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2025/26 Tax Year

London Salary Calculator

Calculate your take-home pay and see if your salary is competitive for London. Compare against average salaries and cost of living benchmarks.

London Salary Details

Calculate your London budget for 2025/26

£

London Budget Breakdown

£45,000 gross salary

£2,993.30
Monthly Take-Home Pay
Rent-£1,500.00
Transport-£180.00
Groceries & Bills-£450
Disposable Income£863.30
Rent as % of Net Income
50%
Very high - consider shared accommodation
Salary Assessment
Manageable - comfortable with careful budgeting

London Salary Benchmarks

How different salary levels translate to London lifestyle

Entry Level
£30,000
£2,093.30/month net

Tight budget, shared accommodation essential

Early Career
£40,000
£2,693.30/month net

Comfortable with flatshare, some savings possible

Mid-Level
£50,000
£3,293.30/month net

Can afford 1-bed outside Zone 1-2, or comfortable Zone 3+ living

Senior
£60,000
£3,779.78/month net

Comfortable lifestyle, can afford 1-bed in most areas

Management
£75,000
£4,504.78/month net

Very comfortable, choice of locations

Director+
£100,000
£5,713.12/month net

Premium locations, significant savings/investments

Typical London Monthly Costs

ExpenseTypical Cost
Room in shared house£900
Studio flat (Zone 2-3)£1,400
1-bed flat (Zone 2-3)£1,800
Transport (Zone 1-3)£180
Groceries£300
Utilities & bills£150
Total (with 1-bed)~£2,600

Costs vary significantly by area. Zone 1 adds 20-40% to rent.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a good salary in London?

A good salary in London is typically considered to be £50,000-£60,000 or more for a comfortable lifestyle. However, this depends on your circumstances - single professionals may be comfortable on £40,000+ while families often need £70,000+ to afford housing and childcare costs.

How much rent can I afford in London?

The general rule is to spend no more than 30-35% of your gross income on rent. On a £50,000 salary, this means around £1,250-£1,460 per month. In London, many people spend 40-50% on rent out of necessity.

What is London weighting?

London weighting is an additional payment (typically £3,000-£6,000) added to salaries for workers based in London to help offset the higher cost of living. It's common in public sector and large corporate roles.

Is £40,000 a good salary in London?

A £40,000 salary in London provides about £2,650 monthly take-home pay. This is manageable if you share accommodation (rent £800-1,200/month for a room) but challenging for renting alone. You'll need to budget carefully for living expenses.