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Is it better to live in London or commute?

It really depends where you'll choose to live. Commuting can be very expensive and stressful as trains are often late when not cancelled. Some commuting towns are still expensive too. You'll have to do some research into that but with the salary you mention you should be able to live in London itself.



In 2026, the choice between living in London or commuting depends largely on your lifestyle priorities and hybrid work schedule. With London rents at historic highs, many professionals have joined the "London Exodus," moving to "donut" towns like Reading, St Albans, or Woking. Living in London offers the advantage of zero commute time, easy access to world-class nightlife, and no reliance on expensive rail season tickets (which can cost over £5,000 annually). However, commuting from the Home Counties often provides a significantly higher quality of life, including more square footage, a private garden, and better access to green spaces. For those working in the office only 2–3 days a week, commuting has become the preferred financial choice, whereas those who value the "24-hour city" energy and short walks to work still find the high cost of London living worthwhile.

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According to a new study of 53 cities, London came in sixth in a list of the worst cities in the world for commuting. The data shows that Londoners each lost 75 hours stuck in traffic jams last year, while the average time spent commuting was 47 minutes one-way.

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The U.S. Census Bureau defines extreme commuters as workers who travel 90 minutes or more each way to work.

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