- Last updated on: January 16, 2023
What is the average cost of living in the UK?
The average cost of living in the UK for one person is £1,603.76 per month.
Moving to a new place, like the United Kingdom, is a big choice that you will have to make at some point in your life. You can live any kind of life you want in the UK because there are so many different places, and if you would like to live in a dynamic city, you should consider moving to London. It has a rich history, a variety of cultures, a busy social scene, and great ways to get around. However, if you are looking for a different lifestyle, the UK has a lot of places to offer.
The Office for National Statistics (ONS) reports that average home price growth in the UK decreased from 16.0% in July 2022 to 13.6% in August of that same year. In August 2022, the average price of a home in the UK was £296,000, an increase of £36,000 from the same period in 2017. Over the course of the year, the average house price grew to £316,000 (14.3%) in England, £220,000 (14.6%) in Wales, £195,000 (9.7%) in Scotland, and £169,000 (9.6%) in Northern Ireland.
No need to worry, as this article will tell you the cost of living in the UK and help you decide where to live based on your budget while still enjoying the best quality of life.
Cost of living in the UK- 2023
Housing costs in the UK
No matter where you live, paying for housing will be one of your major continuous expenditures. According to The Land Registry’s most recent report, which was posted on GOV.UK in August 2022, the average property price in the UK increased by 13.6% in the year leading up to that month. The housing costs will definitely help you determine the cost of living in the UK.
The following is a list of some of the places in the United Kingdom and their monthly rent prices:
Area | Studio | 1 Bedroom | 2 Bedroom | 3 Bedroom | 4 Bedroom |
England | £500 | £795 | £875 | £1,456 | £2,167 |
Scotland | £600 | £975 | £1,195 | £1,700 | £1,995 |
Wales | £400 | £650 | £995 | £1,295 | £1,495 |
Northern Ireland | £525 | £800 | £950 | £1,100 | £1,400 |
Below is a list of the housing costs to buy a flat in the United Kingdom:
Flat | Price Per Square Metre |
Price per Square Metre to Buy a Flat in City Centre | £4,276.71 |
Price per Square Metre to Buy a Flat Outside of Centre | £3,250.84 |
Area | Median Cost |
England | £299,249 |
Scotland | £330,461 |
Wales | £245,893 |
Northern Ireland | £164,590 |
*Housing prices vary depending on the location.
(*Numbeo, Zoopla, Living Cost Org. & UK Government Website)
What is the average rent for a 1-bedroom flat in the UK?
The average rent for a 1-bedroom flat in the UK is £805.00 per month.
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Utility costs in the UK: Internet, electricity & water
Whether you own or rent, you are responsible for utility costs. The United Kingdom’s utility expenses are comparable to the national average. The climate in the UK is temperate oceanic, with year-round rainfall that is in plenty.
When determining the cost of living in the UK, you must take into consideration the usual utilities of heating, electricity, water, and waste collection.
Utilities | England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland |
Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 85m2 flat | £236.56 | £167.10 | £211.85 | £112.86 |
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | £29.46 | £27.83 | £25.88 | £36.00 |
What is the average cost of utilities in the UK?
The average cost of utilities (Internet, electricity & water) in the UK is £211.88 per month.
(*Numbeo)
Grocery costs in the UK
Food is another common expense that significantly affects the overall cost of living in the UK. According to the Office for National Statistics it shows that food prices in the UK have gone up 13% in the last ten years, but only 0.5% in the last year.
According to Numbeo.com data, the average grocery cost in United Kingdom is as follows:
Grocery | Average Prices in the UK | |
Milk (regular) – (1 gallon) | £0.98 | |
Loaf of Fresh White Bread (1 lb) | £1.00 | |
Rice (white) – (1 lb) | £1.37 | |
Eggs (regular) (12) | £2.04 | |
Local Cheese (1 lb) | £5.80 | |
Chicken Filets (1 lb) | £5.62 | |
Beef Round (1 lb) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat) | £8.71 | |
Apples (1 lb) | £1.90 | |
Banana (1 lb) | £1.09 | |
Oranges (1 lb) | £1.75 | |
Tomato (1 lb) | £2.00 | |
Potato (1 lb) | £1.07 | |
Onion (1 lb) | £0.97 | |
Lettuce (1 head) | £0.70 | |
Water (1.5-litre bottle) | £0.99 | |
Average cost of groceries per week for 1 person in the UK | £42.80 | |
However, the food costs may vary depending on your area.
What is the average cost of groceries for 1 person in the UK?
The average cost of groceries for 1 person in the UK is £185.00 per month.
(*Numbeo & NimbleFins)
Public transportation costs in the United Kingdom
Transportation in the United Kingdom consists of a wide variety of options. Determining how transportation works and the prices added factors in the cost of living in the UK. In the United Kingdom, trains are by far the most common kind of mass transit. National Rail is responsible for the railway system across England, Scotland, and Wales. Everything related to trains in Northern Ireland is handled by Northern Ireland Railways.
Here is a list of how much public transportation costs in different areas in United Kingdom:
Transportation | England | Scotland | Wales | Northern Ireland | |
One-way Ticket (Local Transport) | £2.75 | £1.80 | £2.00 | £2.55 | |
Monthly Pass (Regular Price) | £150.00 | £60.00 | £53.00 | £55.00 | |
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff) | £4.00 | £3.00 | £2.75 | £3.50 | |
Taxi 1km (Normal Tariff) | £1.70 | £1.42 | £1.12 | £1.93 | |
Gasoline (1 Litre) | £1.75 | £1.60 | £1.54 | £1.57 | |
(*Numbeo)
What is the cost of a monthly MetroCard in the UK?
The cost of a monthly MetroCard in the UK is £79.50.
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Entertainment costs in the UK
The United Kingdom is a destination for foodies and music lovers, with countless venues offering both. This is one factor to consider when considering the cost of living in the United Kingdom. People of all ages will have a great time in the city because of its rich culture and friendly people.
According to Numbeo.com data, the entertainment costs in the United Kingdom’s areas are as follows:
Entertainment | Average Prices in the UK |
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant | £14.00 |
Taxi 1-hour Waiting (Normal Tariff) | £17.40 |
Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat | £10.00 |
(*Numbeo)
What is the average cost of entertainment in the UK?
The average cost of entertainment in the UK is £41.40 per month.
Healthcare costs in the UK
Healthcare is a significant expense. So, if you want to move to the United Kingdom, you should always consider the cost of healthcare.
Because health insurance is part of the cost of living in the United Kingdom, it is an important part of your budget. It varies greatly depending on your health, the cost of your prescriptions, whether you have health insurance via your employment or on your own, and the number of people that live in your home.
Here are the costs of healthcare in the United Kingdom:
Healthcare | Cost |
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for one person per month | £250.00 |
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare for a family of four (couple + 2 children from 5 to 10 years old) per month | £840.00 |
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | £30.98 |
(*KFF.com & Unbiased.com)
What is the average cost of a gym membership in the UK?
The average cost of a gym membership in the UK is £30.98 per month.
Sales tax in the United Kingdom
The British sales tax is 20%. In shops, hotels, and restaurants, tax is virtually always included. The U.K. has a 15% lower cost of living than the U.S. The UK is 16th most costly in the world. In the UK, the typical after-tax pay covers living expenditures for 1.6 months, compared to 2 months in the US.
(*Livingcost.org)
Conclusion/Summary chart
Moving to a different place does not have to be difficult if you plan your money well and budget your expenses. You may want to consider the safest places to live in the United Kingdom. For your convenience, you may use the table below to figure out how much it costs on average to live in United Kingdom:
Category
Description
Cost
Housing
Average rent price for a one-bedroom flat + Average Utility Cost
£805 + £182.09
Healthcare
Employer-Sponsored Healthcare
£250.00
Transportation
Metrocard Monthly Cost
£79.50
Food
Average Grocery Cost Per Person Per Month
£185.00
Internet
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)
£29.79
Entertainment (for 1 time only)
Meal Inexpensive restaurant + Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat + Taxi
£14.00 + £10.00 + £17.40
Health and Fitness
Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult
£30.98
Total
Sum
£1,603.76
Note: The cost mentioned above may vary; for instance, if you are living with someone, your cost will be considerably low. Also, if you have a family, you will need to add the cost of each family member. Finally, the price may also vary depending upon the area you select to live in.
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