United Kingdom : Cost of Living by City
- Aberdeen
- Bath
- Belfast
- Birmingham
- Brighton
- Bristol
- Cambridge
- Cardiff
- Coventry
- Derby
- Edinburgh
- Exeter
- Glasgow
- Leeds
- Leicester
- Liverpool
- London
- Manchester
- Milton Keynes
- Newcastle upon Tyne
- Norwich
- Nottingham
- Oxford
- Peterborough
- Plymouth
- Portsmouth
- Reading
- Sheffield
- Southampton
- Swindon
- York
How Much Does It Cost to Live in Reading?
The United Kingdom is definitely among the most popular destinations both for tourists and people who desire to live there permanently.
It is not unusual due to the fact that great incomes combined with high standard of living are attractive and people believe in better life there.
However, they need to have in mind that the cost of living in the United Kingdom is also quite high, especially in major cities, so choosing a less prominent one can be a good decision.
Cost of Living Breakdown in Reading
RESTAURANTS
Eating out is cheaper in Reading than in many major cities in the United Kingdom.
You can get a decent meal at $16 and if you prefer more quality dishes, you have restaurants of various types throughout the city.
Choosing those away from main locations would be of great benefit for your budget.
| Average Restaurant Prices | |
|---|---|
| Meal (Inexpensive Restaurant) | $15.97 |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 Liter) | $4.66 |
| Water (0.33 Liter) | $1.14 |
MARKETS
Even though you save some money on rent, you will need to provide for another expense which is of the same importance, and that is food.
Bear in mind that food is more expensive in Reading, as the cost of groceries are higher than in London, but the difference is not that high.
| Average Market Prices | |
|---|---|
| Milk (1 Liter) | $1.13 |
| Loaf Bread (500g) | $1.55 |
| Eggs (12) | $2.61 |
TRANSPORTATION
Commuting in Reading is possible either by public transport system or driving your own vehicle.
Driving can be an expensive part of monthly wages as the gasoline and insurance are pricey.
Walking and riding a bike would be a cheaper solution for those with low incomes.
| Average Transport Prices | |
|---|---|
| One Way Ticket | $2.66 |
| Monthly Pass | $75.84 |
| Gasoline | $1.63 |
UTILITIES (MONTHLY)
Besides groceries, another thing that is more expensive here than in London are utilities. Gas, electricity and water costs will depend on the apartment size, the usage of them and the number of people living there, but generally speaking they are around $225 per month.
| Average Utilities Prices | |
|---|---|
| Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling) | $225.72 |
| 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Tariff Local | $0.13 |
| Internet (Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL) | $36.53 |
SPORTS & LEISURE
The cost of a monthly fee to a fitness club in Reading is $40, and when compared to London it is lower and affordable.
Furthermore, the cost of a cinema ticket is 20% lower in Reading, so you can enjoy watching the latest release at just $13.
| Average Leisure Prices | |
|---|---|
| Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult | $39.17 |
| Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour) | $15.63 |
| Cinema, 1 Seat, International Release | $13.31 |
CLOTHING & SHOES
Just as London is expensive when it comes to clothes, being the center of many fashion shows, Reading is not far away from it.
Prices of designer apparel are as high as in the capital and they are not affordable to people with the minimum incomes.
| Average Clothing Prices | |
|---|---|
| 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Comparable) | $80.34 |
| 1 Summer Dress in a Chain Store (Zara, etc...) | $43.29 |
| 1 Pair of Adidas Walking Shoes (Mid-Range) | $78.06 |
RENT PER MONTH
The reason why Reading is so full of newcomers is the renting which is cost effective.
The average cost of one bedroom flat in the city center is $1120 per month and out of it is just around $900, which is affordable when the average salaries are taken into account.
| Average Rent Prices | |
|---|---|
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center | $1123.13 |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center | $961.01 |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center | $2134.90 |
How Does the Average Person Spend Their Money in Reading?
While one third of the salary would be spent on food, the other one will be given for the rent.
You will need to find the place to live, but have in mind that if you head to the outskirts of the city, you will get a better deal and reduced prices.
Living on the budget is always a struggle and avoiding non-essential expenses is the best way of managing the whole month.
You can always walk or cycle to save on transportation, you can eat at home, instead of restaurants and wear low-cost clothes.
Average Costs Breakdown
Reading: Average Salary, Minimum Wage & Mortgages
Reading is so attractive to people from other countries due to its closeness to London.
You get great salaries, excellent living conditions, but far too lower accommodation costs.
Even some people settle in Reading and work in London, as a 30 minute train journey is possible to stand every day, while you are saving a lot on the cost of living in Reading which can be up to £1,000 a month cheaper than in the capital.
Mortgage interest rates are also affordable here, for those who think about purchasing property.
Cost of Living by City in United Kingdom
| City | Cost of Living Index |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen |
73.02 |
| Bath |
74.48 |
| Belfast |
62.42 |
| Birmingham |
64.46 |
| Brighton |
69.54 |
| Bristol |
69.58 |
| Cambridge |
72.6 |
| Cardiff |
62.12 |
| Coventry |
66.31 |
| Derby |
61.5 |
| Edinburgh |
61.5 |
| Exeter |
66.56 |
| Glasgow |
66.5 |
| Leeds |
68.26 |
| Leicester |
65.59 |
| Liverpool |
62 |
| London |
81.31 |
| Manchester |
69.86 |
| Milton Keynes |
78.5 |
| Newcastle upon Tyne |
62.76 |
| Norwich |
64.95 |
| Nottingham |
67.05 |
| Oxford |
72.6 |
| Peterborough |
41.93 |
| Plymouth |
70.02 |
| Portsmouth |
71.04 |
| Sheffield |
62.64 |
| Southampton |
63.73 |
| Swindon |
69.92 |
| York |
69.33 |
It’s interesting to think about how the allure of a better life can be overshadowed by the reality of high living costs. Those cute little cafes and historic sites are tempting, but it’s a bit of a wake-up call to consider how far your paycheck actually goes in places like London. Finding a balance definitely seems key.
It’s true, the cost of living can really catch you off guard, especially in places like London. Exploring smaller cities might just be the way to go for a better balance!
This really hits on the part people tend to gloss over. The salaries might look great on paper, but once you factor in rent, transport, energy bills and just basic groceries in places like London or even Manchester, the numbers stop feeling so exciting. It’s easy to underestimate how much of your income disappears every month. Going for a smaller or less hyped city can make a massive difference to your quality of life and stress levels.