also appreciate a long coffee break or pause in a garden – both of which New York isn’t as well-versed to offer the way London can.
Winner: Tie
Housing
Both London and New York City have staggering rent prices that make it challenging to live alone, but as a whole – New York City is still more expensive than London in terms of housing.
London, while I do know many people that eventually find affordable housing – are often a minimum of 1 hour to even 1.5 hours outside of central London, which commands a lengthy commute every day. I’ve never heard of someone living in New York City, as in within the five main boroughs, with more than an hour commute. This is something about housing in London that makes me lean towards renting an apartment in New York City instead.
The overview cards will break down average rent prices in London vs. New York City:
🏙️ London vs. NYC — Average Rent Reality Check 💸
🏢 Studio apartment
NYC (Manhattan):
$4,267/mo
(average rent).
London:
£2,695/mo
(~$3,400 USD) for average advertised rent in London overall.
This is why a “$1,400 studio in Chelsea” vibe feels virtually impossible in central London.
NYC rent is more expensive than in London, but everything is more convenient (grocery shopping, pharmacy, etc.) and not an automatic 1.5-hour tube ride away.
Winner: NYC
View of One World Trade Center in NYC in the fall; November 2025
Transportation
New York and London are both known for their Subway and Underground respectively – and I personally find both confusing for the average tourist to navigate without a local’s help.
What London and New York both have in common in terms of public transportation is, that there are a lot of options – and both are expensive even for a single ride. In London, it costs a whopping 2.80£ (around $3.80 USD) per single ride, with a single subway ride in New York City costing $2.90 USD.
However, I do find that London’s bus system is more developed and well-known than in New York City. Personally, as a long-time New Yorker – I find the edge that New York City has over London is that at the end of the day, you can walk to where you need to go in Manhattan, and the same can’t said of Central London.
Picadilly Circus Underground station in London; January 2023
Both the subway in New York and London are engineered well – but the underground, or “the tube” in London is quieter than in New York City. Both can be dirty, and crowded – but London and New York are also smart as the carts are set up for optimal room, with the seats on the sides as opposed to how Paris puts them in the middle.
Furthermore, both cities allow you to pay with Apple Pay – which is perfect for tourists on the go who don’t want to by specific day or zone passes.
Taxis in both cities are also costly, but readily available. Overall, while both cities have similar light rail systems – I do think that the greater London area is still better connected on public transportation than in New York City. That being said, New York City is better for walking – so take from that what you will when determine whether to visit New York or London.
Winner: London
Architecture
As I said earlier, New York City and London are sort of like sister cities – as they share not only similarities in their personalities, but in the way each one looks.
London is arguably older than New York City, and you can feel it not only when walking places like Tower Bridge – but even in trendier neighborhoods like SoHo or Covent Garden. Having been bombed in World War II, London kept a lot of its central monuments such as Big Ben and the Tower of London intact – but the rest of the city is built up and surrounded by skyscrapers like the Shard.
View of London from Horizon 22; December 2025
New York City, on the other hand, is all skyscrapers – with only neighborhoods such as the West Village or SoHo feeling cozy.
In this sense, determining which city is more beautiful will be contingent on what you classify as beauty – a city that tears down buildings as fast as they go up, or a place where older things are preserved?
Living in Europe and Paris myself, I personally prefer the more European style architecture in London than in New York – and while at times odd in contrast with its more industrial buildings, London has more charming neighborhoods than New York City that are more aesthetic and quaint.
Winner: London
Food & Cuisine
Eating out in both London and New York City is an exciting treat, especially for myself as a vegan – as both cities often offer a plant-based option at virtually any restaurant, coffee shop, or café you go to.
As both London and New York have amazing, international cuisine – it’s a little challenging for me to choose. On one hand, I want to pick New York as I usually see more new, exciting things pop-up and for the convince of late-night open restaurants London sometimes misses.
I truly love visiting London and eating their English breakfast or a sausage roll (seriously, those things when they’re warm out of the oven are kryptonite) – but I have to admit, I am still impartial to a good New York pizza or bagel or London’s cuisine.
English breakfast at Mildred’s in London; December 2025
Some of my favorite places in London include Mildred’s and Benugo, whereas no trip to NYC is complete for me without a stop at Jajaja or Beyond Sushi.
Winner: NYC, but London as a close second!
Dining Out
When it comes to actually dining out, sitting in a restaurant, and taking my time – I definitely opt for London over New York on this one.
This is because the culture for eating out in London is definitely closer to New York City than Paris – as waiters will be a little friendlier, but not as up in your face hoping for a nice tip at the end the way they will in New York.
While tips aren’t required in London the way they are tacitly imperative in New York, a service change is often included (though you can ask to not pay it).
As a now Parisian – I do prefer dining in London for the more European vibe of slowly enjoying your food, not being rushed out, and not being checked on every five minutes. In this sense, London really starts to feel like one foot in the U.S. and one foot in Europe – a balance I can appreciate as an almost French American.
Winner: London
Travel
I love New York City with a deep, firery passion – but I can’t lie, living in London is better for peopole who love to travel.
With London connected to Heathrow, several other airports, and an international train station – it’s beyond easy to take a trip to mainland Europe, Scotland, or even as far out as South Africa – as London isn’t only centrally located for Europe, but the rest of the world.
Winner: London
Shopping
New York is perhaps a little bit more well-known for its shopping than London – with the infamous 5th Avenue. It’s true that London also has strong shopping areas such as Oxford Street, Maryleborne High Street, and their own department store “Harrods” – but I ultimately still find shopping for more “high-end” fashion a little more accessible in New York City as it’s all consolidated in the same area whereas in London it can be more spread out.
That being said, when it comes to shopping for all things – such as toiletries, house supplies, and other daily essentials, I also find New York City to be easier for shopping than London. It’s true that London has Boots, which is a great pharmacy store very close to CVS – the matter of fact is that New York also has Target, Duane Reade, and other 24/7 stores that London just doesn’t have.
Winner: NYC
View of One World Trade Center from 6th Avenue in NYC; November 2025
Culture
London and New York are similar, but culturally they are very different.
I always compare the United Kingdom to having one foot in the United States, and the other in Europe – as the UK and London really embody components of both cultures.
For instance, London has the consumerism you’ll find in New York – but the tendency to take its time like in Paris.
The overview cards will reveal some of the differences between the culture in New York and London (people/customer service more blunt, NY restaurant’s, people working in stores, and waiter staff will still be super nice trying to get tips or make a sale, the UK isn’t as much like this, people have more holiday in London and while it’s also an energetic city like NY – there is more work-life balance.
Winner: Tie
Cleanliness
Honestly, I find London and New York City equally clean and equally dirty. However, the one plus that London has is that due to its bigger size in comparison to Manhattan’s compact layout – is that I usually don’t see rows of trash bags on the street in London the way I do in New York City.
Winner: Tie
St. Paul’s Cathedral from Reflection Garden in London; December 2025
Lifestyle & City Pace
New York City is only a place for a very specific person on the planet: one who truly thrives in sleepless nights and incessant adventure. London likes this once in a while, but it also likes to sit in a park and watch the ducks swim in the pond.
New York is electric, relentless, and determined at any hour of the day – whereas London is more laid-back, satisfied, and willing to change the tempo to a slower one every once in a while.
As a whole, I find London more suitable for people who need an in between balance – and New York City best for people who like something new every second.
Personally, living in Paris – I appreciate London for its “in-between” approach, but I appreciate New York’s more distinct personality in this case.
Winner: Tie (dependent on what you want/what you’re looking for in a city)
People
People in every city can be complicated, especially in New York and London where there’s a wide variety of different cultures, age groups, and reasons why people re-locate to such a big city.
Honestly, it can be a toss-up in both cities – but in general, New Yorkers are blunter and less likely to soften the edges the way a Londoner might. That being said, both people in both cities will often help tourists find their way around – and some might even strike up a friendly conversation with you.
You could find a New Yorker that’s rude, you could find a Londoner who isn’t so nice… you could find an exceptionally kind New York or very chatty Londoner. It’s kind of a toss-up in both cities.
The one main area though, where people differ, is in customer service – as even in New York, the United States motto of “the customer is always right” will remain, and will often be more “polished” and “composed” than customer service in London.
Winner: Tie
View of downtown NYC from Hudson River Pier Park; November 2025
City Ambiance
I view New York City as best for those who take joy in the fleeting moments and finite sense of time, whereas London is better for those who prefer two-feet on the ground, sensibility, and a solid plan for the future.
New York lives in the moment, and London has a subtle maturity for pragmatism and future thinking. In this sense, London often feels more sustainable for both tourists and residents – whereas New York can burn out both visitors and people who live there out very quickly if you’re not made for its firework-like personality.
Ultimately, for me – New York’s personality is what makes it so unique and unlike any other city in the world. I personally could never live in London as exactly what it stands for, settled in its roots – isn’t fitting to my particular lifestyle.
Winner: NYC (But I appreciate London, too!)
Which City Should I Live In: New York or London?
If you’re intrigued by never-ending entertainment, external stimulation, novelty, and densely populated cities – you’ll thrive in New York City. On the other hand, if you’re someone who prefers stability, pragmatism, spread-out cities, and a mix of excitement and cozier nights – you’ll probably feel more at home in London.
Ultimately, I find London to be much more fitting for people who prefer privacy and solitude, which is a striking contrast from the incessant energy found in New York City.
Like this article about the differences between New York and London?
Be sure to read my other posts on New York and London – as I’ve lived in or visited both cities extensively and can help if you’re planning a trip to either city!
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Last updated: January 1, 2026