The cost of life in the UK in 2020: Setting a monthly budget before you move

Before making a move abroad, it’s good to have some idea of what the cost of life may be in your new home. Having a realistic budget will ensure that you are able to make the most of what the UK has to offer. Here’s a snapshot of what a healthy monthly budget in the city of London might look like.

Cost of accommodation in the UK

The UK has a variety of accommodation options which makes it easy to find a place to suit your needs. London rent can be quite expensive, especially as you move towards the heart of the city. However, there are plenty of affordable places outside the city center where people love to settle.

Rent

If you choose to rent an apartment, the following table will give you a good idea of the average monthly costs.

Property type	Average cost per month (GBP)	Average price range per month (GBP)
One-bedroom apartment, city centre	750	460 - 1,760
One-bedroom apartment, outside city	610	380 - 1,250
Three-bedroom apartment, city centre	1,270	670 - 3,160
Three-bedroom apartment, outside city	980	550 - 2,070

 

Purchasing property

If you would rather buy, these are the prices you can expect to pay per square metre:

Location	Average cost per square metre (GBP)	Average price range per square metre (GBP)
City centre	4,320	2,000 - 11,040
Outside city	3,060	1,5000 - 6,500

 

Food and drink prices in the UK

Restaurants and pubs

London has a fantastic range of restaurants, pubs and eateries to explore. The cuisine options are endless which may be why it’s been named the food capital of the world. These are some of the prices you can expect when dining out in London:

Restaurant type or item	Average cost (GBP)	Average price range (GBP)
Main meal at an inexpensive restaurant or pub	10	8 - 12
Main meal at a mid-range restaurant	20	15 - 25
Local beer (500ml)	3.75	2.50 - 5
Coke/Pepsi (330ml)	1.32	1 - 2.25
Water (330ml bottle)	0.97	0.75 - 1.89
Cappuccino (regular)	2.75	1.95 - 4

 

Groceries

You can’t eat out for every meal — as much as you might want to. We’ve worked out the average cost of your staple grocery shop below.

Grocery item	Average price (GBP)	Average price range (GBP)
Loaf of white bread	1	0.56 - 1.65
Milk (1L)	0.91	0.50 - 1.2
Eggs (12)	1.92	1 - 3
White rice (1kg)	0.98	0.45 - 2
Cheese (1kg)	5.61	2.50 - 13
Chicken fillets (1kg)	5.72	3 - 9
Beef (1kg)	7.54	4 - 12.35
Apples (1kg)	1.81	1 - 3
Banana (1kg)	1.13	0.74 - 2.79
Oranges (1kg)	1.73	0.99 - 3
Tomato (1kg)	1.81	0.88 - 3.31
Potato (1kg)	1.19	0.50 - 2
Onion (1kg)	1	0.60 - 2
Lettuce (head)	0.74	0.50 - 1
Water (1.5L bottle)	0.96	0.40 - 1.5
Wine (mid-range bottle)	7	5 - 10
Local beer (500ml bottle)	1.73	1 - 3
Box of 20 cigarettes (Marlboro)	11	9.50 - 12.50

 

Public transportation costs in the UK

Public transport is a popular and efficient way to get around the UK. You’ll have to use it when exploring, house-hunting, job-searching or travelling to and from work. These are the costs you can expect to pay for public transport:

Transportation type/item	Average price (GBP)	Average price range (GBP)
One-way ticket (local transport)	2.50	1.70 - 4
Monthly pass (regular price)	65	49 - 150
Taxi start (normal tariff)	3	1.80 - 4.50
Taxi 1km (normal tariff)	1.24	0.75 - 2.90
Taxi 1hr waiting (normal tariff)	17.40	9 - 36
Gasoline (1L)	1.27	1.17 - 1.36

 

London entertainment

As a cultural and business center, London has an incredible range of choices for entertainment. Here are a few of the most popular options for a night out:

Entertainment type	Average price (GBP)	Average price range (GBP)
Movie	12.50	10 - 15
West End Theatre show	25	25+
Club/pub entrance fee	25	10 - 40
Live music/concerts	15	15+

 

Sports and fitness

A healthy lifestyle can help you feel great mentally and physically when dealing with the stress of settling into a new country. In the summer, there are many parks and open spaces for exercising, but a fitness club membership is useful for the winter months and getting access to more equipment.

Membership type	Average price per month (GBP)	Average price range per month (GBP)
Fitness club/gym (1 adult)	30.37	16 - 50

 

Tipping etiquette in London

When eating out in the UK it is expected that you tip your waitron. If the service was satisfactory, a normal tip is 10% of your total bill. You can tip more if you feel the service deserves it, or if you are feeling generous. Some restaurants may include a service charge on the bill, particularly when a table consists of a large dining group.

It is also common to tip hairdressers’ assistants if you are happy with their service.

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If you’re planning on moving to the UK, we can help. Our 1^st Contact relocation packages include accommodation assistance, UK bank account set up, assistance with your NI number and more. Give us a call on +44 (0) 20 7759 7536 or email 1stcontact@sableinternational.com.