When choosing where to study, students usually think about the degree, the university’s reputation, and future career prospects. But one factor that can be just as important – and often overlooked – is the cost of living in the city itself.
From rent and transport to food and social life, monthly costs can quickly add up – and the city you choose can have a big impact on your finances and your overall university experience. With the cost of living continuing to rise, these differences can amount to hundreds of pounds each month, making location a key factor in planning for university life.
This guide looks specifically at UK cities with a Russell Group university, comparing both reputation and affordability to reveal the most and least expensive places to study. The aim is to help students and families balance academic ambition with the realities of living costs when preparing for their university application.
How We Calculated The Rankings
To identify the most and least expensive cities in the UK for university students, we carried out a multi-source analysis. Our methodology combines research with real-world pricing insights to provide a comprehensive and accurate picture of student living costs.
We combined these data points to calculate an overall cost for each city. While actual expenses will naturally vary depending on personal lifestyle choices, these primary and secondary costs provide a solid foundation for comparing living expenses across different cities from a typical student’s perspective.
- Accommodation – Monthly rent for a room in a shared accommodation.
- Utilities – A total of basic household utilities (water, gas, electricity), mobile phone plan (calls + 10GB data), and home internet (60Mbps+).
- Food & Groceries – Average monthly grocery spend for 1 person and cost of three meals per month at inexpensive restaurants.
- Transportation – Monthly public transport pass (typically bus outside London) and two monthly taxi journeys (calculated at 1-hour wait at standard tariff).
- Social Life – The total cost of a monthly gym membership, one cinema ticket, and three nights out (including venue entry, 2-3 pints, a bite to eat, and short transport).
We drew on the following sources, selected for their reliability and relevance to student life:
- NatWest Student Living Index 2025 – Offers detailed insights into student living costs and city rankings.
- Numbeo – Provides up-to-date research on cost of living, safety, and quality of life.
- SpareRoom – Lists average room rents in UK towns and cities, helping gauge shared student accommodation costs.
- Rightmove – Shows current rental prices (used for cross-referencing).
- Nimblefins – Supplies insights on household food expenses.
- Puregym – Selected as as a benchmark for accessible, nationwide gym membership costs.
By combining multiple sources, cross-checking against real-world prices, and applying a consistent methodology, our rankings provide an objective, transparent, and highly reliable assessment of student living costs, helping students and their families make more informed decisions.
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The 10 Most Expensive Cities in the UK for Students
While the top spot is no surprise, several other cities across the UK compete for a place in the top 10 most expensive UK cities to attend university – including some in the North, a region often seen as more affordable.
The 10 most expensive UK cities for students in 2025 are:
10. Cardiff — £1,295.00
While Cardiff offers relatively affordable entertainment and social activities, its mid-to-high accommodation costs, along with average grocery and utility prices, make it the tenth most expensive UK city for students.
 9. York — £1,330.00
York ranks ninth largely due to high accommodation costs. On the plus side, fitness enthusiasts will be pleased to know it offers the UK’s cheapest student gym memberships (from just £13 per month) as well as some of the lowest-priced restaurant meal deals.
8. Glasgow — £1,331.00
Glasgow offers relatively affordable accommodation, but higher utility costs place it eighth on our list. On the upside, students under 22 benefit from free public transport in Glasgow (like in Edinburgh), helping to offset some living expenses.
7. Bristol — £1,353.00
Bristol ranks high due to its inflated rent and utility costs, but it stands out for the most affordable social life and leisure activities. Students can expect to spend around £96 on these, which is over 50% less than in the priciest cities, such as Liverpool and London.
6. Manchester — £1,364.00
Manchester is the sixth most expensive city for students, driven by rising rent and above-average utility costs. However, the city boasts a vibrant cultural scene, and with a monthly transport pass over 50% cheaper than in London, it remains an attractive option for students looking to socialise and explore what the city has to offer.
5. Exeter — £1,419.00
Exeter ranks fifth, primarily due to having the highest utility costs among the cities in our study and average-high rent, food and groceries, and leisure activities costs. On the plus side, the city offers affordable transport options, helping students manage their overall living expenses while enjoying the city’s vibrant student life.
4. Cambridge — £1,507.00
Cambridge ranks fourth, with the third highest rent (£795) alongside above-average utility and grocery costs. However, students benefit from significantly lower spending on social life and leisure activities compared with London, helping to balance overall living expenses.
3.Edinburgh — £1,548.00
Edinburgh ranks third, with the second highest rent and some of the highest utility costs. Spending on food, groceries, and social activities sits around the list average. On the upside, students under 22 can (like in Glasgow) benefit from free public transport, helping to offset some living expenses.
2. Oxford — £1,555.00
Oxford takes the second spot, with high costs across all major categories. Compared with London, however, it is slightly cheaper for rent, food, and groceries, and notably more affordable when it comes to transport and social activities.
1. London — £1,793.00
Unsurprisingly, London is the most expensive city for students, topping the list in rent, food, and groceries. It ranks slightly lower for utilities and social life, though the city offers many free entertainment options – most major museums, galleries, and cultural events – that help balance living costs. Rent can also vary significantly depending on how far you live from the city centre, making it a more flexible option for students seeking access to culture and big-city life.
The 10 Cheapest Cities in the UK for Students
These ten cities combine affordable housing, transport, and essentials, though certain costs can vary. Whether you prioritise cheap rent, low groceries, or overall budget-friendliness, these cities provide good overall options for students looking to make the most of their money.
10. Southampton — £1,273.00
While rent and utilities can be moderately priced, transport, groceries, and social activities are generally affordable.Â
9. Birmingham — £1,259.00
Birmingham offers more affordable housing than the southern cities, along with reasonably priced transport and groceries. However, students who frequently go out should note that social activities can still add up, making the city less budget-friendly in that regard.
8. Milton Keynes — £1,253.00
One of the cheapest for rent and groceries, though utility costs are slightly higher.
7. Warwick — £1,234.00
Affordable overall, but transport may add up for students commuting to nearby cities.
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6. Leeds — £1,213.00
Among the cheapest for rent, with lively student life that won’t break the bank.
5. Liverpool — £1,208.00
Liverpool ranks highly for affordable housing, groceries, and transport. On the downside, social and leisure activities are the priciest on our list, averaging £238, so students who enjoy going out frequently should plan their budgets accordingly.
4. Nottingham — £1,175.00
Nottingham is known for its low housing and transport costs, making it a great choice for budget-conscious students. However, groceries can be relatively expensive, so careful meal planning or shopping at lower-cost supermarkets can help keep overall expenses down.
3. Sheffield — £1,146.00
Sheffield ranks as the third most affordable UK city for students, thanks to the lowest rent (£507) and reasonably priced groceries, transport, and leisure activities. However, utilities can be relatively costly, with broadband services averaging around £35 per month – the highest on our list.
2. Newcastle Upon Tyne — £1,131.00
Newcastle is affordable across the board, topping the list for the lowest grocery and food costs (£108). Its combination of cheap housing, transport, and living essentials makes it an attractive option for budget-conscious students.
1. Belfast — £1,122.00
Belfast is the most affordable city overall, offering the lowest total of utilities and contracts on our list (£157.46). While some niche services and student amenities may be limited compared with larger cities, it provides excellent value for students looking to minimise living costs.
The Most & Least Expensive Regions in the UK for Students
Student living costs vary significantly across the UK, with averages reflecting differences in rent, utilities, groceries, transport, and leisure. By analysing cities by region, we can see which areas are more budget-friendly and which come at a premium.
Below is a breakdown of regions, starting with the most expensive first:
1. London & South East – £1,476
The South East is the most expensive region overall. Cities like London, Oxford, Cambridge, drive high costs, particularly in housing and utilities. While social and leisure activities can be cheaper in some cities, overall living expenses remain high, making this region the priciest for students.
2. Scotland – £1,439
Scotland is the second most expensive region, with Edinburgh and Glasgow contributing to higher living costs through rent and utilities. Students under 22 benefit from free public transport, helping to offset some expenses, and average grocery and leisure costs remain moderate.
3. South West – £1,386
The South West ranks third in terms of cost, largely due to high housing prices in Bristol and high-cost utilities and social activities in Exeter.
4. Wales – £1,295
Wales, represented by Cardiff in our list, sits mid-range in terms of affordability. Accommodation is mid-to-high, while groceries and utilities are around average. Transport and social activities tend to be reasonably priced, helping students maintain a balanced lifestyle.
 5. North West – £1,286
North-western cities like Manchester and Liverpool offer lower rent and grocery costs compared with southern regions, though social and leisure expenses in Liverpool can be high.Â
6. Midlands – £1,223
The Midlands are among the three most affordable regions (more affordable than the North West), with lower housing and transport costs. Cities like Birmingham and Nottingham are generally budget-friendly, though leisure activities can still add up if students don’t plan ahead.
7. North East – £1,205
The North East is one of the most affordable regions. Newcastle leads in low housing, transport, and grocery costs, while York has higher accommodation costs but offsets them with inexpensive gyms and restaurants. Students can enjoy low living costs without sacrificing social and cultural opportunities.
8. Northern Ireland – £1,122
Northern Ireland, represented by Belfast in our list, is the least expensive region overall, thanks to the lowest utilities and reasonable housing costs. Groceries, however, are among the more expensive categories here, but with a bit of planning and smart shopping, students can still enjoy one of the most affordable lifestyles in the UK.
Cost Categories Breakdown Per City
Understanding the city and regional cost breakdowns presented in this guide and planning ahead can help students make informed decisions based on budget allowances and lifestyle preferences.
Below are the top three most and least expensive cities per key cost category:
Rent for a Room
Most Expensive: London, Edinburgh, Oxford
Least Expensive: Sheffield, Liverpool, Newcastle
Utilities & Contracts
Most Expensive: Exeter, Oxford, Edinburgh
Least Expensive: Belfast, York, Nottingham
Food & Groceries
Most Expensive: London, Cambridge, Belfast
Least Expensive: Newcastle, York, Sheffield
Transport
Most Expensive: London, Cambridge, Oxford
Least expensive: Liverpool, Southampton, Belfast
Social and Leisure
Most Expensive: Liverpool, London, Manchester
Least Expensive: Bristol, Newcastle, Birmingham
Tips for Students Choosing a University City
Studying in high-cost cities like London, Oxford, or Edinburgh can be a great experience but requires careful budgeting. Prioritise essential expenses such as rent, utilities, and groceries before discretionary spending. Consider living slightly outside the city centre to reduce rent, take advantage of student discounts on transport, and track your spending to avoid overshooting your budget.
Students can save significantly with a few practical strategies:
Cook at home instead of eating out; plan meals and shop at budget-friendly supermarkets – you can often find your favourite brands at half the price compared with larger chains.
Use public transport wisely – many cities offer discounted or free student passes. Make sure you’re using the right fare and plan your journeys in advance to take advantage of any early bird fares.
Take advantage of student discounts on entertainment, restaurants, and cultural activities, often available through student union cards. Signing up is simple – usually, all you need is your student email.
Share accommodation to split rent and utility costs – often unavoidable, but can also be a rewarding experience, as many students make lifelong friends through house shares.
Look for free or low-cost activities such as museums, libraries, parks, and community events – for example, most world-class museums and exhibitions in London offer free entry.
Conclusion
The cost of studying in the UK extends well beyond tuition fees. From London to Belfast, each city and region presents a unique balance of expenses and lifestyle opportunities.
While the South East and Scotland stand out as the most expensive regions, the North East, Midlands, and Northern Ireland provide excellent value. By planning ahead and applying practical cost-saving strategies, students can make informed choices that align both with their academic goals and financial realities.
If you’re preparing to apply to G5 and other Russell Group universities, understanding the cost of living in different cities is a great first step. Coupled with insights into acceptance rates and effective application preparation with expert support from UniAdmissions, this knowledge will put you on the right path to academic success.
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FAQs
1. Which UK city/region is the most expensive for students in 2025?
London and the South East tops the list as the most expensive city/region for students, with high costs across accommodation, food, and groceries. Utilities and social life are slightly cheaper compared with rent and groceries, but overall living expenses remain the highest in the UK.
2. Which UK city is the most affordable for students in 2025?
Belfast is the most affordable city overall, offering low utilities, reasonable housing, and budget-friendly transport options. With careful planning, students can enjoy an affordable lifestyle while studying in Northern Ireland.
3. How do regional costs compare across the UK?
The South East, including London, Oxford, and Cambridge, is the priciest region for students. Scotland and the South West also have high costs. In contrast, the North East, Midlands, and Northern Ireland offer some of the most affordable options for student living.
4. What factors were considered in the cost rankings?
Our analysis looked at five key categories: rent, utilities, food & groceries, transport, and social life. We combined multiple data sources to provide accurate and reliable rankings.
5. How can students save money while studying in expensive cities?
Students can reduce costs by cooking at home, using discounted or free student transport passes, sharing accommodation, taking advantage of student discounts on entertainment, and exploring free or low-cost cultural activities like museums and parks.
