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Cost of Living in UK for International Students & Family
The United Kingdom is a country that includes vibrant cities and has a rich history. It is one of the countries where many students choose to go for their further studies. Apart from students, the United Kingdom is famous among international people due to its top-class facilities and other business options.Â
Whether one appreciates the excellent cities or rich history, one can agree that the UK is a playground for those seeking education and careers. It should be noted that the cost of living in the United Kingdom is very important to consider before moving.
For those who are planning to move out to the United Kingdom, do read on!
Disclaimer: This article contains information gathered from online platforms as of September 11th, 2024. The sources are provided below.
Table of Contents
Average Cost of Living in the United Kingdom for International Students
The table below gives a brief description of the typical living cost in the United Kingdom for international students:
Average Cost of Living in the United Kingdom for Bachelors, Couples & Families
The cost of living varies depending on whether you are a bachelor, a couple, or with a family. Every group has a unique expense, from housing and groceries to childcare. Depending upon all these necessities, they plan their monthly budgets.Â
The table below will help you plan your finances accordingly:
Cost of Living in Major Cities in the United Kingdom
Living in major UK cities like London, Manchester, or Edinburgh brings both excitement and higher expenses. Learn how the cost of living fluctuates across these top urban destinations. Here is a list of the average cost of living in the top cities of the United Kingdom:
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Cost of Living in London
The average cost of living in London is as follows:
Cost of Living in Birmingham
The average cost of living in Birmingham is as follows:
Cost of Living in Manchester
The average cost of living in Manchester is as follows:
Cost of Living in Bradford
The average cost of living in Bradford is as follows:
Cost of Living in Glasgow
The average cost of living in Glasgow is as follows:
Factors Impacting the Cost of Living in the United Kingdom
Several factors like housing, transportation, and utility prices have a great impact on the cost of living in the UK. Some of these factors are mentioned below:-
Location
Living in cities such as London or Edinburgh is more expensive than living in a comparatively smaller town or the countryside. This is due to the high demand for housing and daily living expenses in big cities​.
Lifestyle
Lifestyle-like spending habits, such as dining out frequently and engaging in recreational activities, can increase living costs. For example, going out often or spending most of one's time on fun activities can increase living costs. Keeping a simple lifestyle helps bring down the costs​.
Housing
Rent payments contribute a significant part of the cost of living. Different regions tend to have different prices, with the highest rent in London and the lowest in other cities like Birmingham or Glasgow​.
Transportation
Commuting costs depend greatly on the type of area one works in, whether it is a central area with good transport systems or outside the city centre where people have to use their cars. Public transport is quite popular in London; however, metered buses often require the purchase of monthly fares, which can be expensive​.
Utilities and Groceries
Utilities and groceries, mainly electricity, gas, and other essential supplies, are subject to costs and may be relatively higher in big cities. However, proper planning and going to local stores may help lower the costs​.
What is the Average Income in the United Kingdom?
In the year 2025, one can observe a salary pattern within the average salary in the UK, depending on age, orientation, and location. The income required for a fair standard of living in the United Kingdom differs depending on the particular city and the choice of living:
- Student: Students in the UK generally need about £12,000-£15,000 for basic living expenses, which may increase with a change of place.Â
- Bachelor: A young adult without dependents can expect to spend approximately £18,000 - £25,000 on living costs, particularly away from city centres. Such expenditures include rent, bills, food shopping, travel, and miscellaneous expenses.Â
- Couple: For partners living together, a combined income of £35,000 - £45,000 can help afford rent, food, and another service or two within the home, depending on where one is located.
- Families: Families, especially those with children, usually need a household income of approximately £45,000 to £60,000 (or more) to maintain a reasonable standard of living. Costs increase with childcare, schooling, and larger accommodation needs.
The following table provides an overview of the average salary in the United Kingdom:
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How Expensive is the United Kingdom Compared to Other Countries?
The United Kingdom can be said to provide a rather expensive standard of living compared to other countries, particularly India or the United States. For example, the cost of living in the UK matches that in the US but goes down by about 6.6%.Â
However, groceries here tend to be almost 20.8% less expensive than in the US, whereas the expenses of basic domestic services in both countries remain roughly the same.
The following table compares the average cost of living in the United Kingdom with other major countries of the world:
Tips for Reducing the Cost of Living in the United Kingdom
Consider the following tips to reduce the cost of living in the United Kingdom:Â
- When trying to cut down on housing costs, a good suggestion is sharing rental apartments with other people.
- Purchasing groceries from shops such as Tesco, Aldi, and Sainsbury’s and opting to prepare meals at home is a good way to cut down on food costs. Look for bulk deals and sign up for loyalty programs.
- It is usually preferable to open a local bank account to facilitate fund management and minimise other costs.
- Use discounts, learn to buy in bulk, and have second-hand purchases or rentals to attain spending targets.
- Go to parks, museums, public events, and free historic sites that cost little or nothing.
- Food can also be bought in bulk, and the type of food you want, which one can prepare himself, is the most prudent in controlling costs.
Relocating to the UK can be associated with many expenses, but there are ways of reducing your cost of living, which matters. Therefore, one can enjoy living in the UK without going beyond their means by making specific lifestyle changes and looking for financial help and budget-related applications.Â
So, knowing the cost of living in United Kingdom is necessary to be prepared for everything!
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