How to figure equivalent lifestyle cost?

In my intro post I mentioned that I was considering a move from the Pac NW to London.

Are there any calculators that will show what I need to make in London to be equivalent to what I'm making in Seattle? I've seen plenty of cost of living calcs for the US but none for international. I'm trying to get an idea of what I'd need to make in London to be similar to a ~$125K usd salary in the Seattle area? 

Hi there. I actually had a similar question in this thread earlier, since I am moving to Birmingham early next year. From what I can see, there are a number of different factors that will influence how much you will have to earn to have the same quality of life. Not just average income levels and exchange rates. There is definitely more excess in most aspects of life in the States, so to compensate for that, you need to adjust your salary upward. Also, keep in mind that tax rate for income over GBP37K is taxable at 40%. London is also very expensive.

Don't take my word for it, but I would say that to enjoy the same standard of living you get in Pac NW for $125K, you will need to make about GBP90K in London. At the same time, from what I understand, you should be able to afford a nice lifestyle for GBP60K.

Assumptions, right or wrong, that went into my rough calculation: (1) Cost of living in London is comparable to that in NYC, and thus approx. 25% more expensive than Seattle; (2) According to what I have figured from my inquiries on this forum by figuring out how much I would have to earn to have the same lifestyle in a market in the UK that is similar to where I live now, I came up with an adjustment factor of .63 (which is actually almost identical to the exchange rate). After taking into account other stochastic variables, I came up with the floor of GBP90K.

Hi Rems,
I'm finding the international calculators are ones you need to pay for in order to gain access. I just did a quick search, used to be some free ones - perhaps try some of the larger recruitment companies who deal with international candidates to see if they have any.

A $125K salary is approximatley 3 times the national US average salary of around $37-39K USD so in 'simple' terms a three times the UK average of around £23K is about £70K. However you mention 'Equivalent lifestyle cost' and that's where things get a little more complicated. The two are different things.
Have a look through the many posts here about cost of living and salary etc - you need to asses the aspects of your lifestyle you have and enjoy, look at the realistic levels of pay you can get with your skills in the UK - be it a job or your own business, and then compare the costs of doing the 'same' things you enjoy with the disposable income you have left over at the end of each month say to get a good idea of the salary you want to bring in and can get compared to what you'd like to continue being used to. You don't mention the industry or business you are in, but overall, jobs that are advertised that pay over £60K are very few and far between, and get much more rarer the higher you go. Anything usually advertised at £70,80,90 100K plus is almost invariably to do with the medical, Law, company director level.

It's fairly easy to research elements of your lifestyle for UK costs, by visiting websites to do with those - gym membership, cars, clothes, restaurants, holidays etc etc can all be found easily. The more 'usual' and basic requirements of Rent, Mortgages, utilities, insurances, taxes, etc etc can also be relatively easy to get ballpark fgures from websites too.

Good luck & hope this helps!
Cheers DtM! west London & Slough UK!

Ahum Dennis, I did a quick calculation and the average UK weekly wage works out to $19 per  hour. What are you trying to do, start a mass emigration to the UK?

I realize you said the average wage.

This said another way. We probably have millions of people here who would wish for that kind of wage. We wont even talk about 4 weeks annual holiday and free medical care.

Anyway I think we have run this into the ground, in the past, but thanks for posting the annual average wage.