At a glance
| Factor | London | New Delhi |
|---|---|---|
| Average secondary school fees | GBP 28,000 to 45,000 at secondary | INR 7 lakh to 15 lakh at secondary, roughly USD 8,500 to 18,000 |
| Dominant curricula | British, IB, American | IB, IGCSE plus IB, Indian CBSE and ICSE plus international |
| Family visa pathway | Skilled Worker, Global Talent or High Potential Individual visa | Employment visa plus dependant visa |
| Expat share of population | about 37 percent of Greater London is foreign-born | around 50,000 expats across Greater Delhi |
| Typical family neighbourhood housing | a four-bedroom family home in a school catchment runs GBP 4,500 to 9,000 per month | a four-bedroom house in Vasant Vihar or DLF runs INR 250,000 to 500,000 per month |
| Climate profile | temperate maritime, cool damp winters around 6 degrees Celsius, mild summers around 22 degrees Celsius | humid subtropical, very hot summers above 40 degrees Celsius, cool winters around 12 degrees Celsius, severe winter air pollution |
London and New Delhi attract different families. Each city offers world-class international schools, but the school markets are structured differently and so is the cost of raising children inside them. Cross-reference fees on our fees hub and run both cities through the cost calculator before you decide. The pillar pages London and New Delhi have the deeper school directory for each side.
Schools landscape side by side
London's market is one of the deepest in the world, with around 35 fully international schools and another 200 British independent schools that admit expat children. The flagships families shortlist most often are ACS Cobham and Hillingdon, the American School in London, the International School of London, Halcyon, Southbank International, Hampton, Westminster, St Paul's and Wetherby. Demand peaks at Year 7 and Year 9 entry points for British privates, with entry exams that need lead time.
New Delhi's international sector is concentrated and competitive, with around 20 fully international and elite K-12 schools. The names families shortlist most often are the American Embassy School in Chanakyapuri, the British School in Chanakyapuri, Pathways School Noida and Aravali, Shiv Nadar School, DPS International, Step by Step Noida and the Lancers International. Demand peaks at IB Diploma seats at AES and BSD, which fill in the autumn before the August intake.
Not sure which city fits your family?
Take the 5 minute school finder quiz, then run the cost calculator for both cities. You get shortlisted schools plus a side by side relocation budget in under ten minutes.
Fees and value for money
London fees for secondary at fully international schools run GBP 28,000 to 38,000, with the top British independents charging GBP 30,000 to 45,000 at day and considerably more for boarding. Our London British schools guide covers the all-in load. New Delhi's premium schools sit at INR 7 lakh to 15 lakh, which is roughly USD 8,500 to 18,000. American Embassy School is the outlier at the top of the band. Year 1 admission and deposit costs of INR 50,000 to 2 lakh are normal, plus board exam fees outside tuition.
Curriculum availability
London offers every major curriculum, with British schools by far the most numerous and IB strong at ACS, ISL and the Southbank network. New Delhi is IB and IGCSE plus IB dominant at the international tier, with Indian CBSE and ICSE as the strongest national alternatives. For a child likely to apply to UK or US universities, London is the more direct fit. For a child whose family expects to stay in India long term, New Delhi's international schools deliver IB Diploma at a fraction of London prices. See the IB hub for the portable middle path.
Neighbourhoods families pick
In London, school families cluster in Notting Hill, Kensington, Chelsea, Hampstead, St John's Wood, Wimbledon, Richmond and Cobham. School-bus routes are dense for the international schools, with most British privates using public transport. A four-bedroom family home in those catchments runs GBP 4,500 to 9,000 per month. In New Delhi, families weighing international school provision live in Vasant Vihar, Chanakyapuri, Shanti Niketan and DLF Phase 1 to 5 in Gurgaon. A four-bedroom house in those catchments runs INR 250,000 to 500,000 per month, often with staff and a garden.
Lifestyle and climate
London offers depth across culture, healthcare and weekend travel, with the trade-off being weather, tax and a property market that consumes most of a senior salary. New Delhi offers space, household help and one of the world's great food cultures, with the trade-off being seasonal air pollution that closes schools in November and December and infrastructure that varies sharply by neighbourhood. London wins on healthcare and predictability; New Delhi wins on lifestyle warmth and disposable income for senior staff.
Verdict: who picks which city
Choose London for academic depth, healthcare and an English-speaking system end to end. Choose New Delhi for space, staff, and rapid career growth in one of the world's fastest-growing economies. Most families we work with run both cities through the school finder quiz and the cost calculator before deciding, because lifestyle preferences usually decide it once school fit is secured.
Frequently asked questions
Is London or New Delhi cheaper for international school families in 2026?
New Delhi is materially cheaper, with international school tuition around 30 to 50 percent of London prices and housing at less than a third of London rents. London wins back on healthcare access and air quality.
Which city has better international schools?
London has more schools and deeper choice across every curriculum. New Delhi has fewer schools but the top names AES and BSD deliver IB Diploma at a level comparable to London's international flagships.
Is the family visa easier in London or New Delhi?
London's Skilled Worker visa is well-trodden but slow and expensive. New Delhi's employment visa is fast once an offer is in place, with dependant visas attached automatically.
Should we pick London or New Delhi if we may move again in three years?
London is easier for the children to slot back into a UK or US system later. New Delhi is fine for a three-year posting if you target an IB school for continuity.
Where do most international school families live in each city?
London families pick Notting Hill, Kensington, Hampstead, St John's Wood, Wimbledon, Richmond and Cobham. New Delhi families pick Vasant Vihar, Chanakyapuri, Shanti Niketan and DLF Phase 1 to 5 in Gurgaon.
