Cost of living in Cambridge
Cambridge, a historic city in the United Kingdom, is renowned for its prestigious university and vibrant cultural scene. Understanding the cost of living here is crucial for students, professionals, and families considering relocation.
This guide provides a detailed breakdown of expenses in Cambridge, covering essential categories such as dining, groceries, transportation, housing, and utilities.
Cost of Living Summary
Dining and Restaurants
- Inexpensive Restaurant Meal - A meal at a casual restaurant will typically cost £18.97 on average, with a range between £15.18 and £37.95.
- Mid-Range Restaurant (Three-Course Meal for Two) - For a more upscale dining experience, expect to pay around £88.54, with prices ranging from £56.92 to £132.81.
- Fast Food (e.g., McDonald's) - A McMeal or equivalent combo meal averages £10.12, with a range between £9.49 and £12.65.
- Beverages (e.g., Domestic Beer, Imported Beer, Cappuccino, Coke/Pepsi) - Domestic beer ranges from £6 to £8.85, imported beer £5.06 to £8.85, cappuccino £3.79 to £6.32, and Coke/Pepsi £1.52 to £4.43.
Grocery Prices
- Milk - Milk is priced between £1.26 and £2.53 per liter, averaging £1.9.
- Bread (Loaf of Fresh White Bread) - A loaf of fresh white bread costs between £0.99 and £5.31, with an average price of £2.08.
- Eggs (Dozen) - A dozen eggs range from £3.19 to £5.31, averaging £4.44.
- Fruits (e.g., Apples, Oranges) - Apples cost £2.28 to £3.79 per kg, while oranges range from £1.26 to £5.06 per kg.
- Vegetables (e.g., Potatoes, Lettuce) - Potatoes are priced between £0.82 and £2.53 per kg, and lettuce costs £0.89 to £2.53 per head.
Transportation
- Public Transport (One-Way Ticket) - A one-way local transport ticket costs between £2.53 and £4.05, with a monthly pass priced between £63.24 and £101.19.
- Fuel (Gasoline) - Gasoline is priced between £1.8 and £2.26 per liter.
- Taxi Fares - Taxi fares start at £6.32, with a cost of £0.86 to £4.05 per km and £45.53 to £50.59 per hour of waiting.
Housing Costs
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from £1517.81 to £2150.23, averaging £1728.61.
- 1-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from £976.46 to £1644.29, averaging £1395.9.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (City Centre) - Rent for a 3-bedroom apartment in the city centre ranges from £2782.65 to £4553.42, averaging £3212.69.
- 3-Bedroom Apartment Rent (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, rent ranges from £1897.26 to £3162.1, averaging £2266.17.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (City Centre) - The price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre ranges from £7462.55 to £12648.4, averaging £8337.41.
- Buying Price per Square Meter (Outside Centre) - Outside the centre, the price per square meter ranges from £6071.23 to £6956.62, averaging £6303.65.
Utilities
- Basic Utilities (Electricity, Heating, Water, etc.) - Basic utilities for an 85m2 apartment cost between £172.02 and £695.66, averaging £316.99.
- Internet - Internet services range from £29.09 to £50.59, with an average cost of £35.49.
Cost of Living Rankings
The cost of living indices for United Kingdom are compared to New York City (NYC), which serves as the baseline with an index of 100. These provide insights into the relative cost of living in different cities in United Kingdom, covering factors like consumer goods, rent, and purchasing power.
Cost of Living Data
Restaurants
Restaurants
Markets
Markets
Transportation
Transportation
Rent Per Month
Rent Per Month
Utilities (Monthly)
Utilities (Monthly)
Sports And Leisure
Sports And Leisure
Clothing And Shoes
Clothing And Shoes
Buy Apartment Price
Buy Apartment Price
Salaries And Financing
Salaries And Financing
Childcare
Childcare
"Key Takeaways"
Cambridge offers a diverse range of dining options, with prices varying significantly between casual and upscale restaurants.
Grocery prices in Cambridge are relatively moderate, though some items like local cheese and beef can be more expensive.
Transportation costs are manageable, with public transport and fuel prices being fairly standard for the UK.
Housing in Cambridge can be quite expensive, especially in the city centre, reflecting the city's desirability and limited space.
Utilities and internet costs are in line with national averages, though there can be significant variation in utility costs.
Conclusion
Cambridge presents a unique blend of historical charm and modern living, but this comes with a relatively high cost of living.
Prospective residents should budget carefully, particularly for housing and dining, to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in this vibrant city.