Cost of Living in Manchester

Joshua Wood

If you're moving to Manchester, understanding the the cost of living in Manchester helps you know what to expect when it comes to apartment or house hunting, grocery shopping, transportation, dining out, utilities and more.

Category	Cost
Apartment Rentals	1-bedroom apartment in city centre: £700 – £1,000 per month 1-bedroom apartment outside city centre: £500 – £700 per month 3-bedroom apartment in city centre: £1,200 – £2,000 per month 3-bedroom apartment outside city centre: £800 – £1,200 per month
Apartment Purchases	Price per square metre in city centre: £3,000 – £4,500 Price per square metre outside city centre: £1,500 – £2,500
Transportation	One-way local transport ticket: £2.50 – £4.00 Monthly local transport pass: £50 – £70 Taxi starting tariff: £2.50 – £3.50 Taxi 1km tariff: £1.50 – £2.00 Gasoline (1 litre): £1.20 – £1.35
Groceries	Milk (1 litre): £0.80 – £1.10 Bread (500g): £0.80 – £1.50 Rice (1kg): £0.70 – £2.00 Eggs (12): £1.50 – £3.00 Cheese (1kg): £5.00 – £12.00 Chicken breasts (1kg): £5.00 – £8.00 Beef round (1kg): £7.00 – £12.00 Apples (1kg): £1.00 – £2.50 Bananas (1kg): £0.80 – £1.50 Oranges (1kg): £1.00 – £2.50 Tomatoes (1kg): £1.00 – £2.50 Potatoes (1kg): £0.50 – £1.50 Onions (1kg): £0.50 – £1.50 Water (1.5 litre bottle): £0.50 – £1.00
Restaurants	Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: £10 – £15 Three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant: £40 – £60 Fast food meal: £5 – £7 Cappuccino: £2.00 – £3.50 Beer (0.5 litre draught): £3.50 – £5.00 Soft drink (0.33 litre bottle): £1.00 – £1.50 Water (0.33 litre bottle): £0.80 – £1.20
Utilities	Basic utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage) for 85m2 apartment: £100 – £200 per month Internet (60 Mbps or more, unlimited data, cable/ADSL): £20 – £40 per month
Private School Tuition	Preschool (or Kindergarten) tuition: £6,000 – £12,000 per year Elementary school tuition: £8,000 – £15,000 per year Middle school tuition: £10,000 – £18,000 per year High school tuition: £12,000 – £20,000 per year

Monthly Budget for Retirees in Manchester

“The cost of living in Manchester, is generally considered to be more affordable than in London, but it is still higher than in many other cities in the UK. Housing costs, including rent and property prices, are relatively lower compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for those looking to relocate. However, utility bills, transportation costs, and grocery prices are similar to the national average.Eating out at restaurants and enjoying leisure activities can be moderately priced, with a wide range of options to suit different budgets. Public transportation is well-connected and reasonably priced, but owning a car can be expensive due to fuel costs and parking fees. Overall, Manchester offers a good balance of affordability and quality of life, making it an appealing choice for many people,” said one expat living in Manchester.

Can I live in Manchester on $1,500 a month?

“I’ve been living in Manchester for a few years now, and I can tell you that it’s possible to live on $1,500 a month, but you’ll have to make some sacrifices. First, you’ll need to find a place to live that’s affordable. Some of the more expensive neighborhoods like Didsbury, Chorlton, and Altrincham might be out of your budget. Instead, consider looking for a flat in areas like Fallowfield, Withington, or Levenshulme. These neighborhoods are more affordable and still have decent amenities.You’ll also need to be mindful of your spending on things like groceries, transportation, and entertainment. Shopping at discount supermarkets like Aldi or Lidl can help you save on groceries. For transportation, consider getting a monthly bus pass or cycling to save on costs. Manchester has a decent public transport system, so you should be able to get around without a car.When it comes to entertainment, there are plenty of free or low-cost activities in Manchester. You can visit museums, art galleries, and parks for free, and there are often free events happening around the city. Eating out can be expensive, so try to cook at home as much as possible and save dining out for special occasions.In terms of utilities and bills, you’ll need to be mindful of your usage to keep costs down. Make sure to turn off lights and appliances when not in use, and try to conserve water and energy as much as possible. You might also want to consider getting a flat with roommates to help split the cost of rent and utilities.Overall, living on $1,500 a month in Manchester is doable, but you’ll need to be disciplined with your spending and make some sacrifices. By living in a more affordable neighborhood, being mindful of your spending, and taking advantage of free or low-cost activities, you should be able to make it work,” commented an expat living in Manchester.

Can I live in Manchester on $3,500 a month?

“I’ve been living in Manchester for a few years now, and I can tell you that it’s definitely possible to live comfortably on $3,000 a month, which is roughly £2,200. However, you might have to make some sacrifices in terms of the neighborhood you choose and the size of your accommodation.When it comes to choosing a neighborhood, I’d recommend looking at areas like Chorlton, Didsbury, or Withington. These are all popular with expats and have a good mix of amenities, like shops, restaurants, and parks. You can expect to pay around £800-£1,000 per month for a one-bedroom apartment in these areas, which should leave you with enough money for other expenses.On the other hand, I’d avoid neighborhoods like Spinningfields, Deansgate, and Castlefield if you’re on a tight budget. These areas are more expensive and cater to a more upscale crowd, so you might struggle to find affordable housing there.In terms of other expenses, you’ll need to budget for utilities, groceries, and transportation. Utilities will likely cost you around £150 per month, while groceries can be anywhere from £200-£300 per month, depending on your eating habits. As for transportation, a monthly pass for public transport in Manchester costs around £60, but you might also want to consider cycling or walking to save money.One sacrifice you might have to make is cutting back on eating out and entertainment. Manchester has a great food scene and lots of fun things to do, but these can add up quickly if you’re not careful. Instead, try cooking at home more often and look for free or low-cost events and activities around the city.Overall, living in Manchester on $3,000 a month is doable, but you’ll need to be mindful of your spending and make some sacrifices in terms of your housing and lifestyle choices,” said one expat living in Manchester.

Can I live in Manchester on $5,000 a month?

“I’ve been living in Manchester for a few years now, and I can tell you that it’s definitely possible to live comfortably on $5,000 a month, even with modern amenities. Of course, you might have to make a few sacrifices, but nothing too drastic. For example, you might not be able to live in the most expensive neighborhoods like Didsbury or Chorlton, but there are plenty of other great areas to consider.One affordable neighborhood I’d recommend is Withington. It’s a bit more budget-friendly than Didsbury, but it still has a nice community feel and plenty of shops, restaurants, and bars. Another option is Levenshulme, which is a bit further out from the city center but has a great market and a growing arts scene.In terms of housing, you’ll probably want to look for a flat rather than a house, as they tend to be more affordable. You can find a decent 2-bedroom flat in Withington or Levenshulme for around £800-£1,000 per month, which should leave you with plenty of money for other expenses.As for transportation, Manchester has a pretty good public transport system, so you might not need a car if you live close to a bus or tram stop. A monthly pass for unlimited travel on buses, trams, and trains within Greater Manchester costs around £100, which is much cheaper than maintaining a car.Eating out and entertainment can be quite affordable in Manchester, too. There are plenty of budget-friendly restaurants and bars, especially in the Northern Quarter and Ancoats areas. And if you’re into sports, you can catch a Manchester United or Manchester City match for around £30-£50 per ticket.Overall, I think you can definitely make it work on $5,000 a month in Manchester. You might have to be a bit more mindful of your spending and make a few sacrifices, but you can still enjoy a comfortable lifestyle with modern amenities,” commented an expat living in Manchester.

Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

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