The Verdict
Living in Manchester is 20% more expensive than Porto.
If you move from Manchester to Porto, you will pay less for housing and less for daily groceries. To maintain the same standard of life as a £40,000 salary in Manchester, you would need to earn about £28,889 in Porto.
of 6 categories
categories
of 6 categories
Category Breakdown
Compare costs across 6 key categories
City Profiles
What makes each city unique
Why people love Manchester:
Why people love Porto:
Real Monthly Costs
Estimated costs based on London baseline prices
| Expense | Manchester | Porto | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed apartment (city centre) | £1,100 | £840 | £-260 |
| Monthly groceries | £333 | £217 | £-116 |
| Dining out (10 meals) | £200 | £120 | £-80 |
| Public transport pass | £136 | £104 | £-32 |
| Utilities (electric, heating, water) | £162 | £130 | £-32 |
| Total Monthly | £1,931 | £1,411 | £-520 |
* Estimates based on London = 100 index. Actual costs vary by lifestyle and location within city.
Who Should Choose Which City?
Recommendations based on your priorities
- Want higher earning potential (£2,600/mo avg)
- Work in tech or startups
- Want lower overall living costs (20% cheaper)
- Are looking for more affordable housing
- Have children (lower childcare costs)
- Work in tech or startups
Quality of Life & Safety
Beyond just costs - what matters for daily life
Quality of Life Score
Quality of Life Score
Safety Score
Safety Score
Salary Equivalence
How much you'd need in Porto to match a Manchester salary
| Salary in Manchester | Equivalent in Porto | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| £30,000 | £21,667 | £8,333 less |
| £40,000 | £28,889 | £11,111 less |
| £50,000 | £36,111 | £13,889 less |
| £60,000 | £43,333 | £16,667 less |
| £80,000 | £57,778 | £22,222 less |
| £100,000 | £72,222 | £27,778 less |
Manchester vs Porto: Summary
The overall cost of living differs by 20%. Porto is the more affordable option.
Rent: Manchester has a rent index of 55, while Porto has 42.
Average Salaries: Manchester: £2,600/month vs Porto: £1,204/month (both in GBP).
Out of 6 categories, Manchester wins 0, while Porto wins 6.
Compare more cities or calculate your UK take-home pay.