Cost of Living in the UK: Rent, Food, Transport & More

The cost of living in the UK for students varies by city and lifestyle. On average, a student spends about £1,200–£1,500 (INR 1,26,000–1,57,500) per month, while the average monthly net salary for UK workers is around £2,370 (INR 2,49,000).  

Major monthly expenses for students usually include: 

• Accommodation (40–45%): £480–£675 (INR 50,400–70,875) 
• Food & groceries (20–25%): £240–£375 (INR 25,200–39,375) 
• Transportation (10–15%): £120–£225 (INR 12,600–23,625) 
• Utilities & internet (8–10%): £96–£150 (INR 10,080–15,750) 

This blog covers all key living costs, including housing, food, transport, healthcare, leisure, and tips to save money, helping international students plan effectively. 

Planning to Study in the UK? Explore Top Universities Here! 

What is the average cost of living in the UK for students? 

Students in the UK spend about £1,027 (INR 1,07,835) on city-center rent, £1,465 (INR 1,53,825) on groceries, and £70 (INR 7,350) on transportation each month.  

Here are the main costs for a student’s monthly budget: 

Expense Category	Avg. Cost (GBP)	Avg. Cost (INR)
Rent (1-bedroom, city center)	£1,026.92	INR 1,07,835
Rent (1-bedroom, outside center)	£845.08	INR 88,733
Groceries & Markets	£1,465.41	INR 1,53,825
Restaurants / Eating Out	£1,055.11	INR 1,10,786
Utilities (Electricity, Water)	£434.98	INR 45,622
Transportation (Monthly Pass)	£70.00	INR 7,350
Sports & Leisure	£234.75	INR 24,609
Clothing & Shoes	£119.08	INR 12,503

The total monthly cost for rent, food, transport, and leisure is around £3,000 (INR 3,15,000), so students need to plan their budget carefully. 

How much does student accommodation cost in the UK? 

 Students in the UK can live in university halls, private rentals, shared flats, studios, or homestays. Housing costs usually take up 30–40% of a student’s monthly budget, and prices are higher in London and other big cities. 

Here are the average monthly costs for different accommodation types: 

Accommodation Type	Approximate Monthly Cost (GBP)	Approximate Monthly Cost (INR)
University Halls (Shared, On-Campus)	£400–£600	INR 42,000–63,000
University Halls (Single Room)	£500–£800	INR 52,500–84,000
Private Rental (1-bedroom, City Centre)	£700–£1,200	INR 73,500–1,26,000
Private Rental (1-bedroom, Outside Centre)	£600–£900	INR 63,000–94,500
Private Rental (Studio Apartment)	£800–£1,400	INR 84,000–1,47,000
Private Rental (Shared Flat, 2–3 bedrooms)	£400–£700 per room	INR 42,000–73,500 per room
Homestay / Host Family	£500–£800	INR 52,500–84,000

Picking up halls or shared flats outside city centers can save £200–£500 (INR 21,000–52,500) per month, leaving more money for food, transport, and other expenses. 

Also Read: Cost of living in London 

Are university halls cheaper than private rentals? 

University halls usually cost less than private rentals.  

Here’s a cost comparison. 

University Halls 

• Shared Room: £400–£600 (INR 42,000–63,000) per month 
• Single Room: £500–£800 (INR 52,500–84,000) per month 

Private Rentals 

• 1-Bedroom, City Centre: £700–£1,200 (INR 73,500–1,26,000) per month 
• 1-Bedroom, Outside Centre: £600–£900 (INR 63,000–94,500) per month 
• Studio Apartment: £800–£1,400 (INR 84,000–1,47,000) per month 

What are the food and grocery expenses in the UK? 

Students spend money on groceries and eating out. Grocery costs for staples range from £0.85–£10.50 (INR 89–1,10,250) per item, and restaurant meals are generally higher, especially in city centers. 

Here is the price list:  

Item	Price (GBP)	Price (INR)
Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant	£15	INR 1,575
Meal for 2, Mid-range Restaurant	£65	INR 6,825
McMeal Combo	£7.55	INR 792
Cappuccino	£3.45	INR 362
Milk (1 liter)	£1.25	INR 131
White Bread (500g)	£1.24	INR 130
Rice (1kg)	£1.63	INR 171
Eggs (12)	£2.96	INR 311
Local Cheese (1kg)	£7.14	INR 750
Chicken Fillets (1kg)	£6.62	INR 694
Beef Round (1kg)	£10.47	INR 1,099
Apples (1kg)	£2.21	INR 232
Bananas (1kg)	£1.23	INR 129
Oranges (1kg)	£2.11	INR 221
Tomatoes (1kg)	£2.56	INR 269
Potatoes (1kg)	£1.24	INR 130
Onions (1kg)	£1.16	INR 122
Lettuce (1 head)	£0.85	INR 89
Water (1.5 liter)	£1.16	INR 122

Cooking at home using groceries can cut food costs by up to 50%, leaving students more money for transport, study materials, and leisure.

How much do transportation costs add to monthly expenses? 

Students spend money on buses, trains, and taxis. Costs vary by city and transport type, ranging from £50–£180 (INR 5,250–18,900) per month.  

Average Transportation Costs: 

Transport Type	Cost (GBP)	Cost (INR)
One-way Ticket (Bus/Metro)	£2.50	INR 263
Monthly Pass (Regular)	£70	INR 7,350
Taxi Start	£4.00	INR 420
Taxi 1 km	£1.55	INR 163
Taxi 1-hour Waiting	£20	INR 2,100
Gasoline (1 liter)	£1.44	INR 151

Budget around £50–£100 (INR 5,250–10,500) per month for transport to manage costs well. 

Also Read: MBA in UK 

What is the average bus, train, and metro costs for students? 

Student fares are cheaper than regular tickets.  

Here’s a cost view. 

Bus & Metro 

• Single Ride: £1.50–£2.50 (INR 158–263) 
• Monthly Pass: £50–£80 (INR 5,250–8,400) 

Train 

• Short Trip: £5–£10 (INR 525–1,050) 
• Monthly Pass: £60–£120 (INR 6,300–12,600) 

Using student discounts cuts 20–50% of transport costs each month. 

Do you know?  

A UK student travel card can save you £20–£60 per month (INR 2,100–6,300) on buses, trains, and metro rides. 

What are the average utility and internet costs in the UK? 

Utility and internet bills in the UK include electricity, heating, water, garbage, and broadband. Students and residents spend an average of £150–£425 (INR 15,750–44,550) per month depending on apartment size, location, and usage.  

Here are the average costs. 

Utility Type	Cost (GBP)	Cost (INR)
Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, Garbage) for 85m² Apartment	£238	INR 24,940
Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data)	£31	INR 3,250
Mobile Phone Plan (Calls + 10GB+)	£14	INR 1,470

How much does healthcare and insurance cost in the UK?

Students in the UK can access public healthcare through the NHS by paying the Immigration Health Surcharge. Private health insurance is optional and provides extra coverage for services outside NHS.  

Here are the main cost categories. 

Healthcare Type	Average Cost (GBP)	Average Cost (INR)
NHS Immigration Health Surcharge	£470/year	INR 49,350
Private Health Insurance (optional)	£30–£60/month	INR 3,150–6,300
GP Visit (if paying privately)	£45–£65	INR 4,725–6,825

Costs differ by city, coverage type, and visa status. 

How much should I budget for lifestyle and leisure in the UK as a student? 

Students in the UK spend money on gyms, movies, cafes, pubs, and social activities. A gym costs about £35/month (INR 3,675), while movies or night outs can cost £10–£25 per visit. Leisure usually makes up 10–15% of monthly expenses. 

Here are the monthly costs for common activities: 

Lifestyle Category	Cost (GBP)	Cost (INR)
Fitness Club / Gym (monthly)	£35	INR 3,675
Cinema Ticket (1 seat)	£10	INR 1,050
Tennis Court (1 hour, weekend)	£12	INR 1,260
Nightclub / Bar Entry (1 person)	£15	INR 1,575
Coffee / Café Visit	£3.50	INR 368
Pub Meal (basic)	£15	INR 1,575
Bowling / Arcade (per game)	£5	INR 525
Concert / Event Ticket	£25	INR 2,625

Also Read: Fully Funded Scholarships in the UK  

Which UK cities are cheapest and most expensive for students? 

Student living costs in the UK vary widely by city. London, Oxford, and Cambridge are among the most expensive, while Glasgow, Manchester, and Birmingham are much cheaper. Rent, food, and transport make up the largest share of expenses. 

Most Expensive Cities for Students: 

City	Average Monthly Cost (GBP)	Average Monthly Cost (INR)
London	£1,400	INR 1,47,000
Oxford	£1,300	INR 1,36,500
Cambridge	£1,250	INR 1,31,250

Cheapest Cities for Students: 

City	Average Monthly Cost (GBP)	Average Monthly Cost (INR)
Glasgow	£900	INR 94,500
Manchester	£1,000	INR 1,05,000
Birmingham	£950	INR 99,750

Students can save up to £500 (INR 52,500) per month by choosing cheaper cities over expensive ones while still covering rent, food, and transport. 

How can international students reduce their living expenses? 

Students in the UK can save money by making smart choices about housing, food, transport, and daily spending. These tips help lower monthly costs without making life hard.  

Here are some ways students can save: 

• Pick cheaper housing: Shared flats or student dorms cost less than city-center apartments. 
• Cook at home: Making meals is cheaper than eating out. 
• Use public transport: Buses, trains, or student travel cards save money over taxis. 
• Shop smart: Buy groceries from budget stores and use student discounts. 
• Budget leisure: Go to gyms, movies, or activities using student offers. 
• Keep track of money: Note monthly spending to avoid extra costs. 

Can part-time jobs help cover living costs in the UK? 

If you’re a student in the UK, taking a part-time job can help with extra expenses. Most students on a visa can work up to 20 hours a week during school and full-time during holidays. Pay usually runs between £11 and £15 per hour (INR 1,155–1,575), depending on the job and city. This can help cover things like groceries, transport, bills, and some fun activities.  

Conclusion 

Making smart choices, like cooking at home, picking cheaper housing, or using student travel cards, can help you save money. These small steps make your budget go further and let you explore the UK without worrying about your expenses. 

Want to know more? upGrad can help! From budgeting tips to advice on housing and lifestyle costs, upGrad gives students the guidance they need. Book a free 1:1 counselling session with upGrad today to get personal support for your study abroad plans.