Here you will find all information you need to know about the cost of living in Leicester with a list of average pricing.
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Moving to an entirely new country has to be one of the biggest decisions you make in life. It comes with its sets of challenges and thrills. It’s a little overwhelming, and okay to be scared. All the emotions you are having right now are valid and justifiable.
In order to help you out and to make matters a little easier on you, I have gathered together all that you need to know before moving to Leicester.
You would be thrilled to know that Leicester is one of the cheaper cities to live in the UK. According to a study, Leicester has the fourth-lowest living costs for students in the UK. Aren’t you already feeling a little lighter? As being a great city for students, Leicester is the home to universities like University Leicester, De Montfort University, and Loughborough University, among others.
You can get the opportunity to study in one of the world’s best universities while enjoying a lower cost of living at the same time. Starting from student accommodation, food, and a diverse range of restaurants, entertainment, mode of transportation, sports, and vacations. You can find anything that fits your taste. It’s a city for everybody.
The food is great too, the people are welcoming, and the community is wholesome. You will settle right in.
It’s time to look at numbers.
Here’s a general estimate of Leicester’s monthly costs:
- £650 for accommodation
- £100 for food shopping
- £58 for local transportation
- £50 for books and printing
- £40 for internet and mobile phone
- £150 for social activities
You can enjoy a comfortable style of living with a monthly budget of £1500. The amount you spend and the way you live will depend upon your personal preference, of course. So you have to plan it according to your needs.
Student Accommodation
Leicester is known as the student city. The rents in Leicester city, therefore, are very low compared to London, Manchester, Oxford, etc. The cost of accommodation and other necessities is set so that students can find it easy to afford and manage a good lifestyle. There are a lot of student accommodation Leicester properties in prime locations. Here are some average prices of them
- Apartment (1 bedroom) in City Center – £541.08
- Apartment (1 bedroom) Outside of Center- £448.37
- Apartment (3 bedrooms) in City Center- £787.81
Remember, these are the general estimates. If you opt for luxury apartments then expect more rent and if you want to share lodgings then you can manage a lower rent.
Transport Costs
Transport is an important cost that you should factor in. As a student, the most convenient form of transport is the bus. It is easy and quick. You don’t have to spend on garages, car wash, gas, or license. If you can rent bikes (bicycles), that would be great as well.
If you have accommodation close to your lecture buildings, you don’t even have to pay for the tickets. Here’s a general list of transport costs.
- One-way Ticket (Local Transport)- £2.40
- Monthly Pass (Regular Price)-£56.00
- Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)-£3.20
- Taxi 1 km (Normal Tariff)-£1.09
- Gasoline (1 liter)-£1.25
Monthly Utilities
Leicester’s utility bills are quite high compared to rent and other necessities. However, don’t be alarmed, it’s still manageable. The services you receive will make the price worth it. For the most basic ones, you’ll need to set aside at least £150, plus £33 for an Internet connection.
Living in the UK is quite expensive when you compare it with the price of other cities. Leicester is comparatively very convenient, but there are some places where you would have to spend more, and it’s on the utilities. To give you an idea
- Basic (Water, Electricity, Garbage, Heating, Cooling)- £155.41
- 1 min. of Prepaid Mobile Local Tariff (No Discounts/Plans)- £0.06
- Internet (60 Mbps or More, Unlimited Data, Cable/ADSL)- £30.11
Grocery
This is the best part of living in this city. The prices of groceries are extremely affordable. Naturally, if you cook your meals, it’ll be a lot cheaper than buying food from restaurants every day. You can get an entire day’s food for £15.
You can finally test your hand at cooking and create dishes of your choice. The grocery stores here carry all kinds of products from all over the world, and they get deliveries of fresh bakeries, veggies, eggs, and milk every morning. Here’s a rough estimate of food prices.
- Eggs (regular) (12) – £1.84
- Lettuce (1 head)-£0.72
- Apples (1 kg) – £1.62
- Oranges (1 kg) – £2.00
- Banana (1 kg) – £1.25
- Local Cheese (1 kg) – £3.96
- Tomato (1 kg) – £1.66
- Potato (1 kg) – £1.26
- Rice (white), (1 kg) – £0.66
- Onion (1 kg) – £0.96
- Water (1.5-liter bottle)
- Milk (regular), (1 liter) – £0.90
- Loaf of Fresh White Bread (500g) – £1.00
- Chicken Fillets (1 kg) – £5.08
- Beef Round (1 kg) (or Equivalent Back Leg Red Meat)-£8.09
- Bottle of Wine (Mid-Range) – £6.00
- Domestic Beer (0.5-liter bottle) – £1.91
- Imported Beer (0.33-liter bottle) – £1.83
- Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro)-£11.00
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Attires and Accessories
Leicester is a fun city, and I am confident you will find the right clothing for you. They have all the international stores as well as local clothing stores which are absolutely amazing. Spending on clothing and accessories will depend on your personal fashion. Leicester is a cold city, so you have to spend more on winter clothes than on summer.
The summers are nice and cloudy, but also short. Therefore, you have to plan according to the season. Your sweaters and jackets will be most used. A pair of jeans, like 1 Pair of Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar) will cost around £47.40. The prices of clothing will vary between stores. You can budget between £60- £100.
Restaurants
Planning is especially vital if you have a minimum wage here, and avoiding pricey restaurants is a great way to save money.
There are low-cost options that cater to student budgets, with a nice dish costing roughly £20. You can occasionally treat yourself at various eateries, but I wouldn’t recommend it daily. That might put a strain on your pocket.
When I’m saying eating out, I mean expensive meals at expensive restaurants. Enjoying your coffee or other small purchases will be fine. Here are a couple of price ranges from various restaurants which will help you plan out.
- Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant- £12
- Meal for 2 People, Mid-range Restaurant, Three-course-£45
- McMeal at McDonald’s (or Equivalent Combo Meal)-£5.99
- Cappuccino (regular)-£2.55
- Coke/Pepsi (0.33 liter bottle)-£1.66
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Sports and Entertainment
Settling in a new country is hard, but that doesn’t mean you have to leave everything behind. You can start a new gym membership here at Leicester and if you never had a membership, all the more reason.
You’ll be happy to know that fitness club memberships are inexpensive and when compared to the cost of living, this is fairly reasonable. The movie theaters are a great place to hang out as well. You will find many recreational activities at Leicester.
Being the city for students, you’ll never run out of options. There are great clubs, restaurants, pubs as well. You will never be bored and there will always be a place to go. Some average pricing you can expect-
- Fitness Club, Monthly Fee for 1 Adult-£26
- Tennis Court Rent (1 Hour on Weekend)-£10.14
- Cinema, International Release, 1 Seat-£9
- 1 cocktail drink in a downtown club – £10
- Dinner for two in a pub – £22
Conclusion
Bottom line, if you are looking for a great education overseas. The UK is one of the best options, and Leicester city should be your main aim. They have world-renowned universities specializing in a variety of fields. You can find a subject of your choice.
Leicester city is affordable, student-friendly, and welcoming. You’ll find all kinds of support and facilities built to make the international students feel right at home. The cost of living is lower and the standard of living is higher. Hope this article helps by giving you an idea of the cost of living in Leicester and planning out your budget.