Cost Of Living in Birmingham 2025
Average monthly spending for singles, couples, students, and families in Birmingham
Whether you're living in Birmingham or planning to move there, it is very important to know the cost of living and the prices of things. Here we list the average spending for the four main population groups.
Average Monthly Expenditure
Currency: GBP
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Single
Currency: GBP
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Couple
Currency: GBP
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Family
Currency: GBP
Monthly Expenditure ▶ Student
Currency: GBP
Prices and cost of goods and services in Birmingham
Dining, food, and beverages costs
Fast food combo meal
Restaurant meal for one
Fine dining meal for one
Cappuccino or latte
Grocery and market costs
Milk large bottle
12 eggs
Fresh whole chicken
Pack of beef
Medium bag of rice
Bag of tomatos
Bag of apples
Commute, travel, and transportation costs
20 minutes taxi ride
Average car full tank
Average car 1-day rental
Average car price
| 10,000 GBP | 20,000 GBP | 27,000 GBP |
Bus ticket one way
Car Service
Utility cost (monthly)
Utility Bill - Individual
Utility Bill - Couple
Utility Bill - Family
Internet and cable
Mobile phone charges
Leisure and activities costs
Movie ticket
One month gym membership
Cloths and accessories costs
Pair of jeans or pants
Woman dress
Woman shoes
Men's shoes
Men suit
Regular t-shirt
Housing costs / monthly rent
Studio apartment
| 440 GBP | 660 GBP | 1,800 GBP |
1-bedroom apartment
| 680 GBP | 1,100 GBP | 2,700 GBP |
2-bedroom apartment
| 940 GBP | 1,400 GBP | 3,800 GBP |
Housing costs / Buying
Studio apartment
| 94,000 GBP | 140,000 GBP | 280,000 GBP |
| $120,000 | $180,000 | $360,000 |
1-bedroom apartment
| 120,000 GBP | 190,000 GBP | 730,000 GBP |
| $150,000 | $250,000 | $920,000 |
2-bedroom apartment
| 180,000 GBP | 530,000 GBP | 1.1M GBP |
Furniture Costs
King Size Bed
Double Bed
Single Bed
Living Room
| 520 GBP | 670 GBP | 2,300 GBP |
Dining Table
Sofa or Couch
Electronics and House Appliance Costs
TV Set
Fridge or Freezer
Washing Machine
Stove or Cooker
Mobile Phone
Laptop or Computer
The figures displayed here are inclusive of everything: housing, travel, groceries, healthcare, etc.
Singles
The average monthly expense for a single person living in Birmingham is 3,500 GBP. Expenses can range from 500 GBP at the minimum level to 39,000 GBP at the highest end.
Couples
The average monthly spending of couples in Birmingham is 5,200 GBP. Expenditure can range from 800 GBP to 48,000 GBP per month.
Families
The average cost of living for families in Birmingham is 6,200 GBP per month. Families spend anywhere from 1,200 GBP to 62,000 GBP.
Students
The average monthly expenditure for students in Birmingham is 2,400 GBP. Students spend from 380 GBP to 27,000 GBP per month.
Spending behavior can change drastically from one person to another. It is best to consider the minimum, average, and maximum spending together.
A typical and healthy budgeting structure
The 50/30/20 rule
Spending among different people can vary significantly based on factors such as their income, lifestyle,
location, and personal preferences. A commonly used guideline for budgeting is the 50/30/20 rule,
which suggests allocating your income into three main categories in the following percentages.
50% for needs and financial obligations
This category includes essential expenses like housing, utilities, groceries, transportation, and healthcare.
30% for wants and discretionary spending
This category covers discretionary spending on non-essential items, such as dining out, entertainment, travel, and other lifestyle choices.
20% for savings and emergency fund
This is the percentage that must be allocated to savings, emergency funds, and retirement accounts.
About financial planning, money management, and household budgeting
The 50/30/20 rule is used as a general guideline but may not be the best choice for all people. There are in fact many budgeting plans out there like the 70/20/10 and the 60/20/20 rules, all claiming to be the best. More important than all of this is to establish financial discipline by creating a budget tailored to your specific financial goals and situation. It is very important that your financial outflow be less than your income to maintain a healthy cash flow.
How do people spend their money in Birmingham?
We asked thousands of people about their spending habits and expenditure breaks. Below are their answers.
The percentage figures in this section are percentages of total spending not income. If you would like to see the percentage of expenses as related to income or salary, see other sections.
Housing Expenditure26%
26% of total expenses on average (15% to 34%)
| LOW | $140 110 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $1,400 1,100 GBP |
| HIGH | $21,000 17,000 GBP |
| Per Month |
People living in Birmingham typically spend from 15% to 34% of their total monthly expenditure on housing with 26% being the average. The average spend on housing is 1,100 GBP with expenditure ranging from 110 GBP to 17,000 GBP. This cost mainly goes for rent but it also includes other accommodation-related expenses. Housing costs are highest for families and lowest for students as expected.
Utilities, Electricity, Water, Internet, Mobile7%
7% of total expenses on average (4% to 11%)
| LOW | $20 16 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $200 160 GBP |
| HIGH | $3,000 2,400 GBP |
| Per Month |
Utility expenditure like electricity, water, and gas in Birmingham ranges from 4% to 11% of total expenses with 7% being the average. The average monthly cost of utilities is 160 GBP with 16 GBP and 2,400 GBP being the upper and lower limits.
Transport, Fuel, Commute8%
8% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $44 35 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $440 350 GBP |
| HIGH | $6,700 5,300 GBP |
| Per Month |
Fuel consumption and cost of transport depend heavily on whether you live near your work or school, but roughly speaking you would expect to spend from 35 GBP to 5,300 GBP on commuting with 350 GBP being the norm for most people in one month. This means that money spent on transport constitutes about 8% of total spending on average but can go as low as 4% or as high as 12%.
Food and Groceries Cost27%
27% of total expenses on average (19% to 33%)
| LOW | $110 85 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $1,100 850 GBP |
| HIGH | $16,000 13,000 GBP |
| Per Month |
The average outlay on groceries in a month in Birmingham is 850 GBP. The cost of groceries can range between 85 GBP to 13,000 GBP. People spend on average about 27% on food and groceries with upper and lower bounds of 19% and 33% respectively.
Healthcare and Medical Services9%
9% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $25 20 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $250 200 GBP |
| HIGH | $3,800 3,000 GBP |
| Per Month |
People in Birmingham allocate 4% to 12% of their total monthly expenditure to healthcare including health insurance and out-of-pocket medical expenses. The average spending is around 9%. The range of medical expenses range from 20 GBP to 3,000 GBP with 200 GBP being the norm.
Leisure and Shopping5%
5% of total expenses on average (3% to 9%)
| LOW | $17 14 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $170 140 GBP |
| HIGH | $2,600 2,000 GBP |
| Per Month |
This category mostly contains discretionary or non-essential expenses but also some non-discretionary spending like furniture for example. The monthly expenses range from 14 GBP to 2,000 GBP with 140 GBP being the average. Speaking of percentages, that equates to 3% to 9% of total expenses with an average of 5% for most residents.
Education and Schooling6%
6% of total expenses on average (4% to 12%)
| LOW | $26 20 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $260 200 GBP |
| HIGH | $3,900 3,100 GBP |
| Per Month |
Spending on education can vary drastically between different people. While working singles can spend 0% on education, families and students' expenditure can reach up to 22%. On average, education constitutes 6% of the monthly expenditure with 4% and 12% being the lower and upper bounds respectively. The average reported education cost is 200 GBP per month with 20 GBP being the minimum spent amount and 3,100 GBP being the maximum.
Other Expenses13%
13% of total expenses on average (8% to 20%)
| LOW | $60 47 GBP |
| AVERAGE | $600 470 GBP |
| HIGH | $9,000 7,100 GBP |
| Per Month |
Expenditure to Income Ratio in Birmingham
One of the most definite ways to determine how affordable a place is measuring the ratio of expenses to salary. A high expense-to-income to ratio indicates a high cost-of-living index while a low expenditure-to-salary ratio means the place is affordable to live in.
Spending to Income Ratio
100%
89% to 110%
( expenditure / income ) x 100
Expense to income distribution levels
| Spending To Income Ratio | % People |
|---|
| < 50% | 5% |
| 50% - 60% | 10% |
| 60% - 70% | 17% |
| 70% - 80% | 26% |
| 80% - 90% | 17% |
| 90% - 100% | 10% |
| 100% - 110% | 5% |
| 110% - 120% | 3% |
| 120% - 130% | 2% |
| 130% - 140% | 2% |
| > 140% | 1% |
Interpretation and Analysis
The average spending-to-salary ratio in Birmingham is 100%
This means that on average, people spend around 100% of their income for living.
According to the distribution table, 17% of the population spend approximately 60% to 70% of their income every month.
How can spending be more than income?
A value higher than 100% means that the expenditure of those people is higher than their income. They are spending more than what they earn. This is possible in two scenarios. They are either borrowing from their savings to survive or they are borrowing from other sources (relatives, friends, banks, etc.). More about this in the debt section.
Individual
93%
Spending-Income-Ratio
83%
100%
Couple
100%
Spending-Income-Ratio
91%
110%
Family
100%
Spending-Income-Ratio
91%
110%
Emergency Funds
An emergency fund is a financial safety net comprised of easily accessible savings set aside to cover unexpected expenses or financial emergencies, typically amounting to three to six months' worth of living expenses. We asked residents whether they have an emergency fund and the answers were as follows.
Yes69%
No31%
Based on the survey, 31% of the people living in Birmingham said that they don't have an emergency fund while 69% said that they do.
Financial goals of people in Birmingham
In an attempt to understand the economic situation in Birmingham, we asked participants about their financial targets. By knowing what the population in general is trying to achieve, we can shed light on the economic outlook, cost of living, and quality of life in general.
| Financial Goal | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Fund | 7% |
| Debt Reduction | 36% |
| Retirement Savings | 9% |
| Education Funding | 8% |
| Homeownership | 17% |
| Investing | 8% |
| Travel or Lifestyle | 9% |
| Healthcare Expenses | 11% |
| Financial Independence | 7% |
Around 7% of those who participated in the survey said that their main goal is to establish an emergency fund to cover unexpected expenses while 36% said their number one priority is to pay off high-interest debt or loans and improve credit. 9% of surveyed people confirmed that saving for retirement to ensure a comfortable lifestyle in the final years is their main target. Around 8% reported that their priority is saving for the tuition fees and education costs of their children while 17% choose to buy a home or pay off existing mortgage before other things. 8% of the population would like to build wealth through investments such as stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or real estate. For 9% of people, saving for vacations or upgrading their lifestyle is the number one concern. Approximately 11% of the residents said that saving for healthcare expenses including insurance premiums is their main goal.
Typical saving choices for people in Birmingham
Where do people choose to put their savings?
| Saving Type | % People |
|---|
| Emergency Funds | 11% |
| Gold | 11% |
| Savings Accounts | 17% |
| Retirement Accounts | 11% |
| Cash Savings | 18% |
| Real Estate | 10% |
| Investment | 6% |
| Stocks | 5% |
| Bonds | 6% |
| Mutual Funds | 3% |
| Certificates of Deposit | 3% |
Low-cost alternatives in Birmingham
People are always looking for ways to cut down expenses and reduce expenditures. The hallmark of any affordable place is the availability of discount stores, bargain deals, smart or secondhand shopping, refurbished items, and couponing. We asked residents how easily cost-cutting is and the answers were distributed as follows:
Plenty of low-cost options59%
Few low-cost options41%
Based on the survey, 59% of the people living in Birmingham have no problem finding low-cost alternatives to support a frugal lifestyle while 41% think that thriftness is difficult due to scarcity in discount markets and secondhand outlets.
Affordable living in Birmingham
Income and cost of living compatibility
We asked residents one simple question and recorded their answers.
Is it affordable or economical to live in Birmingham?
Around 73% of surveyed residents think that living in Birmingham is affordable with proper budgeting while 27% reported that it is just too expensive and not affordable even with frugality and thriftness.
How much money can you save in Birmingham every month?
We asked thousands of people what percentage of their income can they save in a month. Below are the answers.
What percentage of people in Birmingham manage to save money from their income every month?
Almost 74% of the surveyed people in Birmingham said that they can save some money at the end of each month while 26% said that aren't saving anything.
Percentage of people saving money by population group in Birmingham
| Group | Savers | Non Savers |
|---|
| Singles | 84% | 16% |
| Couples | 84% | 16% |
| Families | 73% | 28% |
Savings-to-Income Ratio
The savings-to-income ratio is measured as the percentage of income that people save over a specific period and it is simply calculated by dividing the saved money by total income and then multiplying the result by 100. (Savings / Income) x 100.
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
170 GBP
$210 | 1,700 GBP
$2,100 | 25,000 GBP
$32,000 |
For most people, 15% to 41% of their monthly income is what they can allocate to their savings, with 27% being the average. The amount of money that people can save is approximately 1,700 GBP on average with savings ranging from 170 GBP to 25,000 GBP.
84% of surveyed singles reported some of their income going to savings while 84% of couples said the same. 73% of families confirmed their ability to save money.
How much money do people actually save in Birmingham?
The amount of money that people can afford to save depends hugely on their income. It is better to focus on the percentage when trying to understand saving patterns.
Singles
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
160 GBP
$200 | 1,400 GBP
$1,800 | 16,000 GBP
$20,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for singles
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Singles |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 30% |
| 10% - 20% | 24% |
| 20% - 30% | 16% |
| 30% - 40% | 15% |
| 40% - 50% | 11% |
| > 50% | 4% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Singles who can afford to save reported that they allocate from 19% to 43% of their monthly income to savings, with 32% being the average for most singles. The average amount of money that singles are able to save is 1,400 GBP with 160 GBP and 16,000 GBP being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Couples
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
320 GBP
$410 | 2,100 GBP
$2,700 | 19,000 GBP
$24,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for couples
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Couples |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 34% |
| 10% - 20% | 26% |
| 20% - 30% | 19% |
| 30% - 40% | 10% |
| 40% - 50% | 8% |
| > 50% | 3% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Couples who confirmed their ability to save reported saving equivalent to 17% to 43% of their monthly income, with 30% being the average for most couples. The average amount of money that couples can save is 2,100 GBP with 320 GBP and 19,000 GBP being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Families
Saving to Income Ratio
Average Monthly Saved Amount
500 GBP
$630 | 2,500 GBP
$3,200 | 25,000 GBP
$32,000 |
Savings to income distribution levels for families
| Saving To Income Ratio | % Families |
|---|
| 0% - 10% | 37% |
| 10% - 20% | 29% |
| 20% - 30% | 20% |
| 30% - 40% | 7% |
| 40% - 50% | 5% |
| > 50% | 2% |
Interpretation and Analysis
Families in Birmingham can save anywhere between 13% to 35% of their monthly income, with 22% being the average for most families. The average amount of money that families can put aside is 2,500 GBP with 500 GBP and 25,000 GBP being the minimum and maximum respectively.
Retirement, pension plans, and life after work in Birmingham
What does the retirement lifestyle look like in Birmingham and how much retirement savings are required?
Retirement age
The retirement age for most employees in is 65 years. Specific retirement ages can vary based on factors like occupation, gender, years of contribution, and location. It is not entirely unlikely for people to retire either before or after this age.
Retirement planning and savings
There are many retirement saving options, some are personally initiated and others are government-sponsered. Regardless of the source of savings, the minimum amount of money that needs to be put aside to ensure a peaceful and comfortable retirement at each age can be found in the table below. This data is largely approximated and can vary drastically based on individual needs and situations. Treat these figures as a general guideline.
The typical saved amount of money you should have at every age as multiples of monthly salary:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 5x monthly salary at age 25 |
| 30 | 10x monthly salary at age 30 |
| 35 | 15x monthly salary at age 35 |
| 40 | 25x monthly salary at age 40 |
| 45 | 32x monthly salary at age 45 |
| 50 | 48x monthly salary at age 50 |
| 55 | 56x monthly salary at age 55 |
| 60 | 64x monthly salary at age 60 |
| 65 | 78x monthly salary at age 65 |
The typical average saved amount of money you should have at every age in Birmingham:| Age | Amount |
|---|
| 25 | 8,000 GBP |
| 30 | 17,000 GBP |
| 35 | 30,000 GBP |
| 40 | 44,000 GBP |
| 45 | 60,000 GBP |
| 50 | 87,000 GBP |
| 55 | 110,000 GBP |
| 60 | 140,000 GBP |
| 65 | 150,000 GBP |
Retirement Income Distribution
We asked residents about their retirement income sources and below are the results.
| Source | % People |
|---|
| Pensions | 13% |
| Savings | 22% |
| Investments | 13% |
| Social Security | 8% |
| Annuities | 8% |
| Part-time Job | 12% |
| Real Estate | 17% |
| Dividends and Interest | 8% |
Retirement Monthly Expenses in Birmingham 280 GBP
$360 | 2,500 GBP
$3,200 | 28,000 GBP
$36,000 |
Saving Challenges in Birmingham
Reasons that make it difficult for people to save money
We wanted to understand what is stopping people from maximizing their savings in Birmingham. Listed below are the answers given by the survey participants.
| Reason | % People |
|---|
| Low Income | 6% |
| High Expenses | 9% |
| Debt and Loans | 16% |
| Lack of Budgeting Skills | 11% |
| Impulsive Spending | 10% |
| Financial Emergencies | 6% |
| Living the moment | 6% |
| Will do it later | 18% |
| Inflation | 12% |
| Social Pressure | 3% |
| Market Instability | 3% |
Around 6% of the people said that their salary is too low to accommodate a portion for savings while 9% said that the high cost of living leaves little room for savings. 16% of the residents said that they are burdened with debt and find it challenging to save money. 11% reported that they just don't have the knowledge or discipline to create and stick to a budget, leading to overspending and an inability to save. 10% blamed impulsive spending as the reason for saving inability. Around 6% said that unexpected expenses like medical bills or car repairs are derailing their savings goals. 6% bluntly said that they don't see the purpose of it and prefer to live each day to the fullest. 18% reported that they understand the value of saving but are putting off saving for the future, thinking they have plenty of time to start later. 12% blamed inflation, saying that every time they save some money they end up using it immediately. A surprising 3% said that social pressure and keeping up with peers or social expectations makes them overspend. Lastly, 3% blamed market instability and price fluctuations.
Debt, loans, and mortgages in Birmingham
Percentage of people who are in debt
According to the survey, 30% of the people in Birmingham have some kind of debt, loan, mortgage, or credit card payments while 70% reported that they don't have financial obligations to banks.
Debt-to-income ratio in Birmingham
Debt to income ratio
27%
18% to 37%
( monthly debt payment / monthly income ) x 100
Interpretation
The debt-to-income ratio measures the percentage of income being paid as debt settlement across the population. It is calculated by dividing the monthly debt settlement payment of an individual by their monthly income. Based on collected data, approximately 27% of the people's monthly income in Birmingham goes to debt settlement.
Debt levelsMonthly debt settlement payment as percentage of monthly income
| Debt-to-income ratio | % People |
|---|
| > 60% | 3% |
| 50% - 60% | 14% |
| 40% - 50% | 12% |
| 30% - 40% | 14% |
| 20% - 30% | 13% |
| 10% - 20% | 16% |
| 0% - 10% | 27% |
According to our data, 3% of the debtors in Birmingham pay 60%+ of their income as debt settlement while 14% of the people pay 50% to 60% of their income for the same, which is quite an alarming financial situation for those individuals. 12% of people in debt dedicate 40% to 50% of their income to loan and mortgage payments while 14% dedicated 30% to 40% of income for same. Things are looking brighter for 13% of individuals as they only pay 20% to 30% of their income for loan and credit card repayment.
Distribution by type of debt in Birmingham
| Debt | % People |
|---|
| Real Estate Mortgage | 11% |
| Auto Loan | 20% |
| Student Loan | 3% |
| Credit Card | 27% |
| Personal Loan | 39% |
11% of debtors in Birmingham confirm that real estate mortgages constitutes the main part of their outstanding debt while 27% say that credit card payments are the reason they are in debt. Auto loans were the main type of debt for 20% of people and personal loans rose at 39%. Lastly, student loans are the main source of debt for 3% of debtors in Birmingham.
About credit score and debt managementManaging debt is a critical aspect of maintaining a favorable credit score. Debt reduction is the first thing you should do improve your financial situation. Getting rid of debt takes precedence over saving money because of interest rates.
Good debt vs. Bad debt
Not all debt is bad. Good debt typically refers to borrowing money for investments that can increase in value or generate income over time like purchasing a home or acquiring student loans. On the other hand, bad debt involves borrowing for things that fail to generate lasting value like high-interest credit card debt used for non-essential expenses like luxury items or vacations.
Loan Affordability Index in Birmingham
Besides measuring the loan-to-income ratio, we asked residents how many times in a year they defaulted or were unable to pay their due credit card or loan payments on time. Understanding how often people default on their due payments is one of the indicators of the cost of living and economic situation.
Frequency and percentage of people who failed to pay their monthly credit card or loan payments on time last year.
| Frequency | % People |
|---|
| Never | 53% |
| Once a year | 23% |
| Twice a year | 12% |
| Three times a year | 8% |
| Four times a year | 4% |
Financial Literacy in
Financial literacy is the knowledge of concepts and principles related to personal finance that allow individuals to make informed decisions regarding their money such as budgeting, saving, investing, borrowing, managing debt, financial risk management, and planning.
Financial Leteracy68%
We asked residents of whether they acquired any adequate personal financial training in their lives. Approximately 32% of the people who participated in the survey said that they are not well informed about the topics of budgeting, saving, etc., and just manage things based on their own experience, while 68% said that they know about the general principles of personal finance from sources other than their own experience.
Difficulty in Budgeting and Financial Planning
We wanted to understand whether residents of have problems or difficulties in managing their expenditures and savings so we asked people one simple question: do you struggle with your personal finances? 34% of the participants reported that they indeed struggle in creating budgets and in organizing their finances while 66% said that they have everything under control.
Struggles with finance34%
Easily manages finances66%
Food Prices, Dining Expenses, and Grocery Costs in Birmingham
Grocery / Food expenditure and prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Prices and cost of goods and services in Birmingham
Dining out, food, and beverages costs. Price variations for common food items.
Fast food combo meal price
The average price of a regular combo meal at a fast food outlet or chain like McDonald's, Pizzahut, or KFC in Birmingham is approximatly 8.5 GBP with meal cost ranging from 4.3 GBP to 14 GBP. The typical combo meal consists of a burger, french fries, and a drink.
Restaurant meal for one price
If you are planning to have a nice meal at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay anywhere between 15 GBP and 45 GBP with 23 GBP being the average price of a plate for one person at a regular restaurant in Birmingham.
Fine dining meal for one price
The price range of a meal at fine-dining restaurant is 28 GBP to 170 GBP with the average cost being 43 GBP for one person. This is what you would expect to pay a top-tier diner in Birmingham.
Beverage prices, cappuccino, latte etc..
The average price of a regular beverage like cappuccino or latte at Starbucks, Costa, or similar coffee shops and cafes in Birmingham is around 5.9 GBP. Price ranges between 3.7 GBP and 8.9 GBP depending on the type of beverage, the size, and optional add-ons.
Grocery and market costs
Large bottle of milk price
The average price of a large bottle of milk in Birmingham is 3.6 GBP. The maximum what you would pay for milk is 4.5 GBP and the minimum being 3 GBP depending on the brand of milk and other properties.
12 eggs price
A dozen eggs costs around 2.8 GBP on average with 2.1 GBP and 4.2 GBP being the lower and upper limits respectively.
Fresh whole chicken price
The price range of a fresh whole chicken in Birmingham is between 5.2 GBP and 9.5 GBP depending on the size of the chicken and whether it is oraganic or not. The average price is approximatly 6.7 GBP.
Pack of beef price
The price of a regular pack of beef or meat is around 9.6 GBP. A pack of beef contains around 1Kg or 1lb depending on packing.
Medium bag of rice price
A bag of rice in Birmingham costs around 3 GBP on average with prices rangeing between 2.2 GBP and 4.3 GBP depending on the brand and quality.
Bag of tomatos price
A bag of tomatoes costs anywhere from 0.86 GBP to 2.1 GBP. A bag of tomatoes denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Bag of apples price
A bag of apples costs 2 GBP on average. A bag of apples denotes 1Kg or 1lb depending on location.
Grocery and food expenditure to income ratio
( monthly grocery expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average grocery-to-income ratio in Birmingham is around 31%. This means that people spend 31% of their income on grocery and basic household items. The expenditure can range from 21% to 38% depending on salary and location.
Expenditure on food and grocery for every population group
A single person living alone spends approximately 490 GBP per month on grocery and food with expenditure fluctuating between 69 GBP and 5,400 GBP depending on location and the type of person. The average cost of food and groceries for a couple is around 620 GBP per month. That number can be get as low as 95 GBP or a high as 5,700 GBP. Families' spending on grocery ranges from 180 GBP to 9,100 GBP with the location, income, and size of the family being the most determinite factors.
Housing costs, accommodation, and housing affordability in Birmingham
Rental costs and house/apartment prices can vary drastically between different areas and locations.
Rent Cost in Birmingham
Monthly Rent Prices
Studio apartment monthly rent cost
| 440 GBP | 660 GBP | 1,800 GBP |
1-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 680 GBP | 1,100 GBP | 2,700 GBP |
2-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 940 GBP | 1,400 GBP | 3,800 GBP |
3-bedroom apartment monthly rent cost
| 1,200 GBP | 1,900 GBP | 5,300 GBP |
Furnished apartment monthly rent cost
| 2,200 GBP | 5,400 GBP | 11,000 GBP |
Townhouse monthly rent cost
| 1,800 GBP | 2,600 GBP | 7,500 GBP |
House monthly rent cost
| 2,200 GBP | 5,500 GBP | 11,000 GBP |
Villa monthly rent cost
| 2,600 GBP | 6,600 GBP | 11,000 GBP |
The monthly rental cost of a studio apartment in Birmingham ranges between 440 GBP and 1,800 GBP, meanwhile the cost of monthly rental of a one-bedroom apartment can be anywhere from 680 GBP to 2,700 GBP. Two-bedroom rentals rate ranges between 940 GBP and 3,800 GBP per month. The monthly rental for a three-bedroom apartment ranges from 1,200 GBP to 5,300 GBP. The average rent of a townhouse in Birmingham is around 2,600 GBP while house rental costs can be as high as 5,500 GBP per month. Finally, if you want to rent a villa, expect to pay anywhere from 2,600 GBP to 11,000 GBP per month.
Apartment and house prices in Birmingham
Cost of buying a property
Studio apartment price
| 94,000 GBP | 140,000 GBP | 280,000 GBP |
| $120,000 | $180,000 | $360,000 |
1-bedroom apartment price
| 120,000 GBP | 190,000 GBP | 730,000 GBP |
| $150,000 | $250,000 | $920,000 |
2-bedroom apartment price
| 180,000 GBP | 530,000 GBP | 1.1M GBP |
3-bedroom apartment price
| 600,000 GBP | 910,000 GBP | 2.7M GBP |
Townhouse price
| 810,000 GBP | 1.9M GBP | 7.1M GBP |
House price
| 980,000 GBP | 5.9M GBP | 8.4M GBP |
Villa price
| 1.2M GBP | 6.5M GBP | 9.7M GBP |
The average price of a studio apartment in Birmingham can range from 94,000 GBP to 280,000 GBP depending on location. One bedroom cost can be anywhere from 120,000 GBP to 730,000 GBP. A villa can cost you 6.5M GBP on average with prices ranging from 1.2M GBP to 9.7M GBP.
If you're leasing or purchasing, housing costs in Birmingham will probably constitute your biggest expenditure, yet it's an area where you wield considerable influence. This is due to the substantial variance in housing prices across communities. Keep in mind the location of your workplace and the accessibility of essential amenities to prevent negating the savings from lower rental rates with increased transportation expenses.
House / apartment prices to income ratio
Property price to income ratio
( average property price / average monthly income ) x 100
| 67 | x200 monthly income | 340 |
Property prices in Birmingham can be x200 to x340 multiples of the monthly income depending on the property and the income of the person. On average, property prices are approximately x200 multiples of the average monthly salary in Birmingham.
Rent to income ratio
Rent to income ratio
( monthly rental / monthly income ) x 100
The average rent-to-income ratio in Birmingham is around 43%. This means that people pay 43% of their income for rent. Those figures can range from 30% to 57% depending on the salary, location, and type of property.
The housing-to-income ratio is a very important metric to evaluate and measure how affordable living is in a particular area, city, or country since housing comprises the biggest chunk of expenditure. A higher housing to income ratio means that the place is relatively expensive. The figure by itself does tell much. It only starts to make sense when comparing the housing to income ratio across different locations.
Housing affordability index
The housing affordability index measures how affordable accommodation is in a particular place. This can measured in multiple ways, the most common being housing expenditure to total expenditure ratio and the rent to income ratio. The housing expenditure ratio is a figure reported by individuals on the percentage they allocate for housing. Rent to income ratio is calculated by dividing the average monthly rent by the average income. Because these values are both percentages, we can find their average and get the best of the two worlds.
Housing Affordability Index
31% Property Taxes
Real estate owners pay property taxes to local tax authorities, which are determined by the assessed value of their property. Typically, these taxes are paid once a year. Property tax funds contribute to community development, financing infrastructure improvements, public services, and local education initiatives.
Home Maintenance Costs
Home maintenance costs encompass various expenses associated with the upkeep and repair of a residence. These expenditures include regular tasks such as lawn care, pest control, and HVAC system servicing, as well as occasional repairs and renovations like fixing leaks, painting, or replacing appliances.
Urban vs. rural living costs
Urban living typically entails higher housing and transportation costs due to demand and limited space, while rural areas generally offer lower housing expenses but may have higher prices for goods and services. The differnce in rental rates between urban areas and rural areas can be as high as 300% in some cases.
Monthly costs and expenses of energy and basic utilities in Birmingham
Utilities expenditure can vary slightly between different areas and locations.
Energy, electricity, water, gas, internet, and mobile cost in Birmingham
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Individual
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Couple
Utility Bill Cost / Electricity + Water + Gas / Family
Internet and cable cost
Mobile phone bill and charges
Because most utility bills club electricity, water, and gas costs in one bill, we can't provide a breakup for each type of utility and will display electricity, gas, and water as single cost.
The average monthly expenditure for individuals on electricty, water, and gas in Birmingham ranges between 24 GBP and 1,900 GBP with average being 170 GBP, meanwhile the expenditure of couples is slightly higher at 180 GBP with 25 GBP and 2,100 GBP being the upper and lower limits respectively. As expected, the energy and water consumption of families is the highest among the three groups with an average of 240 GBP. The cost of internet and WiFi is unchanged among the three groups and ranges from 23 GBP to 61 GBP with 46 GBP being the average internet bill. Finally, the average monthly mobile charges is around 23 GBP but can range between 14 GBP and 68 GBP depending on consumption. Mobile charges include both calling minutes as well as data packages.
Energy / Utility expense to income ratio
( monthly utility expenses / monthly income ) x 100
The average utility-to-income ratio in Birmingham is around 6.4%. This means that people pay 6.4% of their income for energy, water, internet, and mobile charges. Those figures can range from 2.5% to 11% depending on salary and location.
Cost of living comparison by city
#1 Strontian
The average cost of living in Strontian is 1,500 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Strontian is ranked first in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#2 Stromness
The average cost of living in Stromness is 1,500 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Stromness is ranked second in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#3 St Davids
The average cost of living in St Davids is 1,500 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. St Davids is ranked third in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#4 Kirkwall
The average cost of living in Kirkwall is 1,600 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Kirkwall is ranked fourth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#5 Wells
The average cost of living in Wells is 1,600 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Wells is ranked fifth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#6 Bangor
The average cost of living in Bangor is 1,700 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Bangor is ranked sixth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#7 Ripon
The average cost of living in Ripon is 1,700 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Ripon is ranked seventh in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#8 Abingdon
The average cost of living in Abingdon is 1,700 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Abingdon is ranked eighth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#9 Truro
The average cost of living in Truro is 1,700 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Truro is ranked ninth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#10 Canterbury
The average cost of living in Canterbury is 1,800 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Canterbury is ranked tenth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#11 Inverness
The average cost of living in Inverness is 1,800 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Inverness is ranked eleventh in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#12 Salisbury
The average cost of living in Salisbury is 1,900 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Salisbury is ranked twelfth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#13 Winchester
The average cost of living in Winchester is 1,900 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Winchester is ranked thirteenth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#14 Lisburn
The average cost of living in Lisburn is 1,900 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Lisburn is ranked fourteenth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#15 Durham
The average cost of living in Durham is 1,900 GBP, which is 67% less than the country average. Durham is ranked fifteenth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#16 Wakefield
The average cost of living in Wakefield is 2,000 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Wakefield is ranked sixteenth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#17 Chester
The average cost of living in Chester is 2,000 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Chester is ranked seventeenth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#18 Hartlepool
The average cost of living in Hartlepool is 2,100 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Hartlepool is ranked eighteenth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#19 Stirling
The average cost of living in Stirling is 2,100 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Stirling is ranked nineteenth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#20 Derry
The average cost of living in Derry is 2,100 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Derry is ranked twentyth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#21 Newry
The average cost of living in Newry is 2,100 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Newry is ranked twenty-onth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#22 Cambridge
The average cost of living in Cambridge is 2,200 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Cambridge is ranked twenty-twoth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#23 Gloucester
The average cost of living in Gloucester is 2,200 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Gloucester is ranked twenty-threth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#24 Exeter
The average cost of living in Exeter is 2,300 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Exeter is ranked twenty-fourth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#25 Norwich
The average cost of living in Norwich is 2,300 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Norwich is ranked twenty-fivth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#26 Poole
The average cost of living in Poole is 2,300 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Poole is ranked twenty-sixth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#27 Lincoln
The average cost of living in Lincoln is 2,300 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Lincoln is ranked twenty-seventh in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#28 Newport
The average cost of living in Newport is 2,400 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Newport is ranked twenty-eightth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#29 Dundee
The average cost of living in Dundee is 2,400 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Dundee is ranked twenty-ninth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#30 Armagh
The average cost of living in Armagh is 2,500 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Armagh is ranked thirtyth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#31 Oxford
The average cost of living in Oxford is 2,500 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Oxford is ranked thirty-onth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#32 Peterborough
The average cost of living in Peterborough is 2,600 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Peterborough is ranked thirty-twoth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#33 York
The average cost of living in York is 2,600 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. York is ranked thirty-threth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#34 Aberdeen
The average cost of living in Aberdeen is 2,700 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Aberdeen is ranked thirty-fourth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#35 Portsmouth
The average cost of living in Portsmouth is 2,700 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Portsmouth is ranked thirty-fivth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#36 Southampton
The average cost of living in Southampton is 2,700 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Southampton is ranked thirty-sixth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#37 Swansea
The average cost of living in Swansea is 2,700 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Swansea is ranked thirty-seventh in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#38 Wolverhampton
The average cost of living in Wolverhampton is 2,800 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Wolverhampton is ranked thirty-eightth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#39 Plymouth
The average cost of living in Plymouth is 2,800 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Plymouth is ranked thirty-ninth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#40 Brighton
The average cost of living in Brighton is 2,900 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Brighton is ranked fortyth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#41 Derby
The average cost of living in Derby is 2,900 GBP, which is 33% less than the country average. Derby is ranked forty-onth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#42 Newcastle
The average cost of living in Newcastle is 3,000 GBP, which is same as the country average. Newcastle is ranked forty-twoth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#43 Belfast
The average cost of living in Belfast is 3,000 GBP, which is same as the country average. Belfast is ranked forty-threth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#44 Nottingham
The average cost of living in Nottingham is 3,100 GBP, which is same as the country average. Nottingham is ranked forty-fourth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#45 Kingston upon Hull
The average cost of living in Kingston upon Hull is 3,100 GBP, which is same as the country average. Kingston upon Hull is ranked forty-fivth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#46 Coventry
The average cost of living in Coventry is 3,200 GBP, which is same as the country average. Coventry is ranked forty-sixth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#47 Bradford
The average cost of living in Bradford is 3,200 GBP, which is same as the country average. Bradford is ranked forty-seventh in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#48 Leicester
The average cost of living in Leicester is 3,300 GBP, which is same as the country average. Leicester is ranked forty-eightth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#49 Cardiff
The average cost of living in Cardiff is 3,300 GBP, which is same as the country average. Cardiff is ranked forty-ninth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#50 Edinburgh
The average cost of living in Edinburgh is 3,400 GBP, which is same as the country average. Edinburgh is ranked fiftyth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#51 Somerset
The average cost of living in Somerset is 3,400 GBP, which is same as the country average. Somerset is ranked fifty-onth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#52 Manchester
The average cost of living in Manchester is 3,500 GBP, which is same as the country average. Manchester is ranked fifty-twoth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#53 Sheffield
The average cost of living in Sheffield is 3,500 GBP, which is same as the country average. Sheffield is ranked fifty-threth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#54 Bristol
The average cost of living in Bristol is 3,600 GBP, which is same as the country average. Bristol is ranked fifty-fourth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#55 Liverpool
The average cost of living in Liverpool is 3,600 GBP, which is same as the country average. Liverpool is ranked fifty-fivth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#56 Leeds
The average cost of living in Leeds is 3,700 GBP, which is same as the country average. Leeds is ranked fifty-sixth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#57 Glasgow
The average cost of living in Glasgow is 3,700 GBP, which is same as the country average. Glasgow is ranked fifty-seventh in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#58 Birmingham
The average cost of living in Birmingham is 3,800 GBP, which is same as the country average. Birmingham is ranked fifty-eightth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
#59 London
The average cost of living in London is 3,800 GBP, which is same as the country average. London is ranked fifty-ninth in United Kingdom in terms of expendenture and cost of living.
Published: September 6, 2024 Last Update: April 20, 2025
