What is the cost of living like in america compared to the uk??

Question

Do americans have far more disposable income compared to us brits?
I cant understand why everything is so cheap over there compared to the uk. Surley the standard of living is better over there?

Answer 1

This isn't such a simple question. Yes many everyday items are cheaper there, but dependant on where you are property can be expensive. There is no national health service although health care is a benefit with most decent jobs, however it is very very expensive. Also their equivalent of our council tax is high, my sister lives on long island, in a modest house and theirs is in excess of $12,000 annually, that's about £8,000, however it is tax deductable.

Answer 2

Americans have much more disposable income than us. Something that costs £1 here will cost $1 there and a job that pays £5 an hour hear wil pay $10 an hour there.

Also there housing costs are much less as are there costs of running a car.

Answer 3

I'm not sure of the conversion rates - a pound is about 1.5 dollars, right? Anyway I live in San Jose, California, and it's about 700,000 for a decent house in an okay area, 3 bedroom, etc. Rent on a 2 bedrm. apt. in the city is between 800 - 1500 right now. Does that help? A pack of smokes is $5. A gallon of gas is between 2.90 and 3.40.

Answer 4

everything isn't cheaper in america. brits just tend to think it's so by comparing the prices of a few things and converting prices but forgetting to convert incomes the same way. my english husband and i debate this issue on a regular basis. i hope to someday make him understand. he only works in england so he only earns pounds but when we're in america and he's spending those pounds (converted into dollars of course) he thinks he's saving lots of money. if he was earning an equal number of dollars, not equal value in dollars, he might see what i mean. american prices seem like half of british prices but our incomes are half of british incomes too if they're both converted properly for comparison purposes.

i'm american and live half time in england and i can tell you from personal experience that the cost of living and the standard of living in the us is very similar to the uk. most of our big cities are more expensive just like most of your big cities. i'm always amazed by people who compare the cost of a flat or a meal in london to the much less expensive american midwest, for instance. that would be like comparing the cost of living in new york city to the north east of england. it's not a fair comparison at all.

Answer 5

Depends on where you live, like some guy said a 3 bdr house where he lives could be 700,000 in a decent neighborhood. In the city where I live you can get a 4 bdrm house in a nice neighborhood in the 100,000 range

Answer 6

Actually it depends on where you live in America....Some places you get a lot more bang for your buck but other places have incridibly high standards of living and the cost of living is outrageous....... Depends on where you live I guess.

BTW there is more to living then the cost of living....I know for instance that there are people who live in some countries that have a more peaceful life and less stress and live modestly...and I am not talking living in poverty.

The U.S. sucks ...too many hypocrites here!!

Answer 7

relies upon the place you progression to and the place you come from. in case you come from London approximately everywhere else would be extra fee-effective. in case you progression to long island city or l. a. life could be extra high priced. in case you progression e.g. to the midwest maximum possibly that's going to be extra fee-effective. normally i think of the united kingdom is extra high priced. what style of jobs you will get relies upon on the stages and adventure you have. It additionally relies upon despite in case you will get a greencard. in case you presently have a greencard the question could be despite if it remains valid or in case you have spent too plenty time outdoors of the U. S.? in case you have a greencard you're waiting to connect the army till you're 40 two, however some branches have a decrease age restrict. you may consistently practice for a table interest, yet your adventure and skills and luck and politics will confirm despite in case you will get it.

Answer 8

depends on where in the the us....coastal cities with dense population...the cost of living is INSANE but in smaller landlocked cities its pretty decent. you can get a decent house from 80-150k....gas right now is like 2.20 a gallon and smokes ...well smokes are always expensive :) why is it cheaper? 'aven't got a clue...maybe because we are whiney cheapskates.

Answer 9

London is the second most expensive city in Europe and ranks 5th worldwide.

New York City is the most expensive in America, and ranks 10th worldwide.

The U.S. dollar is pretty strong right now.

Answer 10

I think there are no health support in US, people have to pay when see doctor, and to pay for medicine...In UK people can see doc for free.