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The moment we talk about Cambridge, the first thing that comes to mind is the University of Cambridge. Cambridge is the home of many such world-class institutions. Cambridge is thus, a university city and county town of Cambridgeshire, England. It provides a student-friendly environment, combining a high standard of living with a reasonable cost of living in London. These factors make it an appealing destination for international students.
London ranks in the top 11 % of the world’s most expensive cities, placing 1042nd out of 9294 globally and 16 out of 277 in the United Kingdom according to livingcost. Due to this students in Cambridge enjoy the advantage of a high quality of life. If you are relocating here for your higher education and want to estimate, how much is the average cost of living in Cambridge, continue reading the blog to find out more.
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Cost of Living in Cambridge: Overview
The cost of living in Cambridge depends on the location of your stay and your lifestyle choices. However, the average cost of living in Cambridge for an international student can be around GBP 867 per month according to numbeo Data. Further, if we consider a one-bedroom apartment, individuals can expect to pay between GBP 1000 and GBP 1500.
The cost of living in Cambridge comprises various expenses, including utility bills, housing rent, travel passes, personal expenses, food, and grocery expenses. Below, we provide an overview of the average living expenses in Cambridge across different categories for those considering residing in this vibrant city. Please have a look:
Also Read: Cost of Living in Seoul: Updated Prices, Other Cities Comparison
Costs of Transportation in Cambridge
The cost of transportation depends on your mode of transportation and the distance to your destination while moving to the Cambridge region. It is an important part of the cost of living in Cambridge for students and they should evaluate this cost because they will have to commute to and from college.
Students do get discounts and concessions on transportation which makes commuting and travelling very affordable. For your reference, we have given the average transportation cost in the table below. Take an overview so that you can hang around the Cambridge area comfortably:
| Mode of Transport | Approx Cost |
| Train | GBP 12 – GBP 13 |
| Bus | GBP 1 – GBP 2 |
| Tube | GBP 4 – GBP 5 |
| Cycle | 2 GBP for 30 minutes |
| Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport | GBP 62.50 |
| Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 1 km | GBP 1.65 |
Restaurant Food Costs in Cambridge
Cambridge’s restaurants cater to a wide range of tastes and preferences for food lovers and make dining out an exciting experience for students. Although dining out expenses in Cambridge may be expensive but can be delightful. Restaurant food costs can vary depending on the restaurant’s location, type, cuisine, and the number of people going for dining.
Eating out regularly can affect the cost of living in Cambridge for students. So cooking at home can be a good idea because it can you lots of money while studying in Cambridge. Here’s an approx cost of a meal at restaurants in Cambridge:
| Type of Restaurant | Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant |
| Lunch Menu | GBP 15 |
| Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 person | GBP 70.5 |
| Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald’s | GBP 7.7 |
| Cappuccino | GBP 3.34 |
Cost of Food Expenses in Cambridge
The cost of weekly groceries is between 40 GBP – 60 GBP. Staying on campus is slightly cheaper than staying in rentals. Thus, one must consider the cost of food into consideration. The grocery expenses are the daily expenses for students if they prefer to prepare food at their residence and their meal preferences will decide the expenses of groceries there. However, the cost of groceries can influence the overall cost of living in Cambridge.
To get the best value when shopping for groceries in Cambridge, it’s important to compare prices across different stores or vendors. Grocery prices can vary based on factors such as the quality and quantity of the products, as well as the grocery store’s location and availability. Below is a table summarizing the average grocery expenses in Cambridge:
| Grocery Item | Approx Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | GBP 1.37 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | GBP 1.6 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | GBP 1.65 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | GBP 3.18 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | GBP 7.03 |
| Apples (1kg) | GBP 2.44 |
| Banana (1kg) | GBP 1.51 |
| Oranges (1kg) | GBP 2.36 |
| Tomato (1kg) | GBP 2.67 |
| Potato (1kg) | GBP 1.16 |
| Onion (1kg) | GBP 1.27 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | GBP 1.12 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | GBP 0.81 |
Utility Costs in Cambridge
Utility expenses are integral for any student and thus, students must save some extra bucks to spend on these expenses. Utilities in Cambridge encompass a range of essential services that contribute to enhancing the quality of life for residents.
The services that are included in the utility of Cambridge are electricity, water, heating, internet, and garbage. Understanding the cost of basic utilities can help students to manage household expenses effectively there. The table below provides an overview of the average utility expenses in Cambridge:
| Utility Type | Utility Name | Approx. Cost |
| Basic Utility Bills | Water, Electricity, Heating, Cooling, etc | GBP 235 |
| Internet | 60 Mbps+, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly | GBP 29 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Kingston: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Accommodation Cost in Cambridge
International students have various accommodation options in Cambridge including university campuses, private apartments, shared rooms and more. This expense completely depends on the student’s preferences and the type of accommodation they are opting for.
If you choose to stay in the hostel dormitory, your cost of living in Cambridge for students can be lower, however, if you want a private space, your average rent for a room apartment can be around GBP 1,416 per month in the city area. Before moving to London it is essential to carefully research and compare the apartment rent of different areas to ensure whether they meet your needs and budget. A few cost for these accommodations is given below:
| Apartment Type | Location | Approx. Monthly Cost |
| 1 bedroom | in the City Centre | GBP 1,416 |
| 3 bedrooms | in the City Centre | GBP 2,444 |
| 1 bedroom | Outside of Centre | GBP 1,105 |
| 3 bedrooms | Outside of Centre | GBP 1,829 |
Average Cost of Studying in Cambridge
Pursuing higher education in Cambridge can be costly, and it can affect your cost of living in Cambridge too. So prospective students should carefully consider their educational goals and financial resources. The tuition fees for international students at Cambridge Universities depend on the preferred program, University and level of education they choose.
It’s essential to explore available scholarships or financial aid provided by universities when planning studies in Cambridge. Careful financial planning enables students to maximize educational opportunities while managing costs effectively. Below is a table summarizing tuition fees at selected universities in Cambridge:
| Course Level | Average Tuition Fees |
| Undergraduate Degree | GBP 14,000 – GBP 34,000 |
| Postgraduate Degree | GBP 24,000 |
| PhD Degree | GBP 25,000 – GBP 55,000 |
Cost of Living Cambridge vs Other Cities
When comparing the cost of living in Cambridge to other cities around it, several factors come into play. Cambridge is renowned for its high living expenses, particularly in terms of housing and transportation. Still, Cambridge remains an attractive option within the UK for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.
Understanding the cost of living comparison between Cambridge and other cities like London, Edinburg, and Oxford is crucial for making informed decisions about relocation or long-term stays. To provide you with a comprehensive idea of how the cost of living in Cambridge compares to other major cities around it. We have compiled the relevant data. Please take a look for more clarity:
| Cost of Living City Wise | Average Cost of living | Comparison with Cost of Living in Cambridge |
| Cost of Living in London | GBP 1,105 (excluding rent) | Higher than Cambridge |
| Cost of Living in Edinburg | GBP 910 (excluding rent) | Higher than Cambridge |
| Cost of Living in Oxford | GBP 879 (excluding rent) | Higher than Cambridge |
| Cost of Living in the USA | GBP 919 (excluding rent) | Higher than Cambridge |
| Cost of Living in the UK | GBP 811 (excluding rent) | Lower than Cambridge |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Gloucester: Updated Prices, Comparison with Other Cities
Why Choose Cambridge to Study Abroad?
Cambridge offers international students the opportunity to learn and explore at a relatively affordable cost of living in Cambridge. There are numerous compelling reasons why students should choose Cambridge for their study abroad experience. Here are some of the key reasons:
- The education system of the United Kingdom is highly esteemed and globally acknowledged.
- It is the home of the most popular and high-ranking university, the University of Cambridge.
- It offers abundant opportunities in a wide range of fields including engineering, medicine, architecture, business, finance and technology.
- UK universities are equipped with advanced high-tech facilities to provide students with the perfect study experience.
- The cost of studying in the UK is a bit on the costlier side. However, one can avail of many scholarships to study in the UK. these are either government scholarships or university-specific scholarships.
Things to Consider When Moving to Cambridge
Apart from the cost of living in Cambridge, there are a few things that need to be considered before moving to a new city. Given below are the factors one must consider when moving to Cambridge:
- It has a highly impressive association with the education and innovation industry and boasts an active job market with economic growth
- Many youngsters are interested in moving to Cambridge because of the diverse opportunities available. The city has many international companies that attract job seekers
- Cambridge has a rich cultural diversity and has a great variety of everything including fine-dine restaurants, bars, pubs and clubs offering a range of different cuisines. The city is known for its nightlife.
- Cambridge is on the expensive spectrum in terms of cost of living but offers one of the most desirable quality-of-life experiences with a top-notch healthcare system at both public and private facilities
- The city has world-class facilities for shopping, entertainment, and other activities for all ages.
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FAQs on Cost of Living in Cambridge
Answer: The monthly average cost of living in Cambridge for a single person is roughly GBP 866, without rent. Whereas, the estimated cost of housing rent can range from GBP 1,000 to GBP 15,00. However, these expenses can vary according to the preferred location and things.
Answer: The cost of living in Cambridge depends on the location of your stay and your lifestyle choices. However, the average cost of living in Cambridge for an international student is around 866 per month, without rent.
Answer: One must have an average monthly salary of GBP 3,086 after tax to live comfortably in Cambridge, UK. This amount is more than the average cost of living in Cambridge.
Answer: Of course. Cambridge offers one of the most desirable quality-of-life experiences with a top-notch healthcare system at both public and private facilities.
We hope that this blog has provided you with relevant information on the Cost of Living in Cambridge. And if you wish to study abroad, contact Leverage Edu for full assistance. You can also call us at 1800572000 and book a free session today!
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