London vs Tokyo

How to read the comparison chart

The grouped bars score each city 0–100 on cost, climate and safety — taller is better. London leads on any axis where its bar is higher, Tokyo where its is. The cost bar uses a higher-is-cheaper scale, so Tokyo's taller cost bar reflects its lower cost of living, not a higher price.

London vs Tokyo: the short answer

London comes out ahead on overall livability (58/100), modestly above Tokyo (55/100). The two cities diverge most on cost of living. On affordability Tokyo is the cheaper base — a wide gap on our cost index (London 6 vs Tokyo 21, where a higher score means a lower cost of living, normalised from World Bank price levels). For climate, Tokyo runs warmer in summer (about 26.9°C peak vs 17.7°C in London), while winter lows sit near 4.6°C in London and 5.6°C in Tokyo. On natural-disaster exposure London is the safer choice (safety 77/100); the dominant modelled hazard is flooding for London and earthquake for Tokyo.

Which city should you choose?

• On a tight budget → Tokyo — lower everyday costs.
• You want warmth → Tokyo — hotter summers.
• Safety is the priority → London — lower disaster risk.
• Best all-rounder → London — highest overall livability.

Data & methodology

Cost scores are normalised from World Bank price-level data. Climate figures (summer highs, winter lows) are drawn from 1991–2020 climate normals. Disaster-safety blends USGS earthquake history (magnitude 4.5+ within 300 km since 1980), tropical-cyclone basin position, flood/elevation exposure and Köppen climate zone. The livability score is the weighted composite of cost, climate and safety. All figures are planning indicators for 2026, not guarantees — verify specifics before relocating.

Compiled by the CityLivably data team from open public datasets (World Bank, USGS, climate normals).

FAQ

Is London or Tokyo better to live in?

London scores higher overall — 58 vs 55 on our 0–100 livability index, which weights cost, climate and safety.

Which is cheaper, London or Tokyo?

Tokyo has the lower cost of living (cost index 21 vs 6; higher = cheaper, from World Bank price levels).

Which is warmer, London or Tokyo?

Tokyo — summer highs reach about 26.9°C versus 17.7°C in London.

Which is safer from natural disasters, London or Tokyo?

London (disaster-safety 77/100). Main hazard: flooding in London, earthquake in Tokyo.

What is the main natural-disaster risk in London?

flooding is the dominant modelled hazard for London on our risk index.

How is the London vs Tokyo comparison calculated?

Cost comes from World Bank price levels, climate from 1991–2020 normals, and disaster risk from USGS earthquake data, cyclone-basin position and flood exposure; livability is their weighted composite.