China

Compared with United Kingdom, using real observed prices.

Baseline: United Kingdom = 1×

China vs

United Kingdom

Overall verdict

China is about 0.55× United Kingdom.

Average across 5 categories, 7 items with data

The shape of prices (vs United Kingdom = 1×)

How to read this

The centre line is United Kingdom. A bar running right means China is pricier; running left means cheaper. The thin bar behind shows the range from the cheapest to the priciest item in that category.

← Cheaper than

United Kingdom United Kingdom = 1×

China is pricier →

📱 Electronics 1 item

×0.83
🎟 Leisure 1 item

×0.66
⛽ Transport 2 items

×0.52
🍔 Food & Dining 1 item

×0.52
⚡ Utilities 2 items

×0.33

Thin bar shows the range (cheapest to priciest item in the category)

In China, iPhone (base model, base storage) costs 0.8× what it does in United Kingdom — but Electricity 1kWh (household) costs only 0.2×. Calling this country simply "expensive" hides a gap this wide.

Real prices. Real sources. Real dates.

iPhone (base model, base storage) 1 unit ×0.83

China £663.60 CNY 5,999

United Kingdom £799.00 GBP 799

Observed 2026-07-27 · Apple official online store
PC game (Cyberpunk 2077) 1 game ×0.66

China £32.96 CNY 298

United Kingdom £49.99 GBP 49.99

Observed 2026-07-27 · Steam Store
Natural gas 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.58

China £0.04 USD 0.051

United Kingdom £0.07 USD 0.088

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Gasoline 1L 1 L ×0.58

China £0.89 USD 1.179

United Kingdom £1.54 USD 2.037

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Big Mac 1 burger ×0.52

China £2.74 CNY 25.5

United Kingdom £5.29 GBP 5.29

Observed 2026-01-01 · The Economist Big Mac Index
Diesel 1L 1 L ×0.47

China £0.79 USD 1.045

United Kingdom £1.69 USD 2.235

Observed 2026-07-20 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com
Electricity 1kWh (household) 1 kWh ×0.19

China £0.06 USD 0.076

United Kingdom £0.30 USD 0.402

Observed 2026-04-01 · GlobalPetrolPrices.com