Cost of Living in the UK Vs Australia/ NZ and Canada
We get asked a lot about the cost of living n the UK and whether it is viable to live and teach there. The cost of living is unfortunately high in all the countries we recruit teachers to work in the UK, so what you are experiencing at home, is comparable and sometimes more expensive that in the UK. When you teach in the UK you earn the same as local teachers so you are certainly able to live and work there, and rest assured our teachers are always heading to Europe for mini and longer breaks during school holidays. You just need to be smart with your money and what you spend it on, and where you decide to live.
We have deep dived into the cost of accommodation, travel and groceries in the UK. Have a read and get in touch if you have any questions. These figures are accurate from September 2024.
Grocery Comparison
This article from The ABC in Australia (September 2025) compares cost of groceries in the UK, Ireland and New Zealand, and the UK comes out as more affordable than the others on the whole. Click here to read.
Australia’s grocery prices can be quite variable depending on the specific items and regional factors, and the time of the year, but overall, here’s how they typically compare to the UK, Canada, and New Zealand in broad terms:
1. Australia
• Fresh Produce: Generally higher-priced than in the UK and Canada, especially for fruits and vegetables. This is partly due to seasonal availability and transportation costs
across large distances.
• Dairy & Meat: Prices for dairy and meat are often higher, though Australia is a large producer of both. Export demand and local production costs drive up prices.
• Processed Foods: Packaged goods tend to be moderately priced, though more expensive compared to New Zealand.
• Alcohol: Very high due to taxes.
• Fresh Produce: Typically cheaper than Australia, especially for common vegetables like potatoes, carrots, and onions. Fruits can be affordable, although exotic fruits may be
more expensive.
• Dairy & Meat: Cheaper than in Australia. The UK has strong local dairy and meat industries, and supermarket competition helps keep prices lower.
• Processed Foods: Generally cheaper due to the dominance of discount chains like Aldi and Lidl.
• Alcohol: Alcohol prices are high, but less so compared to Australia.
3. Canada
• Fresh Produce: More affordable than in Australia, but can be expensive depending on the season, especially for imported goods due to the climate. Canadian winters increase the
cost of fresh produce in colder months.
• Dairy & Meat: Prices are relatively high compared to the UK but still lower than in Australia. Canada’s supply management system also contributes to higher dairy prices.
• Processed Foods: Prices tend to be lower than in Australia, especially for imported goods.
• Alcohol: Prices can be high, largely due to taxes and provincial regulations.
4. New Zealand
• Fresh Produce: Often cheaper than in Australia due to a strong agricultural sector, though prices can rise in remote areas or for out-of-season produce.
• Dairy & Meat: Cheaper than in Australia since New Zealand is a major exporter of dairy and meat, though domestic prices can still fluctuate with export demand.
• Processed Foods: Usually cheaper than Australia, but more expensive compared to the UK and Canada due to market size.
• Alcohol: Similar to Australia, with higher taxes pushing prices up.
Overall Comparison:
• Cheapest for Groceries: UK tends to have the cheapest grocery prices, largely due to competition from discount retailers.
• Most Expensive for Groceries: Australia generally has higher grocery prices, especially for fresh produce and meat.
• Canada and New Zealand fall somewhere in the middle, with Canada often cheaper for processed foods and New Zealand offering lower dairy/meat prices due to local production.
Tips to keep your costs low when living in the UK:
• Buy in bulk when you can for products you use often like rice, pasts etc..
• Shop at the end of the day and find reduced items that need a quick sale
• Buy in season- seasonal fruit and veg are cheaper than the alternative
• Meal prep- a bulk buy and cook up for the week saves money and time
• Save eating out for holidays and special events- stay away from Uber eats and you will save yourself $$$
• Consider shopping with flatmates and sharing food and meal responsibilities
Travel Comparison
The cost of travel in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada can vary greatly depending on factors such as distance, public transport infrastructure, and fuel costs. Here’s a comparison of the general travel expenses across these countries, focusing on public transport, fuel, and domestic flights.
1. United Kingdom (UK)
• Public Transport: The UK has an extensive public transport network, especially in urban areas.
o Train: Train travel in the UK can be expensive, particularly on long-distance routes if not booked in advance. However, regional trains and rail passes (like the BritRail
Pass) can help reduce costs. For example, a one-way ticket from London to Manchester can range from £30–£150, depending on how early it’s booked.
o Bus: Bus travel is cheaper, with companies like National Express and Megabus offering low-cost options. Long-distance fares can be as low as £5–£15.
o Urban Transport: In cities like London, buses and the Underground are relatively affordable. A day travelcard for zones 1-2 in London costs around £8–£14.50, with pay-as-you-
go fares on the Oyster card ranging from £2.40–£5 per trip.
• Fuel: Petrol in the UK is expensive compared to many countries, averaging around £1.55 per litre (AUD 3, NZD 3, CAD 2.60).
• Domestic Flights: Domestic air travel can be affordable, especially on budget carriers like EasyJet or Ryanair, with flights between major cities often costing between £30–
£100.
2. Australia
• Public Transport: Public transport in Australia is less extensive than in the UK, especially outside of major cities, but still reliable.
o Train: Train travel is available in major cities but not as commonly used for intercity trips. For example, a train from Sydney to Melbourne takes about 11 hours and can cost
AUD 60–150.
o Bus: Long-distance bus travel is common and affordable, with Greyhound Australia offering routes across the country. Bus fares can range from AUD 30–100 for long trips.
o Urban Transport: Cities like Sydney and Melbourne have good public transport networks, with a Sydney Opal card fare averaging AUD 3–5 for a single trip. Melbourne’s Myki
system has similar pricing.
• Fuel: Petrol is moderately priced at around AUD 2.00 per litre (GBP 1.05, NZD 2.10, CAD 1.70).
• Domestic Flights: Due to the large distances between cities, domestic air travel is common. Flights between Sydney and Melbourne or Brisbane often range from AUD 80–200
depending on the season and how early they are booked.
3. New Zealand
• Public Transport: Public transport is less developed than in the UK or Australia, particularly in rural areas, though cities like Auckland and Wellington have decent systems.
o Train: Long-distance train travel is scenic but limited. The Northern Explorer from Auckland to Wellington costs NZD 100–200 but is more of a tourist experience.
o Bus: Buses are the most common form of long-distance travel, with InterCity providing affordable routes (NZD 30–100 for longer routes).
o Urban Transport: Public transport in cities is affordable. In Auckland, the AT HOP card charges around NZD 3.50 for short trips.
• Fuel: Petrol is similarly priced to Australia, around NZD 2.80 per litre (GBP 1.40, AUD 2.60, CAD 2.30).
• Domestic Flights: Domestic flights are widely used due to the country’s mountainous terrain and scattered population. A flight between Auckland and Wellington is typically NZD
60–150 depending on booking time and demand.
4. Canada
• Public Transport: Canada’s public transport infrastructure is good in cities but sparse between cities due to vast distances.
o Train: Long-distance train travel is available but slow and expensive. A trip from Toronto to Vancouver on VIA Rail takes four days and can cost CAD 400–1,500, making flying a
more practical option.
o Bus: Bus services like Greyhound have largely been discontinued for long distances, but some private operators still run routes in specific regions. Fares can range from CAD
30–100 for intercity travel.
o Urban Transport: Cities like Toronto and Vancouver have comprehensive systems. In Toronto, a TTC fare is CAD 3.35 for a single ride, while Vancouver’s TransLink system charges
CAD 3–5 depending on the zone.
• Fuel: Petrol prices are lower than in the UK and comparable to Australia, averaging CAD 1.70 per litre (GBP 0.90, AUD 1.90, NZD 2.00).
• Domestic Flights: Like Australia, large distances between cities make domestic flights common. A flight between Toronto and Vancouver typically costs CAD 150–400.
Comparison Summary:
• Public Transport Costs:
o UK: Extensive but often expensive, especially for trains.
o Australia: Good in cities but more limited intercity, with moderate costs.
o New Zealand: Less developed outside cities, cheaper but less frequent.
o Canada: Public transport in cities is good, but intercity options are limited and expensive.
• Fuel Prices (per litre):
o Most Expensive: UK (~£1.55)
o Moderate: New Zealand (NZD 2.80), Australia (AUD 2.00)
o Least Expensive: Canada (CAD 1.70)
• Domestic Flights:
o Most Expensive: Canada (CAD 150–400 for long flights).
o Moderate: Australia (AUD 80–200) and New Zealand (NZD 60–150).
o Cheapest: UK (£30–£100 for domestic flights, often subsidized by budget carriers).
Conclusion:
• UK: Best for public transport coverage but expensive, especially for trains and fuel.
• Australia: Cheaper urban public transport, moderate fuel prices, but distances make air travel more common and pricier.
• New Zealand: Public transport is less developed, but bus and domestic flights are affordable. Fuel is moderately priced.
• Canada: Public transport is decent in cities but intercity options are expensive, with cheaper fuel prices compared to the UK.
Tips to keep travel costs low:
• Buy an Oyster Card or use contactless payment at the gates and get the bet travel rates. Your fares will be capped eg. Daily cap for Zones 1-2 is £8.10
• Travel off peak when you can ( this is not possible for teachers in the week) but after 9.30am and on weekends costs are lowest for travel.
• Buy a travel card if you are using a service frequently. You can buy 7 day cards and one’s for much longer periods. Use a Railcard if you are aged 26-30 as a ‘Young
Professional’ and save up to a third on travel. Consider buying an annual card for best savings.
• Buses are generally cheaper than trains. They are capped after 3 rides and equate to about £5.25 per day in Zones 1-2.
• Use a bike if you can. You can buy annual memberships with Santander bikes for £120 a year for unlimited 30 minute trips. The cost per 30 minutes is £1.65 for casual use.
• Walk when you can! Save money and stay fit.
• Use apps like Citymapper, Google Maps, or the TfL Journey Planner to find the most cost-effective routes.
Rent Comparison
Rent prices in Sydney, London, Toronto, and Auckland vary significantly based on factors like neighbourhood, property size, and market demand. Here’s a comparison of typical rent costs in these cities. Here are the costs based on September 2024:
1. Sydney, Australia
• Average Rent for 1-bedroom Apartment (City Centre): AUD 3,200–4,000 per month (approx. GBP 1,650–2,100, CAD 2,700–3,400, NZD 3,400–4,200).
• Average Rent for 1-bedroom Apartment (Outside City Centre): AUD 2,000–2,800 per month.
• Sydney is known for its high rent, especially in the city centre and beachside suburbs like Bondi. The high demand, combined with limited housing supply, drives rental costs.
2. London, UK
• Average Rent for 1-bedroom Apartment (City Centre): GBP 2,000–3,200 per month (approx. AUD 3,800–6,000, CAD 3,400–5,400, NZD 4,100–6,700).
• Average Rent for 1-bedroom Apartment (Outside City Centre): GBP 1,500–2,000 per month.
• London is one of the most expensive cities globally for rent. Prices in central areas like Westminster, Chelsea, or Kensington are extremely high. However, rent can be more
affordable in outer zones, though still steep compared to most other cities.
• Rent costs in regional England are generally much lower than in London or other major cities like Manchester or Birmingham. However, prices can still vary based on the
specific region, proximity to transportation links, and local amenities.
3. Toronto, Canada
• Average Rent for 1-bedroom Apartment (City Centre): CAD 2,500–3,000 per month (approx. GBP 1,450–1,750, AUD 2,800–3,400, NZD 3,100–3,800).
• Average Rent for 1-bedroom Apartment (Outside City Centre): CAD 1,800–2,300 per month.
• Toronto has seen significant increases in rent over recent years, driven by population growth and high demand. City centre rent can be quite expensive, although prices are
still lower than in London or Sydney.
4. Auckland, New Zealand
• Average Rent for 1-bedroom Apartment (City Centre): NZD 2,500–3,500 per month (approx. AUD 2,250–3,200, GBP 1,200–1,700, CAD 2,000–2,800).
• Average Rent for 1-bedroom Apartment (Outside City Centre): NZD 1,800–2,500 per month.
• Auckland’s rental market has become increasingly expensive, particularly in central and desirable suburban areas. While cheaper than Sydney and London, it’s still costly
relative to incomes in New Zealand.
Summary of Rent Comparison (City Centre)
1. Most Expensive: London
(GBP 2,000–3,200 / AUD 3,800–6,000)
2. Second: Sydney
(AUD 3,200–4,000 / GBP 1,650–2,100)
3. Third: Toronto
(CAD 2,500–3,000 / GBP 1,450–1,750)
4. Least Expensive: Auckland
(NZD 2,500–3,500 / GBP 1,200–1,700)
Factors Influencing Rent:
• Sydney: High demand due to coastal living, strong job market, and limited housing supply.
• London: Global financial hub with immense housing demand in central areas.
• Toronto: Population growth, limited rental supply, and an increasing number of new immigrants and professionals.
• Auckland: New Zealand’s largest city, experiencing housing shortages and high demand.
If you’re considering moving or comparing cities for affordability, London and Sydney are often the most expensive options, with Toronto and Auckland being somewhat more
affordable but still costly depending on the neighbourhood.
Tips when renting in the UK:
• Don’t try and live alone in central London
• Consider staying away from Zones 1-3 and live on the outer and fringes of London for a more affordable rental.
• Share with friends or join a share house. More flatmates usually means lower costs.
• Consider living and working in a less expensive part of the UK ( but remember teachers gain a London ‘loading’ of additional pay to try and cover the costs of teaching and
living in the capital.
I hope this has been helpful!
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