Cost of Living in Southampton: A Complete Guide on Expenses

When preparing to study abroad in Southampton, there are various expenses to consider, such as tuition fees, travel expenses, accommodations, utility bills, and more. One crucial aspect to prioritize is analyzing the cost of living in Southampton. Understanding these expenses can help effectively plan your budget for studying in the city.

Understanding the cost of living in Southampton is crucial for managing your finances effectively. In today’s blog, we’ll explore the different categories that contribute to the cost of living in Southampton. Keep reading to learn more and make informed decisions.

Cost of Living in Southampton

The average cost of living in Southampton for a single person, including housing rent, is approximately GBP 1447, according to livingcost Data. For a one-bedroom apartment, individuals can expect to pay between GBP 693 and GBP 850. The overall cost of living in Southampton can vary according to the standard of living, preferred area, and other essential criteria for students.

The cost of living in Barrie comprises various expenses, including utility bills, housing rent, travel passes, personal expenses, food, and grocery expenses. Below we have mentioned some of the essential categories and their cost which will help you provide some clarity about the cost of living in Southampton:

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Cost of Accommodations in Southampton

One of the biggest hurdles that most international students face is with accommodations. As accommodations are one of the essential things while studying abroad it is important to find a good accommodation option that fits your budget. Finding on-campus accommodation in Southampton can be a great choice if you want to control your expenses as it can be cheap and as it’s on-campus you will be always near to your university.

But if you want to stay luxuriously with spacious rooms and no rules you can go for off-campus or private accommodation options. The average cost of private accommodation can range from GBP 693 to GBP 850 per month depending on the features provided. The cost of accommodations is a major portion of the cost of living in Southampton. For your convenience, we have compiled the average cost of housing data for various flats located both inside and outside the city centre.

Apartment Type	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
1 bedroom	in the City Centre	GBP 850
3 bedrooms	in the City Centre	GBP 1671
1 bedroom	Outside of Centre	GBP 693
3 bedrooms	Outside of Centre	GBP 1079

Cost of Food in Southampton

The expenses of food completely depend on your preferences and eating habits. Some students prefer eating processed food or from the cafeteria and some students like cooking their own food. Both of the options have their own benefits but cooking your own food can be more affordable and healthy. According to livingcost statistics, the average monthly cost of food for students in Southampton is around GBP 355.

Opting to dine out occasionally, perhaps 2-3 times a month, can be enjoyable in Southampton. However, students should be mindful that regular dining out can impact their cost of living. Eating out is generally more expensive compared to cooking meals at home. So cooking at home can be a good idea to save lots of money while studying in Southampton. Here’s an approx cost of a meal at restaurants in Southampton:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Food Expenses (monthly)	GBP 685
Lunch Menu	GBP 11
Dinner in a Restaurant, for 2 person	GBP 45.9
Fast food meal, equiv. McDonald’s	GBP 6.4
Cappuccino	GBP 3.05

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Cost of Grocery in Southampton

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 Southampton. 

It’s important to compare prices across different stores or vendors, to get the best value when shopping for groceries in Southampton. Below is a table summarizing the average grocery expenses in Southampton:

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
Milk (regular), (1 litre)	GBP 1.17
Eggs (regular) (12)	GBP 3.18
Apples (1kg)	GBP 1.67
Banana (1kg)	GBP 1.03
Oranges (1kg)	GBP 2.23
Local Cheese (1kg)	GBP 8.71
Potato (1kg)	GBP 0.98
Tomato (1kg)	GBP 2.79
Onion (1kg)	GBP 0.84
Water (1 liter bottle)	GBP 0.68
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g)	GBP 1.06
Rice (white), (1kg)	GBP 1.4

Cost of Transportation in Southampton

Another necessary expense is transportation. Although the transportation system in Southampton is extremely developed some transportation can be a bit expensive for a college-going international student. You can use public transport like buses, trains and ferries which can be comparatively cheap and pocket friendly but if you opt for private transport like taxis, cars or bikes it can be expensive here.

For your reference, we have given the average transportation cost in the table below so that you can estimate and add your transportation budget to your cost of living in Southampton accordingly. Take an overview so that you can hang around the Southampton area comfortably:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport	GBP 67.3
Ticket for Local Public transport	GBP 2.27
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 8 km	GBP 13.8
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol	GBP 1.54

Miscellaneous Costs in Southampton

Apart from accommodation, food, and travel costs, you may need to consider a few miscellaneous expenses while living in Southampton, such as gym subscriptions, movie tickets, clothing, and occasional doctor’s appointments. These miscellaneous expenses can add up over time, so it’s important to account for them in your budget.

These expenses can vary depending on individual lifestyles and preferences. Please refer to the table below for a detailed list of these miscellaneous expenses.

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	GBP 10.1
Brand Jeans	GBP 71.8
Fitness Club (Gym Membership)	GBP 27
Brand Sneakers	GBP 79.7
Doctor’s visit	GBP 68.5

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Cost of Living Comparison: Southampton vs Other Cities

When comparing the cost of living in Southampton to other cities in the United Kingdom, several factors come into play. Southampton is renowned for its affordable living expenses, particularly in terms of housing and transportation. Southampton remains an attractive option within the United Kingdom for those seeking a balanced lifestyle.

Understanding the cost of living comparison between Southampton and other cities is crucial for making informed decisions about relocation or long-term stays. To give you a thorough understanding of how the cost of living in Southampton compares to other major cities like London, the UK, and South Africa, we have compiled relevant data. Please take a look for more clarity:

Cost of Living City Wise	Average Cost of living	Comparison with Cost of Living in Southampton
Cost of Living in London	GBP 2635 (including rent)	Higher than Southampton
Cost of Living in the UK	GBP 1732 (including rent)	Higher than Southampton
Cost of Living in South Africa	GBP 647 (including rent)	Lower than Southampton

Average Tuition Fees to Study in Southampton

Pursuing higher education in Southampton can be affordable, and it will not affect that much your cost of living in Southampton. So prospective students should carefully consider their educational goals and financial resources for universities in Southampton. 

Here are some top Universities of Southampton with their average tuition fees. This will give you an idea about the tuition fee cost in Southampton:

University Name	Average Tuition Fees
University of Southampton	GBP 43600 – GBP 33500
City College Southampton	GBP 14443
Solent University	GBP 11000 – GBP 18170
Woodlands Community College	GBP 7602

Why Study in Southampton?

Now you have understood the average cost of living in Southampton, let us understand how studying abroad in Southampton can be extremely beneficial for your career. Let us take a look at some of the key benefits of studying in Southampton:

• Southampton houses some of the most prestigious universities in the world. You will have plenty of good Universities to choose from where you can pursue your dream study program without worrying about the quality of education.
• It is also a member of the prestigious Russell Group, which represents 24 leading research-intensive universities in the UK. Getting a degree from one of the Universities in Southampton can help you secure a high-paying job.
• Southampton is located in a very convenient position on the south coast of England. You can get easy access to some of the top destinations like  London, Oxford and  Brighton 
• Universities here are known for academic excellence and for providing cutting-edge technology. You can easily future-proof your career by getting access to technologies early and by learning about them.

Things to Consider While Moving to Southampton

Now that you have an idea of the cost of living in Southampton, here are a few things to consider when moving to Southampton. These tips will help you improve your living experience in the city. Please read them carefully:

• Make a detailed list of your needs before you move into Southampton, this list should include your all kinds of expenses while studying abroad. The main purpose of making this list is to check that everything is within your budget.
• Before moving to Southampton, you should start comparing the different accommodation options and advance book the ideal one according to your budget to make the process a bit hassle-free
• Ensure you are aware of the local laws of Southampton so that you can avoid violating any law of Southpton even unknowingly.

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FAQs on the Cost of Living in Southampton

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