What is the cost of living in the UK per month?
Monthly Living Costs in the UK
Expense | Monthly Cost (GBP) | Monthly Cost (INR) |
Housing (Rent) | £500 – £700 | ₹50,000 – ₹70,000 |
Food & Groceries | £100 – £200 | ₹10,000 – ₹20,000 |
Gas & Electricity | £60 | ₹6,000 |
Internet | £40 | ₹4,000 |
Mobile Phone | £50 | ₹5,000 |
Laundry | £25 | ₹2,500 |
Books & Stationery | £20 – £40 | ₹2,000 – ₹4,000 |
Clothing | £50 – £75 | ₹5,000 – ₹7,500 |
Transport | £30 – £40 | ₹3,000 – ₹4,000 |
Movie Ticket | £9 | ₹900 |
Meal at a Restaurant | £15 | ₹1,500 |
Cost of Living in UK based on family members/student
1. Cost of living in UK for family of four
Monthly costs for a four-member household range from £4,000 up to £4,500 to cover housing expenses alongside food expenditures and transportation needs and utility payments. The expenses tend to be lower when residing in smaller towns.
2. Cost of living in UK for family of two
A British couple needs between £2,500 and £3,000 each month to afford rent and utility bills while meeting their essential requirements. Two people who share a residence experience lower expenses since they must split their expenses.
3. Cost of living in UK as student
University students in the UK must afford between £1000 and £1600 monthly based on their housing choices between shared houses, private flats, and student dormitories.
Cost of Accommodation in the UK
Average Apartment Rental Costs in Major UK Cities
City | Type of Apartment | Approx. Monthly Rent (£) | Approx. Monthly Rent (INR) |
London | 1-bedroom (central area) | £1,799 | ₹1,79,900 |
1-bedroom (suburban area) | £1,309 | ₹1,30,900 | |
3-bedroom (central area) | £3,309 | ₹3,30,900 | |
3-bedroom (suburban area) | £2,183 | ₹2,18,300 | |
Manchester | 1-bedroom (central area) | £925 | ₹92,500 |
1-bedroom (suburban area) | £650 | ₹65,000 | |
3-bedroom (central area) | £1,738 | ₹1,73,800 | |
3-bedroom (suburban area) | £1,050 | ₹1,05,000 | |
Edinburgh | 1-bedroom (central area) | £926 | ₹92,600 |
1-bedroom (suburban area) | £717 | ₹71,700 | |
3-bedroom (central area) | £1,845 | ₹1,84,500 | |
3-bedroom (suburban area) | £1,110 | ₹1,11,000 | |
Cardiff | 1-bedroom (central area) | £763 | ₹76,300 |
1-bedroom (suburban area) | £613 | ₹61,300 | |
3-bedroom (central area) | £1,717 | ₹1,71,700 | |
3-bedroom (suburban area) | £1,008 | ₹1,00,800 |
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Average rent in UK based on region
City | vs. New York (US) | vs. Amsterdam (NL) | vs. Warsaw (PL) | vs. Istanbul (TR) | vs. Delhi (IN) | vs. Karachi (PK) |
London | 24% cheaper | 21% more expensive | 111% more expensive | 154% more expensive | 371% more expensive | 420% more expensive |
Manchester | 49% cheaper | 19% cheaper | 41% more expensive | 70% more expensive | 216% more expensive | 245% more expensive |
Birmingham | 53% cheaper | 26% cheaper | 29% more expensive | 55% more expensive | 188% more expensive | 215% more expensive |
Glasgow | 51% cheaper | 22% cheaper | 37% more expensive | 64% more expensive | 205% more expensive | 235% more expensive |
Belfast | 46% cheaper | 19% cheaper | 28% more expensive | 35% more expensive | 145% more expensive | 170% more expensive |
Cardiff | 45% cheaper | 17% cheaper | 31% more expensive | 38% more expensive | 151% more expensive | 180% more expensive |
Transportation costs in UK
1. Public Transportation Costs
Public transport is the cheapest way to travel. It is best for people in cities. Monthly passes help save money. The cost depends on the place and type of transport.
Type of Public Transport | Average Monthly Cost (£) |
Bus (Urban) | £55 – £85 |
Train (Regional) | £110 – £210 |
Subway/Metro | £65 – £110 |
Tram | £55 – £95 |
Note: Prices depend on location and type of pass.
2. Fuel Costs
Fuel prices change with the market. Costs depend on the vehicle and how it uses fuel. Driving habits also affect expenses. Electric cars cost less per month than petrol or diesel cars.
Vehicle Type | Average Fuel Efficiency (MPG) | Average Monthly Fuel Cost (£) |
Petrol Cars | 42 MPG | £85 – £125 |
Diesel Cars | 27 MPG | £130 – £210 |
Electric Vehicles | N/A | £35 – £65 (charging costs) |
Note: Estimates are based on an average driving distance of 500 miles per month.
3. Car Maintenance Costs
A car needs regular care to run well. This helps avoid big repair costs. Servicing and changing tyres are important long-term costs.
Maintenance Type | Average Annual Cost (£) |
Oil Changes | £110 – £160 |
Tyre Replacement | £220 – £520 |
General Servicing | £160 – £320 |
Unexpected Repairs | £600 – £1,200+ |
Note: Costs vary based on the type of car and frequency of use.
Cost of food in the UK
1. Restaurant and Bar Prices in the UK
The UK offers a wide range of dining options, from budget-friendly meal deals to fine dining experiences. Prices vary by city, with London generally being the most expensive.
Item | Price Range (£) | Details |
Pub Breakfast (Wetherspoons) | £6 (Leeds) / £9 (London, Brighton) | Varies by city |
Dinner for Two (Good Restaurant) | £45–100 | Quality restaurant |
Inexpensive Restaurant | ~£15 per person | Casual Dining |
Fast Food Combo Meal | ~£7 | Burger, fries, and drink |
Supermarket Meal Deal | £3–5 | Sandwich/wrap, chips, drink |
Greggs Meal Deal | £3–5 | Hot or cold meal options |
Pint of Beer | ~£4 (£6 in London, Manchester) | Price varies by city |
Glass of Wine | £5–6 | Depends on type and quality |
Cocktails / Mixed Drinks | £6–15 | Higher-end bars are pricier |
2. Average Household and Grocery Costs in the UK (2025)
The cost of living in the UK includes various expenses, with groceries being a significant part of the household budget. Prices vary depending on where you shop, with budget-friendly options like Lidl and Aldi and premium stores like Waitrose and M&S.
Category | Item | Average Price (£) |
Household Expenses | Average weekly household spend | 567.70 |
Average weekly grocery bill | 62.00 | |
Groceries | 1L of milk | 1.01 |
Loaf of white bread | 1.04 | |
1kg of rice | 1.39 | |
Eggs (carton of 12) | 2.12 | |
1kg local cheese | 5.91 | |
Alcoholic Beverages | Mid-range bottle of wine | 8–12 |
Bottle of beer | 2.00 | |
1L bottle of liquor (popular brands) | 25.00 |
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Healthcare and dental costs in the UK
Planning for healthcare expenses is essential when budgeting for life in the UK. The NHS provides affordable medical care, while private health insurance offers quicker access to specialists and additional services.
Healthcare Service | Average Cost (£) |
NHS Services | |
NHS Dental Charges | 25 – 300 |
NHS Prescription Charges | 10.00 |
3-Months PPC (Prescription Prepayment Certificate) | 32.00 |
12-Months PPC | 115.00 |
Private Healthcare | |
Private Consultation | 100 – 250 |
Private MRI Scan | 400 – 800 |
Private Surgery (e.g., Knee Replacement) | 7,000 – 15,000 |
Physiotherapy Session (Private) | 50 – 100 |
Health Insurance Premium (Annual) | 1,200 – 2,500 |
Cost of utilities and bills in UK
The British cost of living is dramatically affected by utility payments which include electricity usage along with gas services and water supply as well as internet connectivity. The price of goods depends on where you live and the dimensions of your property in addition to the purposes for which you use them.
In 2024, gas prices fell by 26.5%, and electricity prices dropped by 13%. On average, households spend around 4% of their budget on fuel. Below is a detailed table of estimated utility costs.
Items | Cost (£) | Cost (INR) |
Annual fuel expenses | £1,131 | ₹1,13,100 |
Monthly electricity cost | £34 | ₹3,400 |
Annual water and sewerage bill | £400 | ₹40,000 |
Broadband (Internet & TV) | £27.50 | ₹2,750 |
Estimated monthly utility cost for a family of four | £291.08 | ₹29,108 |
Estimated monthly utility cost for a single person | £142.69 | ₹14,269 |
Monthly gas, electricity, and water (if not included in rent) | £155 | ₹15,500 |
Basic utilities (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Garbage, Water, Laundry) | £160 | ₹16,000 |
Internet (Unlimited, 60 Mbps) | £10 | ₹1,000 |
Living Expenses in UK based on cities for international students
The cost of living in the UK depends on the city. London is the most expensive and needs about £1,500 per month for one person. This is because rent and food are costly. But there are more job chances.
Other cities like Glasgow, Cardiff, Manchester, and Birmingham are cheaper. Small towns cost even less.
Cost of Living in Student Cities
City | Monthly Cost (£) | Yearly Cost (£) | Monthly Cost (INR) | Yearly Cost (INR) |
London | £966 | £11,592 | ₹96,600 | ₹11,59,200 |
Manchester | £752 | £9,024 | ₹75,200 | ₹9,02,400 |
Edinburgh | £717 | £8,604 | ₹71,700 | ₹8,60,400 |
Glasgow | £749 | £8,988 | ₹74,900 | ₹8,98,800 |
Coventry | £683 | £8,196 | ₹68,300 | ₹8,19,600 |
Nottingham | £747 | £8,964 | ₹74,700 | ₹8,96,400 |
Birmingham | £688 | £8,256 | ₹68,800 | ₹8,25,600 |
Aberdeen | £685 | £8,220 | ₹68,500 | ₹8,22,000 |
Newcastle | £730 | £8,760 | ₹73,000 | ₹8,76,000 |
Brighton | £793 | £9,516 | ₹79,300 | ₹9,51,600 |
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Education cost in UK
Study Costs in the UK
Studying in the UK is costly. International students pay more than UK students. Fees depend on the course.
- Undergraduate: £20,500 – £45,000 per year
- Postgraduate: £19,000 – £58,000 per year
- Visa money needed:
- London: £1,334 per month (£12,006 per year)
- Other cities: £1,023 per month (£9,207 per year)
School and University Costs
School/University | Yearly Cost (£) |
Kindergarten (London) | £7,212 |
Private School | £17,863 |
University College London | £22,200 – £35,100 |
University of Manchester | £20,000 – £47,000 |
University of South Wales | £13,700 – £15,500 (Scholarships: £1,500 – £2,500) |
Tips to save money to live in UK
- To avoid high housing costs choose either small city rentals or shared apartments
- Student populations should employ public transit systems while obtaining travel passes with their student discounts
- A smart shopping approach involves purchasing food items from budget supermarkets along with Aldi and Lidl.
- Preparing meals at home will help students reduce their expenses instead of choosing restaurants.
- Accessing free National Health Service medical care enables students to cut their healthcare costs.
- Discount cards available for travel together with food and shopping allow reduced prices.
- People can lower their monthly utility expenses through energy-saving practices and choosing energy-efficient applications.
- Second-hand purchases of furniture electronics and clothing will provide better value than buying new items
- Free leisure activities such as visiting public parks along with visiting libraries and attending free events offer enjoyment to residents.
- The use of budgeting apps helps track expenses in order to identify wasteful spending that should be reduced.
Country wise Cost of Living
Rank | City | Cost of Living Index | Rent Index | Cost of Living + Rent Index | Groceries Index | Restaurant Price Index | Local Purchasing Power Index |
1 | London | 78.5 | 67.1 | 73.5 | 62.9 | 79.3 | 102.6 |
2 | Brighton | 66.3 | 42.5 | 55.8 | 64.3 | 66.6 | 103.9 |
3 | Edinburgh | 65.5 | 36.9 | 52.9 | 62.2 | 67.7 | 123.4 |
4 | Manchester | 63.7 | 34.5 | 50.8 | 61.3 | 68.5 | 106.5 |
5 | Aberdeen | 62.0 | 21.1 | 44.0 | 57.3 | 63.9 | 160.2 |
6 | Glasgow | 62.0 | 30.9 | 48.3 | 58.3 | 67.0 | 126.0 |
7 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 60.3 | 23.4 | 44.1 | 56.0 | 63.8 | 148.9 |
8 | Leeds | 60.0 | 28.7 | 46.2 | 58.5 | 62.9 | 120.5 |
9 | Liverpool | 58.9 | 25.6 | 44.3 | 55.7 | 65.9 | 122.8 |
10 | Sheffield | 57.9 | 26.2 | 43.9 | 54.2 | 62.8 | 120.9 |
11 | Birmingham | 57.8 | 29.5 | 45.3 | 53.3 | 62.6 | 124.0 |
12 | Belfast | 56.3 | 25.1 | 42.6 | 54.9 | 69.2 | 122.4 |
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FAQs
Starting from January 2025 students will require £1,483 monthly in London while students outside London need to manage with £1,136 each month to handle basic expenses before considering tuition fees.
The British economy shows favorable growth projections for 2025 which suggests it would be a suitable period to immigrate to the country because new positions will emerge within technology, healthcare and financial sectors.
The United Kingdom experienced a rise in its inflation rate to 3.9% since January 2025 compared to 3.5% in the previous month which resulted in higher prices across goods and services.
The Bank of England forecasts inflation will decrease halfway through 2025 which will consequently reduce living expenses.
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