Compare salaries, taxes, and living costs between United Kingdom and United States at every salary level.
United Kingdom operates a progressive (20–45%) + national insurance tax system, while United States uses a progressive (10–37%) approach. On a sample £50,000 salary, the take-home difference is approximately £1,520 per year, with monthly savings differing by around £197. United Kingdom's cost-of-living index sits at 1.00 versus 1.08 in United States (UK = 1.00), and average rent indices are 1.00 and 1.12 respectively.
Pick a salary band to see the full breakdown of tax, take-home pay, cost of living and monthly surplus:
Choosing between United Kingdom and United States isn't just about gross salary. The tax system you live under, the rent and groceries you'll pay, and the purchasing power of your local currency all combine to determine your real financial outcome. Our salary-specific pages model all three so you can see exactly how a given gross translates into monthly savings in each country.
Read the full United Kingdom guide · Read the full United States guide