Question 1

How much purchasing power does 100 USD in New York represent in London?

Accepted Answer

Per World Bank PPP, 100 USD in New York (United States) has roughly the same spending power as 66 GBP in London (United Kingdom). This isn't a bank exchange rate — it's "how much local currency you'd need for the same standard of living".

Question 2

Why is this different from the exchange rate?

Accepted Answer

Bank rates reflect currency markets; PPP reflects domestic goods and services prices. The two often diverge meaningfully, especially between developed and developing economies.

Question 3

How accurate is the New York–London comparison?

Accepted Answer

World Bank PPP data is country-level, so the same figure applies to every city in a country. New York stands in for United States and London for United Kingdom. Monthly refresh with a 12-18 month publication lag.

New York vs London — purchasing power

Other city comparisons