How Much Does It Cost To Move to the UK From the US?
Fact Checked by: Quick answer: It costs $13,000, on average, to move to the UK from the US. This figure includes the average rate to send a 20-foot shipping container via ocean freight, a 100-kg shipment via air freight, and the cost to apply for permanent residency. The possible addition of a single vehicle shipment overseas is also included.
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To start your relocation, we recommend getting quotes from our picks for the top international moving companies. These companies, along with the best car shipping options have track records for excellent customer service as demonstrated by their time in the industry and online reviews.
Regardless of which provider handles your move, we think the following cost estimates and tips should assist you in moving to the UK.
Average cost of moving to the UK from the US
You can expect to spend between $4,500 and $6,500 to get yourself and your household goods to the UK from the US. You’ll have to be prepared for other incidental costs when you move, including visa costs; standard permanent resident visas cost $2,965.
Keep in mind that you’ll also be paying your first month’s rent and a security deposit for an apartment around the time of your relocation.
Sea freight costs from the US to the UK
Ocean or sea freight is the most cost-efficient way to move between the US and UK. We’ve included some sample rates for shipping a 20-foot container from New York and Los Angeles to a few of the UK’s major cities.
To get relief from any duty fees or taxes upon entry into the country, you can apply for a Transfer of Residence tax status within your first calendar year of living in the UK.
| From | To | Container Cost* | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | London | $3,091–$4,121 | 28–35 days |
| New York | Birmingham | $3,091–$4,121 | 28–35 days |
| New York | Liverpool | $3,091–$4,121 | 28–35 days |
| New York | Glasgow | $3,091–$4,121 | 28–35 days |
| Los Angeles | London | $3,362–$4,483 | 37–48 days |
| Los Angeles | Birmingham | $3,362–$4,483 | 37–48 days |
| Los Angeles | Liverpool | $3,362–$4,483 | 37–48 days |
| Los Angeles | Glasgow | $3,362–$4,483 | 37–48 days |
*The figures above are from Freightos.com and reflect pricing to ship a standard 20-foot container. This container size can hold the contents of most two-bedroom homes.
Air freight costs from the US to the UK
Shipping via air freight is far and away the most expensive means of getting your goods to a new country. However, opting for this method will save you the most time. The delivery timelines below reflect a turnaround of six to 10 days for such shipments. The majority of this time is due to processing at customs.
We’ve listed the cost of shipping a 100-kg pallet below. While you could opt to ship your entire home this way, we think it’s far more efficient to only ship your essential goods via air freight. This can make for a smoother transition once you land in the UK.
| From | To | Container Cost* | Delivery Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| New York | London | $707–$942 | 6–10 days |
| New York | Birmingham | $707–$942 | 6–10 days |
| New York | Liverpool | $707–$942 | 6–10 days |
| New York | Glasgow | $707–$942 | 6–10 days |
| Los Angeles | London | $704–$938 | 6–10 days |
| Los Angeles | Birmingham | $704–$938 | 6–10 days |
| Los Angeles | Liverpool | $704–$938 | 6–10 days |
| Los Angeles | Glasgow | $704–$938 | 6–10 days |
*The above cost ranges show Freightos.com’s average price of shipping a 100-kg shipment from the US to the UK.
How much does it cost to live in the UK?
According to Numbeo, the overall cost of living in the UK is 9.3% lower than in the US. Nationwide average monthly salaries are $2,991.83 in the UK and $4,368.71 in the US. We noted that rent prices are among the key drivers for this differing cost of living. One-bedroom average rent is $1,291 in the UK and $1,742 in the US.
However, the above figures are broad and may not be indicative of your experiences, depending on where you’re moving to and from in each country. To help contextualize the differing cost of living, we’ve compared two higher-cost locales from the US and UK.
Housing costs in the UK
San Diego and London are among their respective countries’ most expensive locales to call home. Rent prices are comparable across different home sizes, but the cost to purchase a home in London is more than double San Diego’s price point per square foot.
| *Apartment | San Diego | London | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1BR rental | $2,844 | $2,716 | -4.5% |
| 3BR rental | $4,858 | $5,205 | +7.1% |
| Price per sq. ft. (for purchase) | $852 | $1,859 | +118% |
*Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and San Diego as of January 2025
Renting in the UK has some similarities to renting in the US. If you’re looking for a long-term rental as an expat, then you’ll probably be asked to provide proof of income and employment, and proof of legal residency in the country. Depending on where you’re renting, you may also be asked to provide references from past landlords.
If you’re trying to choose a locale in the UK in which to settle, we’ve listed a few of the top options for expats and new residents:
- Birmingham: This city features an affordable cost of living and plenty of job opportunities. The city center is growing and has more cultural and shopping outlets than many other municipalities of similar size.
- Edinburgh: Scotland’s capital city has a wealth of historical significance and offers a solid job market. While it is one of the more expensive cities in the UK, it is still more affordable than London while providing residents with plenty to do year round.
- Belfast: Northern Ireland’s capital city has evolved over the years. Despite a turbulent past, it is now one of the UK’s safest cities. Many international employers have offices here, which makes it an attractive option for expats looking for a new home.
Utilities costs in the UK
Basic utility costs are comparable between London and San Diego. Expats stand to save a lot of money each month on their cell phone and internet bills after they move to the UK, however. Comparative data between the two cities shows that these price points show that you’ll save 47.2% and 75.5% respectively.
| *Utility | San Diego | London | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| **Basic housing utilities | $298.91 | $295.53 | -1.1% |
| Internet | $74.23 | $39.17 | -75.5% |
| Monthly cell phone plan | $71.75 | $17.60 | -47.2% |
*Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and San Diego as of January 2025
**Based on the combined cost of electricity, water/sewer, and trash for a 915 square foot apartment as of January 2025
Food costs in the UK
The cost of food in the UK is generally lower than what you’ll see in the US. When comparing resident data from San Diego and London, only meals out at restaurants and commodities like beer and cigarettes were more expensive across the pond. Staple items like eggs, milk, rice, and bread are all cheaper.
| *Food | San Diego | London | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fast food meal | $15 | $9.94 | -33.8% |
| 3-course meal at a mid-range restaurant | $90 | $99.37 | +10.4% |
| Gallon of milk | $4.58 | $5.94 | +29.7% |
| 1 dozen eggs | $4.58 | $4.50 | -1.6% |
*Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and San Diego as of January 2025
Transportation costs in the UK
The cost of getting around as a London or UK resident is far higher than similar price points in the US. The most notable discrepancy we noticed was the cost of a monthly transit pass, with London’s costs more than tripling those in San Diego.
| *Transportation Mode | San Diego | London | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-way public transit ticket | $2.50 | $3.48 | +39.1% |
| Monthly public transit pass | $72 | $233.58 | +224.4% |
| Cost of one gallon of gas | $5.08 | $6.89 | +35.5% |
| **Cost to buy a new car | $27,059.25 | $36,398.26 | +34.5% |
*Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and San Diego as of January 2025
**Based on the cost of Toyota Corolla Sedan 1.6l 97kW Comfort (or equivalent new vehicle) as of January 2025
Education costs in the UK
Primary and secondary education is free and required for all UK students until age 16, much like in the US. Expats have the option of sending their children to international schools at a higher cost, although it isn’t necessary. We’ve outlined the high cost of this type of education here:
| Type of Education | San Diego | London | % Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-day private preschool/kindergarten (monthly) | $1,775.71 | $2,238.60 | +26.1% |
| International primary school (annual) | $28,750.00 | $26,613.29 | -7.4% |
*Source: Numbeo cost of living comparison of London and San Diego as of January 2025
The UK’s visa & immigration requirements
A vital step to take before you emigrate to the UK will be to square away your residency and visa status. Standard permanent residency applications cost $2,965, but there are a few different avenues which you may be eligible to pursue.
Firstly, applying for permanent residency in the UK will require that you present a valid passport, your temporary residence permit (if applicable), and proof of English language proficiency and satisfactory results on the Life in the UK Test.
You can apply for permanent status as:
- Someone of UK ancestry
- A skilled worker
Other statuses like spousal visas or student visas are temporary on their own. You’ll have to follow up with a permanent residency application to stay in the UK after these have expired.
Moving to the UK from the US
If you have demonstrated experience in a high-value field, you might not have to have a job lined up before moving to the UK. However, this is the first step in the process for most people. Securing employment and having a letter of intent from your new employer.
Doing this will help you to prove financial stability when faced with visa and apartment applications. Once you’ve done this, and have begun to take stock of your current home, hiring a moving company is the next logical step.
Top international moving companies
International moving companies are licensed to operate in most countries around the world. Some of the best will offer add-ons like vehicle shipping, custom packing solutions, customs logistics management and more.
While international moving costs will be high when you book through one of our top professionals, they will be able to offer the greatest amount of convenience and security throughout your move. Expect to pay anywhere from $3,000 to $14,800 or more for your move to the UK, depending on your home’s size, how late you’re booking your move, and add-ons required.
Here are some of our top picks for international moves. We recommend getting quotes from each, as we gave each of these companies a high rating due to their pricing, reputation, and services offered.
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Shipping your vehicle to the UK
Some international moving companies offer vehicle shipping as an add-on feature. International Van Lines and JK Moving are two of the most prominent examples of providers who offer this. Top vehicle shippers offer different types of containers for luxury vehicles and shipment tracking options to help you stay in contact with your shipment.
Shipping a car overseas is a challenging endeavor, but many of the top providers we review can make this a seamless process for both you and your family vehicles. You should expect to pay at least $1,500–$2,000 to get a single vehicle from New York to London, which can inflate the overall cost of your move.
This added cost comes with peace of mind when you book with one of the following shipping providers:
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Tips for moving to the UK from the US
International relocations are difficult enough when you don’t have a defined checklist and plan in place well ahead of time. While top moving companies can assist you with this, we’ve listed a few things you can focus on that will make your relocation to the UK far more stress-free.
- Downsize: Moving companies charge international clients according to volume, weight and distance. While the distance your goods will travel is fairly locked in, you can knock down your overall costs by getting rid of unwanted goods.
- Book well in advance: Booking an international move at least three months ahead of your move date will save you a great deal of stress in the lead-up to the big day.
- Do your own packing: Full-service packing for an entire home can add thousands to your overall move bill. While there’s no such thing as a cheap overseas move, this will save you labor and packing material costs.
- Work with your mover: Most international movers advertise customs management, shipment tracking, and customized move plans for their clients. We advise that you take full advantage of these through your chosen mover’s customer service team. Such features are designed to minimize stress.
FAQ
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