London vs Berlin: Which City Is Best in 2024?

Living abroad is invigorating! But it comes with various challenges. One of the main hurdles in moving abroad is choosing the appropriate place. 

When deciding between London and Berlin, It’s hard to determine which city is superior and more suitable for living or visiting. Where London is a crowded place, offering lots of cool, hip places, restaurants, and nightlife, Berlin ensures the quality of life, breathtaking scenes, and a peaceful environment. Both cities provide rich history and vibrant cultures, making it more difficult to choose one. Don’t worry! We’ve created this guide to help you choose the right fit for you. 

In this article, we’ll shed light on the similarities and differences between London and Berlin, their distinctive factors, and their pros & cons.  

Top 12 Distinctive Factors of London vs Berlin 

Following are the main distinctive factors of London and Berlin.

• Population Density
• The Weather 
• Nature & Outdoor
• Cultural Diversity
• Tourist Attractions
• Art & Culture Festivals 
• Education System
• Freelance & Job Opportunities
• Transportation Infrastructure 
• Local Cuisine & Dining
• Cost of Living 
• Airports 

1. Population Density

According to 2024 statistics, the current metro area population of London is 9,748,000, an increase of 1.04% from 2023. When compared to 2022 data, the metro area population of London has increased 1.12% as it was 9,748,000 in 2023. Under the population projection, it has predicted that London’s population will reach up to 9.6 million by 2035. 

Berlin is considered as the largest city in Germany, and twice as small as London. The city has grown by  2,935 people in the last year. With a population of 5 million people from more than 180 countries, the city is the center of Berlin-Brandenburg Metropolitan region. Berlin has a current metro area population of 3,577,000. The current population of Berlin has increased 0.08% from 2023. This German city is famous as the second most populous city, and the 7th most populated urban region in the European Union.   

When comparing both cities, London is larger and more global. For people who want to feel like they’re in the middle of big business, innovation, culture, and creativity, then it’s a pro for them. Compared to Berlin (over 3.5 million people), London has a larger population of over 8 million individuals.

Read Also: Which Are the Most Populated Countries in Africa?

2. The Weather 

When talking about climate in London and Berlin, you’ll find a minor difference in their weather conditions as both cities fall under the same climate zone. Both cities ensure comfortable living, where you will experience primarily cold and mild temperatures all year round in January. 

London seldom experiences extreme cold during the winter season or stifling heat in the summer. January is the coldest month in London when the temperature can sink around 33 F (1C). Snow is pretty rare in the country, but typically falls in January or February. London’s temperature shifts to 18°C during the daytime of the warmest month, June.

In Berlin, the weather becomes hottest in July, while snowy from December to March. The annual average temperature of this city is recorded as 12 ºC. The explicit water presence in various parts of the city makes it windy and cloudy at times, allowing you to enjoy a shiny time while sunbathing.

3. Nature & Outdoor

Explore nature through outdoor activities in the Londinium. While strolling through London’s Royal parks, you can hire a deck chair in leafy Green Park or take time for reflection in Hyde Park. You can discover 12,000 roses of 85 varieties at Regent’s Park. Enjoy spotting out the pelican at St James’s Park and find the hot pink azaleas which are reflected in ponds and streams at Richmond Park. Go fishing in London or experience horse riding with friends. You can just take a bath in the forest bathing or simply visit Terrarium design school to learn to design, plant and sustain your own garden in a jar. 

A famous saying about Berlin is “ You’re never far from the water in Berlin.” This German city has beautiful lakes including the spreading Müggelsee and Wannsee, as well as the Spree and Havel Rivers and the Landehwer canal. Lush green forests, meadows, mountainous views and wild rivers represent the perfect picture of Berlin’s scenic beauty. 

Outdoor activities in Berlin tend to grow better daily without the chance of ceasing. The landscapes and some geographic landmarks including mountains contribute to many unusual sports to make them popular in the district. Explore nature in Berlin, with an abundance of gorgeous lakes, breathtaking scenes, and a peaceful environment.  

When comparing both cities regarding natural beauty, London comes out on top with 3,000 parks and green spaces. Whereas Berlin is on the second list with 2,500 parks. Visit parks and nature centers such as Tiergarten in Berlin and St. James Park in London to feel breathtaking nature and experience wildlife. 

4. Cultural Diversity

London is more diverse or multicultural, maintaining a larger variety of cultural living in the city. The reason is that the residents of London have parents who immigrated outside of the United Kingdom. Different nations across the globe are living together in London and contributing towards its diverse cultural patterns. 

When talking about the German City, Berlin, it is also famous as a city of culture and creativity worldwide. Many cultural entrepreneurs, young people and international artists prefer settling in this city which represents the diverse heritage of Berlin.  

5. Tourist Attractions

Although both cities offer several tourist attractions, London has a rich cultural history, allowing people to explore the world’s largest museums without any admission fee. London can be a great choice for artists and creatives, looking for rich history or studying art. The Old Smoke City is a great place, facilitating students with 65 museums and 13 more universities. From Buckingham Palace, and Piccadilly Circus to London Eye and Big Ben, you can explore the numerous important sights in London. 

Berlin, a capital city, showcases a rich history with incredible landmarks including the Berlin Philharmonic, Berlin Wall Memorial, Brandenburg Gate, and Museum Island. The top tourist spots are East Berlin, a huge number of monuments from World War II and the Cold War.

Read Also: Which Are the Most Polluted Cities in the UK?

6. Art & Culture Festivals 

London is a treasure trove of creativity for art enthusiasts. Enjoy a 2-week, family-friendly extravaganza “THE LONDON FESTIVAL” where you’ll be entertained with cultural events and historic wonders. With iconic venues like the Royal Opera House and major cultural events including Fashion Week or Notting Hill Carnival, London showcases a rich cultural heritage. 

You’ll never find a dull moment in Berlin. From art events to folk festivals, there’s something cherishing about this German City. Famous art and cultural festivals of Berlin are Brandenburger Tor Frühling, Berlin Pride, Berlin Art Week and JazzFest Berlin.  Various cultural festivals, art galleries, and theaters highlight Berlin’s dynamic art scene. 

7. Education System

An estimation revealed that 94% of schools are currently declared as good or outstanding in London. This is the highest percentage of any region in England. Find out the world’s best educational institutions and renowned universities in London, increasing the city’s global standard for academic excellence and research.

Out of so many great educational institutes in Londinium few are named as, University of London, University College London, King’s College London, SOAS University of London and Imperial College London. When discussing the city’s education system, we’ll come to know that London’s education system is divided into five main parts such as the early years, primary education, secondary education, college education and higher education. 

Primary education doesn’t last until the sixth grade in Berlin. The World Bank Data has recorded a literacy rate over 99% in Germany, making it reasonable to assume that Berlin as Germany’s capital spans similar figures. Free education initiative is primarily funded by the government, reflecting the country’s commitment to making higher education accessible to all. Famous Berlin’s universities are Freie Universität Berlin, Chartié Universitatsmedizin, ESMT Berlin, HTW Berlin and Berlin International University of Applied Sciences.  The German city is facilitating educational opportunities including international schools and universities, significantly highlighting the city’s commitment to provide a diverse and enhanced learning environment. 

Read Also: 10 Most Educated Countries In The World

8. Freelance & Job Opportunities

London’s job market is more messy than any other city, offering work options in finance, manufacturing, distribution, engineering, electronics, advertisement, healthcare, property, transportation, and many more. The reason may be the employment and work structure of this region. London is a great place to build a career. It’s a work-oriented society where the salaries are higher than other cities of the UK. Even though you’re not fluent in German, you can easily find a job in London.

The great job benefit Berlin has to offer is, it doesn’t burden employees and makes sure they have a better work-life balance. Compared to London, Berlin doesn’t allow for overtime work. This city prefers employee’s leisure time, facilitating them to cherish their lives. 

When talking about  Berlin and London, both cities have diverse economic structures, becoming a central hub for many world industries to thrive but London has more to offer for jobians. Many young people prefer to find an accurate job in this world’s famous work-oriented society, London. 

9. Transportation Infrastructure

Explore London’s extensive transportation network including London’s iconic underground, trains, and buses, facilitating convenient movement around each city’s corner. London underground or Tube has 11 lines covering 402 km, serving 272 stations and handling up to five million passenger journeys per day. 

Berlin’s transport is less crowded and cheaper than in London. An estimated 979 bridges cross 197 kilometers of inner city waterways, and 5,334 kilometers of runway roads including a motorway of 73 kilometers, are reflecting Berlin’s highly complex transportation infrastructure that ensures smooth urban mobility. You don’t need to worry about high fares in Berlin. Enjoy the convenient transportation with low fares here.

Getting around Berlin is easier than London due to various reasons such as London has larger land size, increased population density, and high fares. Berlin’s transportation includes buses, trams, the U-Bahn and S-Bahn systems, ensuring convenience for daily commuting. 

10. Local Cuisine & Dining

Experience the diverse gastronomy of London from multicultural dining options, and classic British fare to the thriving street food markets and local cuisine, showcasing the city’s rich culinary art. The food quality is higher in London. Also, the street food market scene is more developed, and well-organized, providing a variety of options due to the number of cultures living there. 

London is a great place where you can get the best versions of most traditional dishes. Enjoy your English Breakfast at Terry’s Cafe, Bangers and Mash at Mother Mash or Spaghetti Bolognese at E Pellicci. Don’t forget to try Fish and Chips from famous Brockley’s Rock. 

In Berlin, you’ll find several eateries which serve tasting German specialties like schnitzel and pork knuckle. Liver Berlin style, currywurst, kassler, roast goose, and bluetten are Berlin’s famous traditional dishes. Explore Berlin’s culinary scene, emphasizing traditional German dishes, international cuisine, and street food culture.
Read Also: Which Are the Most Dangerous Cities in the UK?

11. Cost of Living 

Before moving to London, you must be aware of the fact that many people spend half of their monthly income on rent. The average price for one bedroom is $2,500 in London. For a family of four, you’ll need almost $4,700 per month to maintain a basic standard of living there. 

With the higher charges for food, nightlife, bars, and hotels, London is more expensive than Berlin. Although Berlin is not much cheaper, it offers a lot of value for money if you’re traveling on a limited budget. 

Berlin is a better place for renters, ensuring they may feel secure and get a better value for their property. However, you need to navigate through the government’s policies and competition when finding a flat, but once you find it, consider it as your home. 

The major benefit Berlin has to offer is cheaper living. Compared to London, this city attracts lots of people by providing cost-effective living. In Berlin, you can grab a glass of beer just for €1, which is impossible in London. 

12. Airports 

London has several airports, allowing you to fly to various places. But they’re very crowded and expensive. When talking about famous London’s airports then we won’t neglect London City Airport, London Stansted Airport, Manston International Airport and London International Airport.  

Compared to London, you’ll find two small airports in Berlin, famous as Berlin Brandenburg and Berlin Tegel Airport. Both of them are easily accessible via normal public transport and are seldom crowded.    

Conclusion 

Choosing one out of London and Berlin isn’t easy as both provide numerous facilities, rich history and vibrant culture. While both cities share similarities of hospitable people and multicultural tapestry, they also differ in various aspects such as land size, population density, and language barrier. Consider certain factors including weather and attractions, diverse cuisine options, educational and work opportunities, cost of living, and safety, before making any decision. It’s recommended to choose wisely when deciding your living area.   

FAQ’s 

Is London better than Berlin?

Without a doubt, London offers a quality of life. Based on overall measurement standards, London is considered the best city in the world. However, deciding which city is best still depends on your preferences.

Which city is colder, London or Berlin?

Berlin is colder than London with an average mean temperature of 11.52°C (52.74°F). 

Which city is more expensive, London vs. Berlin?

With a 63% higher cost of living than Berlin, London is more expensive.