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Even if it feels like life in Britain is becoming less and less affordable with each day that passes, it\u2019s worth remembering (even if just for your sanity) that things could be worse.<\/p>\n
Rapidly rising food costs are an area of concern for many households in the UK, with the price of some weekly shop staples almost tripling over the last two years.<\/p>\n
While it\u2019s likely scant comfort to those struggling, it may surprise you to learn that those living across the pond actually spend more on buying the same items.<\/p>\n
After Abigael Lanai moved to London from Colorado, US, she posted a TikTok explaining that \u2018cheap groceries\u2019 were one of the things she liked most about her new home.<\/p>\n
\u2018Are we living in the same England?\u2019 joked one bemused commenter, which prompted Abigael to compare prices of a selection of everyday essentials in each country.<\/p>\n
She clarified first that the supermarkets featured were two she had frequented personally \u2013 Sainsbury\u2019s here and King Super\u2019s in Colorado \u2013 so there would be variations depending on where you live and shop.<\/p>\n
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Getting down to the numbers, Abigael went on to analyse a four-litre bottle of milk. In the US, this would set you back $2.49, while in the UK it was priced at \u00a31.65 (roughly $2). <\/p>\n
\u2018That\u2019s 50 cents or 40p more for the exact same item,\u2019 commented the nurse and vlogger.<\/p>\n
Next up was apples, coming in at up to 95 cents (79p) each over the Atlantic or 25p on the Sainsbury\u2019s website, meaning Americans are paying more than triple what Brits are for the fruit.<\/p>\n
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One of the biggest differences shown in the video was beef mince. As Abigael explained, a 500g packet of mince\u00a0costs \u00a31.99 (the equivalent of around $2.40), while at King Super\u2019s you\u2019re looking at $5.49 for the same amount.<\/p>\n
Carrots, meanwhile, are 50p (60 cents) per kilo here or $1.99 for 2.2lbs in the States: an expensive place to be a bunny rabbit owner.<\/p>\n
In the comments, a number of people pointed out that there were some caveats to Abigael\u2019s experiment.<\/p>\n
Replying to @SKTK IS THAT NOT CRAZY?? \ud83d\udc40 #americanlivinginengland #americanlivingintheuk #usavsuk #americangroceries #sainsburys #kingsoopers <\/p>\n
One user said they were \u2018shocked at how much cheaper\u2019 the UK was when they lived here in 2017, adding: \u2018Restaurants seemed more expensive, though.\u2019<\/p>\n
\u2018Depending on where you live in the US, you may have to pay sales tax also,\u2019 said another. \u20187% sales tax on groceries in my state!\u2019<\/p>\n
Others highlighted the fact the average wage in Britain is much lower than in the US, and as a result people would have more money to spend despite higher food prices.<\/p>\n
\u2018That definitely plays a role,\u2019 Abigael added. <\/p>\n
\u2018But for my family in particular, we went from being a two-income household because I was working full-time, to being a one-income household. And my husband makes the same amount, so his money goes a lot further here.\u2019<\/p>\n
We did our own comparison to see if Abigael\u2019s calculations stacked up, using prices from Walmart in the US and Asda here in the UK. We analysed some of the most common items in a weekly shopping, looking for equivalent items where possible (such as value ranges and package sizes) and going by the current exchange rate via Forbes.<\/p>\n
Semi-skimmed milk 128floz\/6 pint<\/strong><\/p>\n US: $3.20 (\u00a32.64)<\/p>\n UK: \u00a32.15<\/p>\n White bread \u2013 20oz\/566g loaf<\/strong><\/p>\n US: $1.46 (\u00a31.20)<\/p>\n UK: 75p<\/p>\n Large eggs \u2013 12<\/strong><\/p>\n US: $1.77 (\u00a31.46)<\/p>\n UK: \u00a32.95<\/p>\n Salted butter \u2013 16oz\/500g<\/strong><\/p>\n US: $3.78 (\u00a33.11)<\/p>\n UK: \u00a33.75<\/p>\n Kellogg\u2019s Corn Flakes \u2013 18oz\/720g<\/strong><\/p>\n US: $5.48 (\u00a34.51)<\/p>\n UK: \u00a33.29<\/p>\n Grated cheddar cheese 16oz\/500g<\/strong><\/p>\n US: $2.22 (\u00a31.83)<\/p>\n UK: \u00a32.80<\/p>\n Penne pasta<\/strong> \u2013 16oz\/500g<\/strong><\/p>\n US: $1.18 (96p)<\/p>\n UK: 75p<\/p>\n