The Cost of Living in the UK: How Much You Can Expect to Spend in London vs the Rest of the UK
Studying in the UK doesn’t just mean you’ll get a world-class education. It also means you’ll enjoy an exciting adventure like no other!
But before you make the move, it’s important to know how much money you’ll need for day-to-day expenses during your time abroad. That’s why we’ve put together this guide on the cost of living in the UK.
The cost of living in the UK
The UK has a huge number of popular study destinations to choose from, including London, Cardiff, Manchester, Belfast, Edinburgh and Birmingham, to name just a few!
Knowing the cost of living in your chosen destination will help you budget for your trip. This means you can ensure you have enough money for essentials, adventures and plenty of fun!
Of course, the ranges provided here are just estimates, and your actual expenses may vary based on factors like lifestyle and location.
Accommodation and utility costs
London
In London, on-campus student accommodation, or student halls, are priced at around £848 per month and include all your bills. Alternatively, purpose-built student accommodation also includes bills and costs between £240 to £589 per week.
Homestay is another great option and usually includes all your bills plus some of your meals, depending on your agreement. In London, you’ll spend between £200 and £300 per week on a homestay.
If you’d prefer to rent your own place, you can find private accommodation in London for approximately £750 per month. If you choose this option, you’ll have to allocate about £140 per month for bills, including gas and electricity.
Rest of the UK
Outside of London, you can expect to pay £664 per month for a place in student halls, or £230 per week for a room in dedicated student accommodation, both of which include all bills.
Homestay costs here can set you back anywhere from £600 to £800 per month, depending on location and how many meals are provided.
Private renting is also more affordable, priced at an average of £554 per month. You can expect to pay £80 per month for utilities like electricity and gas.
Grocery costs
London
Your grocery costs will vary depending on your diet, eating habits and how often you eat at home. In general, you can expect to spend £155 per week on groceries in London.
Here, a loaf of white bread is £1.35, while a litre of milk is usually £1.30.
Rest of the UK
You’ll find groceries are a bit cheaper in the rest of the UK, especially expensive items like meat and cheese. Try to set aside £116 per week for your grocery expenses.
Outside of London, you can usually pick up a litre of milk for £1.10 and a loaf of bread for £1.15.
Entertainment and hobbies
London
The amount you’ll need to set aside for entertainment and hobbies depends on what you like to do! In London, you can expect to pay roughly £20 weekly for a gym membership, about £2.69 for a takeaway coffee or £16 for a meal out.
When it comes to clothes, a good quality pair of jeans will set you back £78, while a dress from a high street store costs £35.
Rest of the UK
Everywhere else, a weekly gym membership is usually £15. A takeaway coffee averages £2.50, and you’ll pay £15 for a meal at a mid-range restaurant.
If you need some retail therapy, you’ll probably pay £64 for a good pair of jeans or £29 for a dress from a high street retail store.
Don’t forget that you’ll have access to discounts through groups like UNiDAYS. Make sure you take advantage of all the deals and discounts on offer, which cover everything from retail shopping to events and experiences!
Public Transport
London
London is famous for its transport! Whether you’re jumping on the tube, cruising around in a double-decker bus, or catching the overground from King’s Cross Station, you’ll find it easy to get wherever you want to go!
You can expect to pay £103 per month (if you are eligible for discounted student fares).
Rest of the UK
You’ll find cities across the UK just as easy to get around! Each area has their own public transport network, many of which also offer travel cards and student discounts.
Try to budget £54 per week for transport in areas across the rest of the UK.
Technology and Communications
Technology and communications costs will likely be the same, no matter where you are in the UK.
Luckily, you can easily get a fantastic sim-only mobile plan for £18 per month.
If your accommodation doesn’t already have internet access, you’ll have to arrange and pay for this yourself. For broadband internet, you can expect to pay £30 monthly.
Ready to learn more about life in the UK? Discover our other awesome tips for international students at Future Abroad!
Author: Kate Millar
