Is 35k a Good Salary in London? Here's What You Need to Know

Understanding the Cost of Living in London

Well, first off, let me just say that London is expensive—like, jaw-droppingly so. If you’ve been considering a move to the city or have just been offered a job at £35k per year, you’re probably wondering if that’s going to be enough to live comfortably.

Honestly, when I first moved to London, I thought I could get by on less, and let’s just say I quickly realized I was wrong. Renting an apartment, transportation, food—it all adds up faster than you’d think.

Housing: The Biggest Expense

So let’s break it down, shall we? Housing is by far the biggest chunk of your budget. A decent one-bedroom flat in central London can easily cost £1,500–£2,000 per month. Outside of the city center, you might be looking at £1,200–£1,500 for something reasonable. That’s a lot, right?

When you’re on a £35k salary, you’re going to be looking at around £2,000–£2,400 in rent annually. If you’re renting with flatmates, you can reduce the cost, but keep in mind that commuting from further out adds up. Transport in London isn’t cheap either, so you’ll need to factor in your travel expenses.

Can You Actually Live on £35k in London?

Alright, let’s be real here. £35k in London doesn’t exactly scream luxury, but it’s not disastrous either. It's really about how you manage your budget.

Transportation Costs

For commuting, you’re probably going to be using public transport—unless you’re lucky enough to live within walking distance of work. A Travelcard for zones 1-2 costs around £150-£160 per month. Multiply that by 12, and you’re looking at roughly £1,800/year. Add that to your rent, and the bills are already piling up.

Food and Essentials

Now, food. Honestly, you can live on £35k, but you’ll have to be careful. If you like to cook at home, you can make your budget stretch further. A weekly grocery shop might set you back £30–£50, depending on how much you splurge on the weekends. If you’re eating out a lot, though, that cost can quickly shoot up. Think £10-£15 for a simple lunch and £30+ for a dinner at a mid-range restaurant.

How Does £35k Compare to the Average Salary in London?

It’s actually interesting to look at how £35k compares to the London average salary. The median salary in London is about £40,000 a year, according to recent data, so you’re below the average, but not by much. However, remember that median means that half of people earn more than £40k and half earn less.

So, while £35k isn’t “bad,” it’s definitely on the lower end. If you’re someone with big savings goals or luxury lifestyle aspirations, you might struggle a bit. But hey, if you’re smart with budgeting and you’re okay with a bit of sacrifice, you can make it work.

What About Savings and Extras?

Let’s get down to the real question: Can you save on a £35k salary? Well, it depends. Personally, when I started out in London on a similar salary, I barely saved anything. But as I adapted, I found ways to keep a little for the future.

Setting Aside Savings

If you’re determined to save, £35k can work. Ideally, you should aim to save around 10-15% of your salary, which would be roughly £3,500-£5,250 per year. However, this requires discipline—cutting back on dining out, avoiding unnecessary shopping, and making use of any free entertainment London offers. It’s possible, but not easy.

Emergency Fund and Lifestyle Choices

But let’s be honest here. If you’ve got an emergency fund to build or want to save for a big trip, it might feel a bit tight. After rent, bills, and transport, you’ll need to prioritize what’s really important. It’s not an "easy" salary, but if you live frugally, it’s doable.

My Personal Experience With £35k in London

Okay, let me share a quick anecdote. I once had a friend who started a new job in London at £35k, and after a few months, she was struggling. Why? Because she didn’t factor in all the small costs—like the daily coffee habit or the impulse buying from those cute pop-up shops in Shoreditch.

She eventually had to adjust her lifestyle, cutting back on her social life and looking for cheaper alternatives for things like food delivery and going out. But after some trial and error, she found a rhythm that worked.

Honestly, I’ve been there. And while it’s not glamorous, you can make £35k work with a bit of planning. Is it the dream salary? Not really. But it’s not the end of the world either.

Conclusion: Is £35k a Good Salary in London?

Well, after diving into the details, I can say that £35k in London is okay, but not perfect. It’s enough to get by—if you’re careful with your spending. It’s not the salary you’ll retire on, but it can provide a comfortable, modest lifestyle if you manage your finances well.

If you want to live in the city comfortably, be prepared to make sacrifices and plan ahead. It’s definitely not a salary that will allow you to live luxuriously in central London, but with the right budgeting and a bit of compromise, you can certainly make it work.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.