Liverpool is among the most exciting cities in the UK, as it is bursting with culture, vibrant nightlife, a rich history, an impressive music scene, and a good quality of education, with the University of Liverpool ranking 165th worldwide. If you’re wondering how much the cost of living in Liverpool is, we will give you a breakdown of the main costs you need to know and how to save up on your expenses.

Life in Liverpool

Living in Liverpool is a memorable experience for students, as it is a fun and safe student city known for its amazing nightlife. The city’s nightlife is especially seen in the Baltic Triangle, which has various music venues; it also hosts the vibrant Baltic Market, which is full of lovely places to eat. The city is also relatively affordable compared to other UK cities. Another benefit of living in the city is its beautiful libraries, most notably the Central Library, and its parks, of which Sefton Park is the most popular.

The estimated cost of living is £1,500 to £1,700 per month, which is a big difference compared to the £3,000 to £4,700 per month cost of living in London. The UK government, however, recommends you have at least £1,136 per month throughout your studies. It is a must to have that amount for a period of nine months to be considered eligible to stay in Liverpool. The average salary in Liverpool is £33,000 to £36,600 per year.

Liverpool also enjoys a good quality of life. Liverpool was also nominated as the Northwest’s top city to live in, according to The Sunday Times' rating of the best places to live in the UK, where Liverpool overtook Manchester in 2023. The areas of Waterloo and Toxteth in Liverpool were highlighted in that same list for their charm and community feel. In 2025, The Sunday Times named Woolton, a suburb of Liverpool, as the best place to live in the Northwest.

Cost of Living in Liverpool

As previously mentioned, the cost of living in Liverpool is £1,500 to £1,700 per month, including rent. Remember that changes can occur due to personal preferences and lifestyle choices. Listed below are the estimated costs of living in Liverpool based on aggregate data.

How Much Does Food Cost in Liverpool for Students?

In this section, we’ll list average food costs in Liverpool for some of the essential staples. The following costs were compiled through aggregate costs provided for Liverpool.

How to Save Up in Liverpool?

Even though Liverpool is a relatively affordable city to live in, it is not the most affordable in the UK. Still, what it makes up for in price, it makes up for in quality, as you’ll be experiencing a city of culture that provides gorgeous views, green spaces, history, and world-class education. That said, you can always save on costs during your stay. 

Affordable Casita Liverpool Student Accommodation Options

Cathedral Campus (Most Affordable):

Cathedral Campus is a budget-friendly student accommodation in Liverpool offering non-en-suite rooms, studios, and two-bedroom apartments. It's located around 23 minutes from the city centre by public transport."

Moorfield (Affordable and close to the Centre):

This Liverpool student accommodation is slightly more expensive than Cathedral Campus and is a mere six-minute walk from Liverpool city centre. For this student house in Liverpool, the available options are en-suites.

Arrad House (Affordable)

This Liverpool student accommodation is affordable and a 20-minute commute from the property. You will find that the classic en-suite is among its cheapest options.

Cheapest Shopping Brands

To save up costs, you must know the cheapest grocery chains available. These brands are the cheapest in the entirety of the UK, not only in Liverpool. The cheapest brand for a basket of 56 items in 2024 was Aldi, which had an average cost of £100.29, succeeded by Lidl, which had a cost of £101.56 without the Lidl Plus loyalty card and £101.48 with it. Other cheap brands include Asda and Sainsbury’s.

Most Affordable Mode of Transport

The most affordable mode of transport in Liverpool is cycling, where you can access various bike hire services or even buy your own bike to save up in the long term. The next cheapest option is bus transportation, with the Adult Day Solo Ticket bus fare for a day costing you £4.80.

Liverpool vs London vs Manchester

According to Mercer, a 2024-published list of the most expensive cities to live in the United Kingdom, London ranked among the top 10 with an average cost of living of £4,235.90 per month, including rent; Manchester ranked fourth on the list with an average cost of living of £1,914.30 per month, including rent; and lastly, Liverpool ranked tenth on the list with an average cost of living of £1,705.90 per month, including rent. In the following subsections, we’ll make a more detailed comparison of Liverpool vs. London and Liverpool vs. Manchester.

Cost of Living in Liverpool vs London

As previously mentioned, when comparing Liverpool vs London, London will overtake Liverpool in cost. In the following table, we will break down the price differences between both cities. Prices may vary depending on personal lifestyle choices and personal preferences. Prices are subject to change.

Cost of Living in Liverpool vs Manchester

Manchester, compared to Liverpool, is slightly more expensive, coming in between London and Liverpool in terms of price. In this section, we’ll break down the average costs between both cities. Please note that costs are subject to change.

Liverpool should definitely be on your list if you’re looking for quality education and an exceptional student experience. However, we recommend that you carefully budget your expenses before travelling. For more information regarding Liverpool student accommodation, it would help if you check out our website or contact our helpful and multilingual team. 

You will also find various useful links that will help you get acquainted with the UK and pro tips and guides, such as Cost of Living in Australia vs UK: A Comprehensive Guide. Student Accommodation in the UK vs Student Housing in the US, How to Apply to a UK University as an International Student, UK University Interview Tips and Tricks, among other helpful resources.

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