London vs Irvine, CA
Single · Comfortable · $3,000/mo
London is approximately 19% less expensive than Irvine, CA based on cost of living including rent. This makes London a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
London has a FIRE Score of 69/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 77, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: London is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
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Best in rowCanada
London
United States
Irvine, CA
Estimates from published local prices. N/A means no figure is published for that city.
About these cities
About London
London is a mid-sized Ontario city that quietly gets the basics right: a 60/100 cost of living index against New York, a safety index of 77/100, and a 1-bedroom downtown at $1,262/mo against an average net salary of $2,885/mo. The trade-off is scale and weather, with a continental climate and a population of 422 thousand that will feel small if you crave a true metropolis. It suits remote workers and students more than career climbers, and the 76/100 expat score is fair rather than glowing.
About Canada
Canada taxes hard: expect 33% federal plus up to 21.8% provincial, a real drag on FIRE math. A retirement visa exists, so retirees do have a potential entry path, though it's not always straightforward. But remote workers and digital nomads should look past this, given a 9/10 expat friendliness score and 379.96 Mbps average internet. A 1BR apartment averaging $1,304.56/mo confirms the tax hit is the real cost center here, not rent.
Irvine, CA costs roughly 75% less than London. Beyond cost, the two cities are closely matched — lifestyle fit and visa options are likely the deciding factors. Use our tool below to personalize the estimate based on your income and lifestyle.
London is approximately 19% less expensive than Irvine, CA based on cost of living including rent. This makes London a more budget-friendly option for expats considering a move.
London has a FIRE Score of 69/100, indicating its suitability for financial independence and early retirement. The city's safety index is 77, which is relatively safe.
Recommended profile: London is well-suited for retirees seeking a balanced lifestyle.
About London
London is a mid-sized Ontario city that quietly gets the basics right: a 60/100 cost of living index against New York, a safety index of 77/100, and a 1-bedroom downtown at $1,262/mo against an average net salary of $2,885/mo. The trade-off is scale and weather, with a continental climate and a population of 422 thousand that will feel small if you crave a true metropolis. It suits remote workers and students more than career climbers, and the 76/100 expat score is fair rather than glowing.
About Canada
Canada taxes hard: expect 33% federal plus up to 21.8% provincial, a real drag on FIRE math. A retirement visa exists, so retirees do have a potential entry path, though it's not always straightforward. But remote workers and digital nomads should look past this, given a 9/10 expat friendliness score and 379.96 Mbps average internet. A 1BR apartment averaging $1,304.56/mo confirms the tax hit is the real cost center here, not rent.
$984/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Irvine, CA
United StatesAbout Irvine, CA
Irvine is a well-oiled, deeply safe Orange County suburb with a 95/100 safety index and a crime index of just 5/100, and its Mediterranean climate makes year-round outdoor living genuinely easy. The trade-off is cost: a single adult needs roughly $2,038/mo for a mid-range life, and a city center one-bedroom runs $1,508/mo against an average net salary of $4,504/mo. With an expat score of 82/100 and a digital nomad score of 82/100, it suits remote workers and families who prize order over urban edge. If you want nightlife, grit, or cheap rent, look elsewhere.
About United States
Best for families seeking high English proficiency and excellent air travel access, with no retiree or digital nomad visa available. Internet speed of 390.28 Mbps and a large expat community support remote work, but the cost of living index is 100 (global baseline). Key trade-off: no retirement or digital nomad visa, and a complex pathway to residency or citizenship limits long-term stays.
$861/mo
Cost of Living (Without Rent)
Rent Per Month
Attractiveness
City Details
Which visa fits your move?
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| Metric | London | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| 1BR Apartment (Center) | $1261.88 | $1507.5 |
| 1BR Apartment (Outside) | $1141.08 | $1198.25 |
| 3BR Apartment (Center) | $2043.48 | $2763.33 |
| 3BR Apartment (Outside) | $1675.14 | $1929.67 |
| Safety Index | 77 | 95 |
| Internet Speed | 120Mbps | 200.1Mbps |
| Walkability Score | N/A | N/A |
Monthly cost by categoryOne person, computed from each city's own average prices
| Category | London | Irvine, CA |
|---|---|---|
| Total (rent included) | $2,016/mo | $2,139/mo |
| Excluding rent | $875/mo | $941/mo |
| Rent | $1,141/mo | $1,198/mo |
| Groceries | $248/mo | $205/mo |
| Dining out | $211/mo | $150/mo |
| Entertainment & lifestyle | $104/mo | $118/mo |
| Utilities & connectivity | $233/mo | $342/mo |
| Transport | $79.00/mo | $126/mo |
Usage-based estimates from this city's own average prices. A row marked N/A means that city is missing data, so no figure is shown instead of a stale one.
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