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Durham is a fantastic city in Northeast England. It is well-known for its history, beauty, and academic prestige. Understanding the cost of living in Durham will help students navigate their finances effectively while living there. But what is the cost of living in Durham? How much money do you need to live comfortably here?
Durham is home to prestigious universities such as Duke University and North Carolina Central University, and it attracts expats from all over the world. In this blog post, we will show the cost of living in Durham in various aspects, such as education, rent, food, transportation, utilities, healthcare, and many others. So, let’s begin our discussion without any further delay.
This Blog Includes:
- Cost of Living in Durham Overview
- Cost of Housing Rent in Durham
- Cost of Utilities in Durham
- Cost of Grocery in Durham:
- Cost of Transportation in Durham
- Cost of Living in Durham Compared to Other Cities
- Average Tuition Fees in Durham
- Why Live and Study in Durham?
- Things to Consider Before Moving to Durham
- FAQs on Cost of Living in Durham
Cost of Living in Durham Overview
Durham is one of the most expensive northern cities, which means the cost of living in Durham is slightly high. The average cost of living in Durham for a single person is approximately GBP 1293 per month, according to LivingCost Data. If we break it down, the rent for a one-room apartment ranges from EUR 402 to EUR 1113 per month. Food expenses are about EUR 399 per month, and transportation costs are around GBP 52.5 per month.
The overall cost of living in Durham per month can vary based on lifestyle choices, the specific area, and other personal factors. Here, we have given the general breakdown of the average cost of living in Durham in various categories for international students who wish to move here. They can get an idea of how much they have to keep with them before moving to Durham:
Cost of Housing Rent in Durham
The average cost of rent in Durham for a single person is around GBP 1113. Various accommodation options with affordable costs are available for ex-pats in Durham, depending on their budget and lifestyle.
The housing rent in Durham covers the major portion of the costs of living in Durham. To help you better understand housing expenses, we have compiled average cost data for various flats both inside and outside the city centre of Durham.
| Apartment Location | Monthly Rent |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Centre | GBP 1113 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Centre | GBP 450 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Centre | GBP 2,815 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) Outside of Centre | GBP 952 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Cambodia: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Utilities in Durham
`The Basic Utility Cost in Durham is around GBP 216 per month for one person, which is almost 1/4 of the cost of living in Durham. The utility cost includes electricity, heating, gas, a mobile plan, and internet access.
The amount of Utility bill can vary depending on the specific utilities used and the size of the apartment. For your reference, Here’s a breakdown of the costs for essential Cost of Utilities in Durham for immigrant students in the country:
| Utility Type | Monthly Cost |
| Basic Utility for 85m2 Apartment (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) | GBP 216 |
| Monthly Plan of Mobile Phone (with Calls & 10GB+ Data) | GBP 13 |
| Internet (60+ Mbps, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | GBP 32 |
Cost of Grocery in Durham:
The average cost of groceries in Durham is around GBP 70 per month, including food, water, milk, and other items. Groceries costs can impact the cost of living in Durham because groceries are day-to-day life expenses for all.
It’s a wise idea to compare the costs of groceries across different stores and vendors. Grocery prices can vary according to the quality and quantity of the products, as well as the location and availability of the store in Durham. So here below is the list of a few grocery items with their prices available in Durham:
| Grocery Item | Approx Cost |
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | GBP 1.34 |
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | GBP 1.41 |
| Apples (1kg) | GBP 2.43 |
| Banana (1kg) | GBP 1.36 |
| Oranges (1kg) | GBP 2.55 |
| Tomato (1kg) | GBP 3.19 |
| Potato (1kg) | GBP 0.88 |
| Onion (1kg) | GBP 0.98 |
| Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) | GBP 1.17 |
| Rice (white), (1kg) | GBP 1.51 |
| Eggs (regular) (12) | GBP 2.68 |
| Local Cheese (1kg) | GBP 6.59 |
| Lettuce (1 head) | GBP 0.74 |
Cost of Transportation in Durham
Transportation in Durham is a convenient and sustainable way to explore the county. The Local Transport in Durham is accessible, compact, and clean; it is easy to get around Durham using the bus services. The Transportation costs contribute to around GBP 65.00 per month in the overall cost of living in Durham.
As commuting to and from college, for a student transportation costs will be a regular part of their routine. Transportation expenses in Durham can significantly impact your overall cost of living in Durham. To help you estimate your transportation budget, we have provided a table with average transportation costs below. Here are various modes of transportation costs every month on can be required:
| Mode of Transport | Monthly Cost |
| One-way Ticket(Local Transport) | GBP 3.65 |
| Monthly Pass(Regular Price) | GBP 65.00 |
| Taxi Start(Normal Tariff) | GBP 2.50 |
| Taxi 1km(Normal Tariff) | GBP 1.09 |
| Taxi 1 hour Waiting(Normal Tariff) | GBP 14.40 |
Also Read: Cost of Living in Scotland: A Guide on Expected Expenses
Cost of Living in Durham Compared to Other Cities
Durham is often considered a city with a moderate cost of living compared to other nearby cities. When evaluating the cost of living in Durham, many expenses come into play such as housing, transportation, dining, and entertainment. Despite these expenses, Durham remains an attractive option for those looking for a balanced lifestyle with relatively low living costs.
To give you an idea of how the cost of living in Durham compares to other nearby cities like Newcastle, Sunderland, Middlesbrough, York, and the UK we’ve provided a comparison of living costs. Please have a look:
| City Wise | Average Cost of Living (including rent) | Comparison with Cost of Living in Durham |
| Cost of Living in Newcastle | GBP 1516 | Higher than Durham |
| Cost of Living in Sunderland | GBP 1135 | Lower to Durham |
| Cost of Living in Middlesbrough | GBP 1120 | Lower than Durham |
| Cost of Living in York | GBP 1415 | Higher than Durham |
| Cost of Living in Leeds | GBP 1486 | Higher than Durham |
| Cost of Living in Manchester | GBP 1585 | Higher than Durham |
| Cost of Living in the UK | GBP 1732 | Higher than Durham |
| Cost of Living in Sharjah | GBP 1279 | Similar to Durham |
Average Tuition Fees in Durham
Dhuram attracts expats for its UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Cathedral and Castle. It is home to several recognized institutions of higher education. Apart from the cost of living in Durham, international students must include their university’s average tuition fees for studying tension-free.
It’s important for prospective students to carefully consider their educational goals and financial resources when planning for higher education. Here, we have given the cost of average tuition fees for various programs assessed by Durham University in the table below:
| International Study Centre programme | Programs | Approx Tuition Per Year |
| International Foundation Year | Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance | GBP 24,900 |
| Science and Engineering | GBP 25,900 | |
| Humanities, Law and Social Science | GBP 23,500 | |
| Pre-Masters | Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance (2 terms) | GBP 21,750 |
| Business, Economics, Accounting and Finance (3 terms) | GBP 26,900 | |
| Law and Social Sciences (3 terms only) | GBP 24,250 | |
| Science and Engineering (2 terms) | GBP 21,250 | |
| Science and Engineering (3 terms) | GBP 25,900 |
Why Live and Study in Durham?
Now that you have understood the various costs of living in Durham, let us explain why you should live and study In Dharam. It is a lively and cosmopolitan city that offers students a high quality of life experience, including beautiful architecture, green spaces, cobbled streets, and lots of history.
Moreover, Durham’s Universities are known worldwide for their high-quality education. You will get a world-class education here. One of the prestigious Universities in Durham is Durham University, which currently holds the 78th position in the QS World University Ranking. Other universities at Durham are New College Durham, Trevelyan College, Cranmer Hall, King James I Academy, and Teikyo University of Japan. Many others make Dharam the best place to study and live.
Things to Consider Before Moving to Durham
Besides finalizing the budget for the cost of living in Durham, here are some other amazing things an expat student should consider before moving to Durham for their higher studies to make the most of the ample opportunities to excel academically with plenty of fun:
Student-Friendly Nightlife: Durham has a lively social scene comprising clubs, pubs, and music venues. While the city is relatively small, the university’s presence means plenty of catering to students. More than 15,000 students are studying at Durham, so a lot is going on to keep all 15,000 students busy. This wonderful thing with the cost of living in Durham makes students happy.
Deals for Students at Durham: Students at Durham can enjoy discounts and offers at many businesses. In many restaurants and high street stores, you’ll find lots of offers, chances for bargaining and many more.
Local parks in Durham: There are various green parks in Durham where people can relax. If you have gotten tired from studying, you can chill out at those parks with your mates. This is the best thing to do in Durham free of cost.
Work opportunities in Durham: Working with study at the University of Durham is easy and feasible because of its recommendations on the maximum number of hours for working and extra-curricular activities available. These things help students manage their cost of living in Durham and study.
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FAQs on Cost of Living in Durham
Answer: The average monthly cost of living in Durham is around GBP 1293, but the living expenses can vary based on the standard of living, individual circumstances, average salary, lifestyle choices, and family size.
Answer: If we compare the cost of living in Durham with the cost of living in London. Then you would need around GBP 2635 in London and around GBP 1293 in Durham to maintain the same standard of life. It means Durham is cheaper than London.
Answer: Durham is a fantastic place to live at an affordable cost of living. It offers the vibrancy of city life and the most picturesque countryside. Students also have a wide range of job prospects.
So, this was all about the cost of living in Durham. Many Indian students dream of pursuing education in foreign nations due to the exposure and career growth they offer. Consider joining a free counselling session with Leverage Edu if you plan to study abroad.
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