Cost of Living in the UK: Updated Prices, Comparison with Its Cities

The United Kingdom (UK) attracts numerous international students seeking quality education and career opportunities, thanks to its esteemed institutions and robust economy. It consists of four countries namely England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. If you are thinking of relocating to this wonderful country, you must estimate the cost of living in the UK to live comfortably and enjoy the beauty of these amazing countries.

The cost of living in the United Kingdom can be high in certain provinces, especially if we talk about its four countries. However, living expenses in the United Kingdom can be more reasonable out of the city centre of the country area. The factors that can influence the cost of living in the UK are given below. Let’s get right into our discussion to find out various categories of expenses.

What is the Cost of Living in the UK?

Around GBP 1,850 is the approximate cost of living in the UK for a single person including housing rent according to Numbeo. However, it may vary according to the living standard, country, state, city and preference for things. The UK is famous for its enjoyable living conditions, outstanding salaries, and high-quality education with advanced programs, which attracts people from around the world to come here.

The cost of living in the UK includes some costs such as housing rent, food, health care, transportation, groceries, utilities, and entertainment. Here, we have given the average cost of living across different categories for people looking to live in the UK. Please take a look at this comprehensive overview:

Also Read: Cost of Living in Slovakia: A Comprehensive Guide

Costs of Accommodation in the UK

Housing rent is one of the main factors that can affect the cost of living in the UK. However, it depends on the location, size, and type of room and apartment, due to which the cost of housing rent in the UK can vary significantly. Major countries and cities can have greater housing costs whereas, in smaller cities and towns, the cost of housing can be at low costs. 

We have compiled some information for your reference regarding the standard cost of different apartments both inside and outside the city centre.

Apartment	Location	Approx. Monthly Cost
Apartment of One-bedroom	in the City Centre	GBP 1,054
Apartment of One-bedroom	Outside of Centre	GBP 877
Apartment of Three-bedroom	in the City Centre	GBP 1,751
Apartment of Three-bedroom	Outside of Centre	GBP 1,345

Cost of a Utility in the UK 

It is an important thing to evaluate the cost of utility in the UK because it covers basic water, electricity, gas, and heating bills. However, utility costs depend on the country, state, municipality, and energy source. Below is a table we have provided with an overview of the typical cost of utility bills in the UK.

Utility Type	Approx. Cost
Basic Utility Bills of Water, Electricity, Heating, Cooling, and Garbage	GBP 251
Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL monthly)	GBP 30.50
Monthly Plan Mobile Phone (including Calls and 10GB+ Data)	GBP 12.36

Cost of Grocery in the UK

The grocery costs in the UK are important as these can instantly affect the general cost of living in the UK. The groceries contain essential edible items such as bread, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, water, etc. On average, a single individual spends around GBP 70 per month on grocery items. 

The cost of groceries in the UK can vary according to the location, demand and quality. In the following table, we furnished an overview of the average individual grocery costs in the UK.

Grocery Item	Approx Cost
1 litre of Regular Milk	GBP 1.24
500g Bread (White)	GBP 1.22
1kg white Rice	GBP 1.57
1kg Apples	GBP 2.12
1kg Banana	GBP 1.15
1kg Oranges	GBP 2.12
1kg Tomato	GBP 2.65
1kg Potato	GBP 1.11
1kg Onion	GBP 1.05
1 litre Water bottle	GBP 1.06

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Restaurant Food Costs in the UK

Eating out in the UK’s countries can be costly, The restaurant food costs depend on the type of restaurant and location you prefer. Dining out can affect your budget for the cost of living in the United Kingdom because the cost of dining out can be more than cooking in your room. 

To have a clearer view of the cost of meals at UK restaurants check out the table  below:

Type of Restaurant	Approx Cost of Meal in Restaurant
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant	GBP 15
Meal for 2 person (in a Mid-range Restaurant)	GBP 60
Meal that is equal. to McDonald’s	GBP  7
Cappuccino	GBP 3.17

Transportation Costs in the UK

Estimating transportation costs in the UK is crucial as they can impact the total cost of living in the UK and it is important to comprehend the costs of monthly passes or everyday tickets of public transport in the UK. 

Getting around the UK involves using various modes of public transportation, such as trains, buses, taxis, subways etc. Take an overview of the following table for the cost of transportation around the UK area:

Mode of Transport	Approx Cost
Ticket of Local Public transport	GBP 2.40
Ticket for Monthly Pass in a Public transport	GBP 70
Local tariff for the Taxi Ride of 1 km	GBP 1.24
Normal Tariff of taxi for 1 hour Waiting	GBP 17.40
1 L or 0.26 gal Gas / Petrol	GBP 1.50

Also Read: Cost of Living in Rotterdam: A Guide on Expected Expenses

Miscellaneous Costs in the UK

Along with the above categories of cost of living in the United Kingdom, various other miscellaneous costs can also be considered such as a pair of dresses, movie tickets, doctor visits, etc. As a reference, we have provided the miscellaneous costs below, Please see the following table:

Miscellaneous	Approx Cost
Movie Ticket	GBP 10
Fitness Club	GBP 32.45
Pair of Jeans	GBP 64
Summer Dress	GBP 31
Pair of Sports shoes	GBP 74
Doctor’s visit	GBP 101
Personal care	GBP 20

The Cost of Living in UK City Wise 

The cost of living in the UK varies significantly depending on the city or region. The cost of living is higher in big cities than in small towns. For your reference, we have given the following table to show the cost of living in the top 10 cities suitable for students :

Cost of Living City Wise	Approx Costs per month
Cost of Living in Wales	GBP 807.5 (without rent.)
Cost of Living in Scotland	GBP 1500
Cost of Living in London	GBP 1100 to GBP 1300
Cost of Living in Manchester	GBP 854.9 (without rent)
Cost of Living in Edinburgh	GBP 1,373
Cost of Living in Glasgow	GBP 850 to GBP 1500
Cost of Living in Coventry	GBP 798  (without rent)
Cost of Living in Nottingham	GBP 350 to GBP 550
Cost of Living in Birmingham	GBP 1350
Cost of Living in Aberdeen	GBP 797  (without rent)
Cost of Living in Newcastle upon Tyne	GBP 1600
Cost of Living in Brighton	GBP 885 (without rent)

Average Tuition Fees in the UK

By evaluating the average cost of fees in UK universities, students can better manage their expenses for their preferred university. It is important to note that tuition costs at UK universities can vary according to the selection of university and study program.

Understanding the cost of living in the UK along with the standard university tuition fees is essential in managing your educational and living expenses. Have an overview of the average tuition cost at some universities in the United Kingdom in the table below:

Name of University	Approx Tuition fees per year
University of Oxford	GBP 12830 – GBP 78510
University of Cambridge	GBP 2230 – GBP 69000
Imperial College London	GBP 14950 – GBP 61500
University College London	GBP 16050 – GBP 57700
The University of Edinburgh	GBP 20500 – GBP 38500

Note: In the UK, fees may vary depending on the duration, type of program, and selection of institution, college or university. For more information please visit the official website of the university.

Average Salary in the UK

The average salary in the UK is approximately GBP 2,371 which is an after-tax salary. It is calculated by dividing total income by the number of employees. Factors that can affect an employee’s annual salary are place of residence, industry, degree of education and the demands of their work. With this monthly salary package, people can live well in the UK and maintain a high standard of living there.

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FAQs

So, this was all about the cost of living in the UK. 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.