Moving to London from Los Angeles: Cost, Tips & What to Expect
Fact Checked by: Things to prepare for when moving to London from Los Angeles include:
- Visa requirements: For long-term stays, you’ll typically need to apply for a work visa, family visa, or a startup visa. Permanent residency or citizenship requires passing the Life in the UK text.
- Moving costs: Moving costs include shipping belongings via sea freight or air freight, plane tickets, and visa and residency fees. You’ll also need to budget for rent, groceries, and other miscellaneous essentials as you settle into your new place.
- Cultural differences: Even though English is the official language, London still has its own distinct culture. This includes different vocabulary, history, and political views. London is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with many languages, religions, and ethnicities represented.
- Living in London: London has a strong job market, but a high cost of living (even more expensive than LA). You’ll need to find an area that matches your budget and preferred lifestyle. Fortunately, a strong public transportation system makes it easy to get around the city.
In this guide, we’ll cover what you need to know about the pros and cons of moving to London from Los Angeles, including the cost of living, lifestyle differences, and how to find the best international moving companies to help with your move.
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Average cost of moving to London from Los Angeles
When focusing exclusively on shipping your items from London to Los Angeles, you can expect your international moving costs to range from $3,300 to $6,500. This mostly depends on whether you use sea freight (slower, but cheaper) or air freight (fast, but expensive).
Keep in mind that once you add in ground transportation and other moving services, you should expect total costs to range from $6,500 to $15,000, depending on the size of your move.
Sea freight costs from Los Angeles to London
Sea freight is the most common shipping method to transport belongings from Los Angeles to London because of its lower price. With sea freight, you can ship your household belongings in a large shipping container, which allows you to transport furniture and other heavy items. With shipping containers ranging from 20 to 40 feet, you’ll have plenty of room to ship everything you want!
The biggest downside of sea freight is the speed (or lack thereof). Shipping via sea freight from Los Angeles to London can take up to seven weeks. For many, this means either booking a later flight to London, or potentially spending several weeks in the city before they can fully move in and unpack.
However, the much more affordable cost makes the temporary inconvenience worth it for most international moves.
| Container Size | Container Cost | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 20 feet | $3,362-$4,483 | 37-48 days |
| 40 feet | $3,772-$5,029 | 37-48 days |
Source: Freightos
Air freight costs from Los Angeles to London
When you need to get your belongings to London quickly, air freight is the way to go. With air freight, your delivery timeline is measured in days, rather than weeks. However, this comes at a steep price – you could pay close to $1,000 for a 200 pound shipment. Because of the high price, air freight is used much less than sea freight for large, long-term moves.
The high price means air freight won’t work for large shipments. Planes usually don’t have the capacity for large items like furniture, anyway. Instead, use air freight to ship the essentials that you can’t go without while you wait for the rest of your stuff to arrive via sea freight.
| Shipment Size | Shipment Cost | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 100 kg (about 220 pounds) | $724-$966 | 6-10 days |
| 500 kg (about 1100 pounds) | $1,228-$1,638 | 6-10 days |
Source: Freightos
Cost of living in London vs. Los Angeles
London is one of the most expensive cities in the world. In fact, according to Numbeo, the average cost of living in London (including rent) is 8.9% higher than Los Angeles.
While food and a few other items are cheaper in London than in LA, you can expect most of your expenses to go up when you move to London.
London housing costs
Housing in London can be very expensive – even more expensive than LA. While some apartments outside the city center can be cheaper to rent than they would be in LA, you can usually expect to pay 8.1%-24.3% more to rent an apartment in London.
Buying can be even more expensive, with the average price per square foot coming in at close to $2,000 in London. Needless to say, this is where a lot of your monthly budget will be going.
| Apartment | London | Los Angeles | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR rental | $2,964.94 | $2,602.63 | +13.9% |
| 3BR rental | $5,524.25 | $4,442.92 | +24.3% |
| Price per sq. ft. (for purchase) | $1,950.08 | $715.40 | +172.6% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and Los Angeles (May 2025)
Finding an apartment or “flat” in London is one of the most important parts of your move. Expats recommend searching for apartments about two months before your move, focusing your search on online sites like Zoopla and Rightmove.
Rental rates are negotiable, but be prepared to act quickly when you find an apartment that seems like a good fit. There’s a lot of competition for good apartments. Of course, finding the right neighborhood to live in is an important part of the picture, too.
Here are some of the best neighborhoods in London:
- Hampstead: Located in North London, Hampstead is an affluent neighborhood with beautiful meadows, lakes, and forests alongside Edwardian and Victorian architecture. Low crime rates and quality schools make this an appealing area, but housing can be pricey.
- Notting Hill: Located in West London, Notting Hill is a diverse multicultural area. Colorful homes, shops, and cafés, as well as a mix of quality public and private schools, make this a good area for families.
- Soho: Young professionals who want to live close to entertainment often choose the Soho area. Soho is London’s entertainment district, with a mix of theaters, nightclubs, bars, and restaurants for those who want an active nightlife.
- Battersea: Located in Southwest London, Battersea is another popular neighborhood for families. Local attractions include the New Covent Garden Market, the zoo at Battersea Park, and the Northcote Road shopping area.
Cost of utilities in London
Utilities are a mixed bag in terms of cost of living. When it comes to basic housing utilities like electricity and water, Londoners pay an average of 61.8% more per month than Los Angeles residents.
On the other hand, communication essentials like internet and phone plans cost 39.9%-67.6% less in London than Los Angeles. Your total bills will probably still be higher in London, but the difference won’t be too extreme.
| Utility | London | Los Angeles | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| *Basic housing utilities | $311.51 | $192.54 | +61.8% |
| Internet | $42.04 | $70.01 | –39.9% |
| Monthly cell phone plan | $20.25 | $62.50 | –67.6% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and Los Angeles (May 2025)
*Based on the combined cost of electricity, water/sewer, and trash for a 915 square foot apartment (May 2025)
Food costs in London
Food is the one area where London is pretty much always cheaper than Los Angeles. There are a few exceptions (like milk and certain restaurants), but otherwise, you can expect to pay less for your meals whether you’re eating out or going grocery shopping.
London’s diversity also means you can find a wide range of restaurants and grocery stores to choose from. From specialty shops to international cuisine, there’s something for everyone.
| Food | London | Los Angeles | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast food meal | $10.69 | $14.00 | –23.6% |
| 3-course meal at a mid-range restaurant | $106.91 | $100.00 | +6.9% |
| Cappuccino | $5.07 | $5.73 | –11.5% |
| Imported beer (12 oz. bottle) | $8.02 | $10.00 | –19.8% |
| Bottle of wine (mid-range) | $12.03 | $15.00 | –19.8% |
| Loaf of fresh white bread | $1.95 | $4.15 | –53.0% |
| Cheese (1 lb.) | $5.05 | $5.73 | –11.8% |
| Gallon of milk | $6.44 | $4.46 | +44.5% |
| 1 dozen eggs | $4.79 | $7.02 | –31.8% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and Los Angeles (May 2025)
Transportation costs in London
From its signature double-decker buses to the Underground or “Tube” (the city subway system), London offers plenty of ways to get around. In fact, many expats find that they don’t even need a car.
However, whether you plan to drive yourself or take public transportation, you’ll spend a lot more in London. Everything from taxis and public transportation to gasoline is significantly more expensive in London than what you would pay in LA.
| Transportation Mode | London | Los Angeles | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way public transit ticket | $3.74 | $1.75 | +113.8% |
| Monthly public transit pass | $244.61 | $83.48 | +193.0% |
| Cost of one gallon of gas | $7.26 | $4.87 | +49.2% |
| *Cost to buy a new car | $38,651.63 | $26,631.82 | +45.1% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and Los Angeles (May 2025)
*Based on the cost of Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort or equivalent new vehicle (May 2025)
Education costs in London
London offers free public school, including for children of visa holders. This means you can potentially send your children to school without any impact on your budget.
However, if you’d rather enroll your kids in an international or private school, you’ll have to pay. Tuition rates range from 18%-45% more than what you would pay for similar schools in Los Angeles.
| Type of Education | London | Los Angeles | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-day private preschool/kindergarten (monthly) | $2,411.40 | $1,662.50 | +45.0% |
| International primary school (annual) | $28,017.21 | $23,750.00 | +18.0% |
Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and Los Angeles (May 2025)
London visa & immigration requirements
The main option for Americans who want to move to London is a work visa. Work visas are sponsored by an employer in the UK after you have been offered a job. You can also apply for a family visa if your spouse is a citizen or permanent resident of the UK.
Though less common, if you had a grandparent born in the UK, Isle of Man, Channel Islands, or Republic of Ireland before March 31, 1922, you can qualify for the UK Ancestry visa, which is valid for five years.
After five years on a temporary residence permit, you can apply for permanent residency in London. In addition to having a valid passport, visa, and residence permit, you will also need to pass the Life in the UK Test.
What to expect when you move to London
While London and the rest of the United Kingdom are more similar to the US than other international destinations, it still has its fair share of differences from Los Angeles. Knowing what to expect in areas like healthcare, culture, and weather will make it easier to prepare and adjust.
London healthcare
London has both public and private healthcare options available. Expats can qualify for the UK’s public health system (known as the National Health Service, or NHS), if they have a work visa or other long-term visa. However, to access public healthcare, you’ll need to pay the Immigration Health Surcharge when you apply for your visa.
While the public health system covers emergency care and other medical care, it doesn’t cover everything. Prescription drugs, dental care, and eye exams are among the services that aren’t covered by the NHS.
In addition to its public health system, London also has several private insurers. Individual policies usually cost a little more than £100 (about $133) per month. Many expats use private insurance because it offers more comprehensive medical coverage, quicker service, and a better choice of doctors and hospitals.
Culture & lifestyle
London is one of the most multicultural cities in the world, with over 40% of the city’s population born outside the UK. This includes over 71,000 American expats. These diverse influences can be felt in everything from restaurants to cultural events, even with the city’s parks, architecture, and historic sites retaining a classic British feel.
London is England’s hub for finance, entertainment, sports, and more, resulting in a busy, fast-paced life that shouldn’t feel too unusual for someone relocating from Los Angeles. Some expats report that this can make it hard to form new connections in the city, which makes joining a local expat group a must for new arrivals.
Climate & weather
If you’re used to the warm, sunny Los Angeles weather, London’s climate could be a bit of a bit of a shock. London is relatively cool year-round. Even in the summer, high temperatures are usually in the low 70s (though the city has had record-breaking days above 100 degrees).
Rain is common throughout the year, and winters are especially gray and overcast. However, snow is rare, even during the winter, since London’s oceanic climate keeps temperatures from regularly dropping below freezing.
Top Los Angeles international movers
Moving from Los Angeles to London is a massive move that covers over 5,400 miles! Needless to say, having a full-service moving company to help transport your stuff can make things a lot easier.
Aside from packing and managing logistics, a full-service international mover can also help coordinate customs requirements for your move. If you need full-service help for your move to London from Los Angeles, the following international movers are great picks based on costs, services, and customer reviews:
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Shipping your vehicle to London
Planning to ship your car overseas (and learn to drive it on the left side of the road)? Many full-service international movers, such as IVL and Allied, can also help with your car shipping needs.
If your international mover doesn’t handle car shipping, however, you’ll need to work with a car shipping company. The following international shippers are good picks based on their pricing, customer feedback, and delivery options:
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Tips for moving from Los Angeles to London
Moving to London from Los Angeles is a major international move – and a little extra prep can go a long way in making it more manageable.
What to do before your move to London from Los Angeles:
- Downsize: A big portion of your moving costs are linked to the weight and volume of your move. Getting rid of items you won’t want or need in London will go a long way in lowering your shipping costs.
- Book tickets and movers early: Booking an international move requires a lot more logistical planning than a domestic move. To ensure your preferred movers are available (and to get better rates), book moving services at least three months in advance. Similarly, buying plane tickets at least three months before your move will help you get better prices.
- Compare international moving services: International movers offer a variety of services to minimize stress during your move. Common options include customs management, shipment tracking, and detailed moving plans. Get quotes from at least three reputable international movers to compare rates and services.
- Brush up on language and cultural differences: English may be the official language, but Londoners have different terms than what you’d use in Los Angeles. Learning common terms and researching London’s healthcare and public transportation systems will make it easier to adapt.
FAQ
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