The United Kingdom and England, in particular, is a popular destination for expatriates, and now after Brexit everything has mostly returned to “Business as Usual”. The country’s charm lies in its singularities, from the Soho district to its cultural heritage and typical gastronomy, such as traditional fish and chips, the quality of life is high in the UK. But before you let yourself be seduced and sing “God Save the King,” it’s important to know the cost of living UK. Foyer Global Health shares a detailed guide to budgeting and generals costs in the United Kingdom.
British Currency and Exchange Rates
The official international currency in the UK is the pound sterling. It is symbolized by the element “£” and its ISO code is “GBP.” Each pound sterling is divided into 100 pence (p). Coins in circulation have a value of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 p, and £1 and £2. Banknotes have a value of £5, £10, £20, and £50. The pound sterling is used throughout the United Kingdom, precisely in its four constituent nations: England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
The British Pound is very stable with an inflation rate of only 3.1% (August 2024).
Today, the rate for 1 GBP is equivalent to 1.19 EUR (index of July 29, 2024).
Cost of Living in the UK Compared to Average Prices in Europe
For one person, the monthly cost of living in the UK is around £651.75 or €772.96. In the UK, the monthly cost of living for one person (including shopping, transport, leisure, restaurants…) without rent is around £651.75 or €772.96. According to the latest Numbeo figures, the cost of living UK, including rent, is 9.2% higher and more expensive than the average prices for the rest of Europe. Without rented accommodation, the cost of living UK will be higher than the rest of Europe.
Compared to the United States, the cost of living is comparable to the following states: Maryland, Colorado and Washington.
As of 2024, the average gross annual income in the UK is approximately £33,000 to £35,000. This figure represents the average earnings across various sectors and does not account for tax or deductions. The income can vary significantly based on factors such as region, industry, and level of experience.
Housing in the UK
As explained above, housing is the main item of expenditure in the costs UK, especially in the city of London and other major cities. To rent a one-bedroom apartment city centre, expect an average monthly rent of £1062 (€1259). Outside the city centre, the rent is around £862 (€1022) per month for a comparable same apartment.
When it comes to buying, the price per m2 varies enormously from one region to another. They start at £2000 (€2371) and go up to £13000 (€15417) in the UK’s most sought-after areas. In general, England has the highest prices, but this is also true of the major cities in Scotland and Northern Ireland.
Here are the top 10 UK cities with the highest prices per m2:
- London
- Saint Albans
- Cambridge
- Winchester
- Oxford
- Brighton
- Bristol
- Chelmsford
- York
- Edinburgh
Energy Costs in the UK
The housing costs also include additional charges such as energy bills. On average, you can expect to pay:
- Petrol per kWh: £0.069 (€0.082)
- Electricity per kWh: £0.22 (€0.26)
Food Costs in the UK
The shopping budget is the second biggest cost-of-living item in the UK. Compared with most European countries, however, the price of food and staples is a little higher. By way of comparison, here are the prices of staple foods in the UK compared with their prices in Europe.
| Food item | UK Prices (EUR) | Average Prices in Europe (EUR) |
| Rice (1 kg) | 1.89€ | €1.60 – €1.90 |
| Eggs (12 pieces) | 3.48€ | €2.60 – €3.20 |
| Chicken fillets | 7.81€ | €6.00 – €7.50 |
| Red meat (1 kg) | 12.39€ | €10.00 – €13.00 |
| Apples (1 kg) | 2.54€ | €1.80 – €2.30 |
| Bananas (1 kg) | 1.37€ | €1.00 – €1.40 |
| Tomatoes (1 kg) | 3.17€ | €2.20 – €2.80 |
| Onions (1 kg) | 1.26€ | €1.00 – €1.40 |
| Salad (1 head) | 0.93€ | €0.80 – €1.10 |
| Milk (1 liter) | 1.47€ | €0.80 – €1.10 |
| Water bottle (1.5 liters) | 1.27€ | €0.60 – €0.90 |
| Bottle of imported beer (33 cl) | 2.84€ | €1.80 – €2.30 |
For a family of four in the UK, monthly food expenses typically range from £300 to £600, or approximately €350 to €700. A single person can expect to live with between £150 and £300 per month, translating to about €175 to €350. When considering annual expenses, it’s crucial to account for these monthly costs to get a clear picture of how much money will be needed over the year. Managing these monthly budgets effectively helps in planning and controlling annual food spending.
Transport in the UK
If you’re interested in living in the UK, you’ll find it very easy to get around thanks to the various means of transport available. London has an extensive public transport network, where people can use buses, trains, and the Underground.
Bus: There are a number of bus routes for getting around town, as well as a national network linking the various nations, such as England and Wales.
- The average price of a bus ticket in the UK is £2.20 (€2.61).
- For national journeys, the starting price is around £45 (€53.37).
Train: Residents of England and Northern Ireland can take advantage of an extensive rail network.
- On average, commuting by train costs £218 (€258.51)/month per inhabitant.
Underground: In the UK, there are fast underground lines in London, Glasgow and Newcastle-upon-Tyne.
- In London, you can take the Tube for an average fare of £4.90 (€5.81).
- You can also opt for a season ticket, such as the Travelcard, which gives you access to all the city’s public transport services for £16.84 (€19.97) a day.
Taxis: Taxis are a veritable institution, particularly in England.
- The average taxi fare in the UK is £1.24 (€1.47) per kilometre.
Car: Of course, drivers can choose to travel by car, remembering to drive on the left!
- To fill up, the price of a litre of petrol is £1.48 (€1.76).
Healthcare Costs in the UK
Here is an overview of average prices for certain medical services in the UK:
| Medical consultations | Average price |
| Consultation with a general practitioner | £50 to £150 (€59.30 to €177) |
| Specialist consultation | £180 (€213.48) on average |
| Consultation with a gynaecologist | £30 to £250 (€35.50 to €296.50) |
| Consultation with a paediatrician | £25 to £120 (€29.65 to €142.32) |
| Fitting a dental crown | approx. £450 (€534) / crown |
| Tooth extraction | £80 (€94.88) |
| Cost of delivery in a private hospital | £12000 (€14237) on average |
Despite its excellent medical infrastructure, the English public healthcare system has its shortcomings, not least a waiting time that can be quite long, especially if you’re on the NHS. For optimum coverage in the UK and elsewhere, private health insurance is an attractive option.
Education and Schooling in the UK
In the UK, education is compulsory from the age of 5 until 16. The country is ranked 11th out of 78 in the PISA 2023 ranking, which rates the performance of every education system in the world.
As far as prices are concerned, here is a table showing the average monthly budget for your child’s schooling in the UK:
| Education level | School fees |
| Kindergarten | £1260 (€1494) per month |
| Elementary school | £14800 (€17552) per year |
| First cycle | £22200 (€26328) per year |
| Second and third cycle | £17100 (€20280) per year |
| Higher education (University, etc.) costs | £15000 (€17789) per diploma for students |
Telecommunications Services in the UK
here are many telecommunications companies in the UK offering different services at different prices. The average rates in the country are as follows:
- 10 GB+ data monthly mobile package: £10 to £25 (€11.86 to €29.65).
- Internet subscription of 60 Mbps or more: between £25 and £45 (€29.65 and €53.37).
Leisure Activities in the UK
In the UK, life is in full swing both in the big cities and in the countryside! Here’s a glimpse of the prices on offer for some must-do activities:
- Visit the British Museum: free admission.
- Admission to Edinburgh Castle: £19.50 (€23.13) per adult and £11.40 (€13.52) per child.
- Discover the Giant’s Causeway in Belfast: £13.50 (€16) per adult and £6.75 (€8) per child.
- Admission to Stonehenge archaeological site: £6.90 (€8.18) per adult and £3.50 (€4.15) per child.
- Visit Oxford University: £3 (€3.56) per person on average.
- Day trip to Legoland in Windsor: starting price £39 (€46.25) per person.
- Admission to the zoo (Blackpool): £21.99 (€26.08) per adult and £15.99 (€18.96) per child.
- Going to the cinema: £10 (€11.86) on average.
- Restaurant lunch: £25 (€30) on average for one person.
In conclusion, cost living UK can be higher than in many other European countries, particularly in major cities like London. However, with careful budgeting and understanding of the average costs involved, living in the UK can offer a high quality of life for those that have sufficient financial means. Whether you’re considering moving to the UK for work, study, or retirement, it’s crucial to plan ahead and consider the various costs associated with living in the UK. If you’re a digital nomad or planning to apply for a visa, be sure to factor in these costs UK and prepare for a comfortable stay in one of Europe’s most vibrant countries.
Cover image source: Chris Boland