ECONOMY & WORK
MONEY 101
NEWS
PERSONAL FINANCE
NET WORTH
About Us Contact Us Privacy Policy Terms of Use DMCA Opt-out of personalized ads
© Copyright 2023 Market Realist. Market Realist is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.
MARKETREALIST.COM / ECONOMY & WORK

American mom in London compares grocery prices between US and UK. The difference is eye-opening

She pointed out that average wages weren't very different at the time
UPDATED AUG 13, 2024
Cover image source: A trolley full of groceries in Cardiff. | Getty Images | Photo by Matthew Horwood
Cover image source: A trolley full of groceries in Cardiff. | Getty Images | Photo by Matthew Horwood

According to the latest government data, food inflation has fallen in recent weeks. However, this hasn't reduced the burden on consumers as grocery prices are still up by 25% since the pandemic, as per an Intuit Credit Karma report. While this is common across the globe, Americans seem to be feeling the heat a little more. A TikTok creator from the UK did a price comparison between grocery items in the U.K. and America and we are shocked. 

Screenshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai
Screenshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai

Creator and mom Abigael Lanai (@abigaellanai) posted the video last year. Lanai, who is originally from Colorado, currently lives in London, where she shops from the popular grocery chain Sainsbury's.

In the viral video, Lanai compares the prices of everyday grocery items from the U.K. chain with the prices of the same items from King Soopers, an American store she used to visit. 

The first item in her comparison was whole milk, which Lanai got from Sansbury's for £1.65 for 2.27 liters (about half a gallon). She then converts the cost to dollars which comes out to be $1.99. However, the price of half a gallon of milk from King Soopers was about $2.49, significantly higher than the UK. 

Screenshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai
Screenshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai

The next item that Lanai compares is apples. She shows that one red gala apple in the UK costs about £0.25 or $0.30. In America, the same apples were available in small and large sizes. The small went for $0.67 while the large went for $0.95, double and triple what it costs in the U.K. respectively. 

Screenshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai
Screenshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai

Lanai them comes to comparing ground beef. She shows that 500g (~1.1 pound) of minced beef costs £1.99 in the UK at the time. The same item should cost about $2.40 in the US after conversion. However, to no one's surprise, the same 80% lean ground beef in the US cost $5.49 at the time. 

Screenshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai
Screenshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai

Lastly, Lanai comes to veggies, comparing the price of a bag of carrots in the two countries. Lanai says that the item costs £0.50 in the U.K. which was about $0.60 at the time. Again, to no surprise, she shows that the same item in the US costs $1.99, or $1.39 more than the U.K.

Screeshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai
Screeshots from the video | TikTok | @abigaellanai

At the end, Lanai said that the prices may differ based on location and income disparity but she does mention that for their family, money goes a lot further in the UK.

Viewers of Lanai couldn't agree more. "I would spend maybe $500 euro a month for a family of 5 in Europe. In America I pay $900," commented user@hypercatalexis.

Screenshot from the comments | TikTok | @sofa28281
Screenshot from the comments | TikTok | @sofa28281

Meanwhile, some argued that the purchasing power of people in the two countries also varies according to the prices. "I think we need to look at this through relative purchasing power though, wages in the USA are far higher than the UK," mentioned user @beanbaginahurry.

However, Lanai clarified that the average wages did not differ by much at the time, which makes it cheaper for people in the U.K.

For more such comparisons, vlogs, and mom content follow Abigael Lanai (@abigaellanai) on TikTok.

MORE ON MARKET REALIST
The matter of healthcare has become a part of the wider affordability issue Americans face today.
10 hours ago
This was perhaps one of the rarest instances in the show's long and storied history.
10 hours ago
While share prices are down, there are a lot of things that one needs to consider before investing
12 hours ago
Ray had given his twin a piece of advice, but he emphasized the importance of having fun on the show.
13 hours ago
The contestants did not let the host off the hook easily, and Harvey was not too comfortable.
1 day ago
This is not a good look for the supermarket chain as infants' lives are at stake.
1 day ago
The protestors have voiced their concerns over the companies bowing down to the President's demands.
1 day ago
Albert Edwards has warned that there are some key elements which will make the fallout worse.
1 day ago
Recent reports suggest that while Walmart's sales have grown the last quarter, Target's are down.
1 day ago
The question might have been risky but everyone on the set seemed to have a great time with it.
4 days ago
Bonus Round winners are becoming few and far in between of late on the show.
4 days ago
The supermarket chain has never opened its doors on the festive day in the last five years.
4 days ago
This item was a favorite among shoppers, who were not happy when it was taken off the shelves
4 days ago
Reports suggest that the average price of a classic Thanksgiving meal has dropped considerably.
4 days ago
The government shutdown saw employment data being withheld, which is not an ideal situation.
5 days ago
The President does however have the people's confidence in issues such as immigration.
5 days ago
It was obviously a mistake without any malicious intent, and no one was slammed.
5 days ago
There are several other items on sale but these deals are a cut above the rest.
5 days ago
Despite an increase in supply, all is not well for people who seek affordable housing.
5 days ago