Cost of Living Calculator
Compare estimated monthly living costs for two UK towns or cities using regional rent and price-level data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Pre-filled with general UK averages. Replace any figure with your own actual costs for a more personal comparison — see Methodology for sources.
Estimated Monthly Living Costs — Comparison
Category Breakdown
Methodology & Sources — please read
This calculator estimates regional cost differences and applies them to the towns you choose. There is no official UK dataset giving exact daily-living costs for every individual town, so figures should be treated as a starting point for comparison, not a precise quote for a specific address.
Rent
Regional rent figures are based on the Office for National Statistics Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR), using the most recently published average monthly rent for each nation and, where separately published, each English region (data to July 2026). Where an exact figure for a specific English region was not separately published in the same release, a reasoned estimate has been used based on the most recent regional data available. Individual towns within a region are assigned that region’s average — actual rents for a specific town or property can differ substantially, especially in commuter towns or university cities.
Utilities, Groceries, Transport & Other
These categories are scaled using the ONS Relative Regional Consumer Price Levels (RRCPL) study — the only official cross-region price comparison ONS has published. Its most recent edition covers 2016 and has not been repeated since (next release “to be confirmed”). It measures relative price differences between regions at one point in time, not current prices or inflation since 2016. We use the overall regional RRCPL index to scale Utilities, Groceries, Transport and Other as a modelling assumption. ONS does not provide a current, detailed town-level price index for each of these categories, so these figures are estimates produced by this calculator rather than separate ONS category-level estimates.
Baseline figures
The default values in each field are general UK-average starting points (rent from ONS PIPR; utilities from the Ofgem typical domestic energy price cap plus typical water and broadband costs; groceries, transport and other are broad household averages). Replace them with your own real costs for a more meaningful personal comparison.
Limitations
- Two towns in the same ONS region will always show identical estimates, because this tool works at regional, not town, resolution.
- The RRCPL index is from 2016 and reflects relative price gaps at that time, not current inflation-adjusted prices.
- Council tax, childcare, insurance and commuting costs into a specific job are not included and can vary the real picture significantly.
- This tool is for general guidance only and isn’t a substitute for researching actual costs in the areas you’re considering.
Related Calculators
- Salary Calculator — work out take-home pay before comparing costs between two locations
- Council Tax Calculator — add local council tax by band for a fuller picture
- Rent vs Buy Calculator — compare renting with buying in your new area
- Mortgage Affordability Calculator — see what you could borrow if you’re moving to buy
- UK Inflation Calculator — see how prices have changed over time UK-wide
UK Cost of Living Calculator
Our Cost of Living Calculator gives you an estimated comparison of monthly living costs between two UK towns or cities, covering rent, utilities, groceries, transport and other everyday spending. It’s built to be transparent about what it can and can’t tell you — see how it works below.
How This Calculator Works
- Choose Town/City A and Town/City B from the dropdown lists, grouped by UK region.
- Check the baseline monthly costs — these start as general UK averages, which you can edit to reflect your own real spending.
- Click Compare Costs to see an estimated monthly and annual cost for each location, the difference between them, and a category-by-category breakdown.
Why Are the Figures “Estimates” Rather Than Precise Town Data?
There’s no official, regularly-updated UK dataset that publishes exact living costs for every town. What does exist are regional figures: the ONS Price Index of Private Rents gives current average rents by nation and by some English regions, and the ONS Relative Regional Consumer Price Levels study gives a one-off comparison (2016) of how much more or less everyday goods and services cost across UK regions. This calculator applies those regional figures to the towns you pick, so two towns in the same region will show identical results — that’s a feature of how UK regional data actually works, not a limitation we’ve tried to hide.
What’s Included in Each Category
| Category | What it covers | Data basis |
|---|---|---|
| Rent | Average monthly private rent | ONS Price Index of Private Rents (regional, ~July 2026) |
| Utilities | Energy, water, broadband | Ofgem price cap + typical water/broadband averages, regionally scaled |
| Groceries | Food and household shopping | UK average, regionally scaled |
| Transport | Fares, fuel, public transport | UK average, regionally scaled |
| Other | Leisure, clothing, subscriptions | UK average, regionally scaled |
Regional scaling for Utilities, Groceries, Transport and Other uses the ONS Relative Regional Consumer Price Levels (2016) — the most recent official study of its kind.
Making the Comparison More Accurate for You
- Use your own numbers: if you know your actual rent, energy costs or grocery spend, enter them instead of the defaults — the regional scaling still applies, but starting from your real costs gives a far more useful comparison.
- Add council tax separately: this isn’t included here — try the Council Tax Calculator for your specific band and local authority.
- Check take-home pay: a lower cost of living matters less if salaries are also lower — the Salary Calculator can help you compare net income too.
Frequently Asked Questions
How accurate are these cost of living estimates?
They’re regional estimates, not precise town-level figures. Rent is based on the latest published ONS regional rent data, while utilities, groceries, transport and other spending are scaled using ONS’s 2016 regional price-level study. Actual costs for a specific street or property can differ noticeably from the regional average, especially in commuter towns, university cities or areas with unusual local demand.
Why do some different towns show the same result?
Because this calculator works at the level of UK statistical regions, not individual towns. Two towns assigned to the same region (for example, Reading and Brighton, both in the South East) will show identical estimated costs, since no official town-by-town dataset exists for all these categories. Editing the baseline figures with your own real costs is the best way to personalise the comparison.
What is the ONS Relative Regional Consumer Price Level (RRCPL)?
It’s a study published by the Office for National Statistics comparing the relative cost of a common basket of goods and services across UK regions, indexed so the UK average equals 100. The most recent edition covers 2016 and hasn’t been repeated since, so it shows relative regional differences from that year rather than current prices. This calculator uses it only to scale the relative gap between two regions, not as an absolute price level.
Where does the rent data come from?
From the ONS Price Index of Private Rents (PIPR), which publishes monthly average rent figures for the UK nations and, for some releases, English regions. Where an English region’s figure wasn’t separately published in the same release, a reasoned estimate based on the most recent available regional data has been used. Rents change monthly, so treat this as a snapshot rather than a live feed.
Can I use this to plan a house move?
It’s a useful starting point for comparing the general cost gap between two areas, but it shouldn’t replace your own research. Check actual rental listings, get local council tax figures, and factor in commuting costs to your specific job before making a moving decision.
Does this calculator include council tax?
No. Council tax varies by local authority and property band rather than by region, so it doesn’t fit this calculator’s regional methodology. Use the Council Tax Calculator to estimate that separately and add it to your comparison.