Cost of Living in Braintree - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $904 (excluding rent), and $2,658 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,713 (excluding rent), and $5,053 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$18.49 £14

$13.7 £10.37

$41.09 £31.11

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$81.4 £61.7

$67.9 £51.4

$136 £103

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$7.59 £5.74

$6.6 £4.99

$11.2 £8.48

Cappuccino

$2.27 £1.72

$1.92 £1.45

$5.95 £4.51

Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.19 £0.9

$1.06 £0.8

$4.62 £3.5

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$0.99 £0.75

$2.85 £2.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.2 £4.7

$3.45 £2.61

$9.65 £7.31

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.99 £4.54

$4.67 £3.54

$8 £6.05

Milk (1 liter)

$1.88 £1.42

$0.86 £0.65

$2.62 £1.99

White Bread (500g)

$2.31 £1.75

$1.07 £0.81

$3.69 £2.79

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.91 £1.45

$0.67 £0.5

$3.33 £2.52

Eggs

$4.36 £3.3

$2.64 £2

$7.26 £5.5

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.57 £7.24

$7.74 £5.86

$11.89 £9

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$12.57 £9.51

$6.7 £5.07

$18.77 £14.21

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$19.32 £14.63

$15.99 £12.1

$22.66 £17.15

Apples (1kg)

$2.41 £1.83

$1.35 £1.02

$5.39 £4.08

Banana (1kg)

$1.86 £1.41

$1.23 £0.93

$2.74 £2.07

Oranges (1kg)

$3.67 £2.78

$1.35 £1.02

$4.11 £3.11

Tomato (1kg)

$4.7 £3.55

$1.34 £1.01

$6.01 £4.55

Potato (1kg)

$1.69 £1.28

$0.81 £0.61

$2.69 £2.03

Onion (1kg)

$1.51 £1.14

$1.03 £0.78

$2.07 £1.57

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.19 £0.9

$0.81 £0.62

$1.35 £1.02

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.71 £1.3

$0.52 £0.39

$2.06 £1.56

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.77 £14.21

$17.43 £13.19

$20.45 £15.48

Wine (Bottle)

$8.98 £6.8

$5.13 £3.88

$19.24 £14.56

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.31 £2.5

$1.37 £1.04

$4.11 £3.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.24 £2.45

$2.78 £2.11

$3.48 £2.63

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.41 £2.58

$2.75 £2.08

$4.12 £3.12

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$88.5 £67

$59 £44.65

$102 £77

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.85 £5.19

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.38 £1.81

$1.85 £1.4

$3.84 £2.9

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$23.21 £17.57

$20.48 £15.5

$32.77 £24.81

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.87 £1.42

$1.8 £1.36

$2 £1.52

Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)

$39.1K £29.6K

Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)

$41.6K £31.5K

Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)

$340 £257

$242 £183

$403 £305

SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)

$10.8 £8.18

$27.01 £20.44

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$38.23 £28.94

$54.6 £41.35

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$34.11 £25.82

$27.29 £20.66

$61.4 £46.49

Cinema Ticket

$13.73 £10.39

$9.54 £7.22

$20.59 £15.58

Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)

$1,387 £1,050

$1,354 £1,025

$1,421 £1,076

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$12.3K £9,315

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$105 £79.2

$40.75 £30.85

$204 £154

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$42.65 £32.29

$26.94 £20.39

$67.4 £51

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$61.6 £46.66

$164 £124

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$121 £91.9

$67.6 £51.2

$162 £123

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,224 £926

$952 £720

$1,224 £926

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,280 £969

$741 £561

$1,280 £969

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,047 £1,549

$1,590 £1,203

$2,183 £1,653

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$2,215 £1,677

$1,315 £996

$2,215 £1,677

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,902 £4,468

$2,615 £1,979

$5,902 £4,468

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,039 £1,543

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.9

5.2

Citycost data is based on AI and user input – minor inaccuracies may occur.

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Braintree - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Braintree, United Kingdom sits in a comfortable middle tier for southern England, with housing typically more affordable than central London while offering straightforward rail access to the capital. As a traveler, expat, or digital nomad, you'll find practical options: comfortable flats, family houses, and short-term rentals near the town center. Groceries and dining present sensible choices, from local markets to familiar chains. The pace is relaxed, amenities are walkable, and connections to Colchester, Cambridge, and London are convenient for occasional ventures. Seasonal highlights include weekend markets and outlet shopping that help balance your budget. Tip: Start with a short-term stay to test neighborhoods and transit times.

The Braintree, United Kingdom living cost is a helpful gauge as you plan daily life. Housing search usually yields a mix of town-center flats and larger houses on the outskirts, with local agents and portals guiding viewings. For groceries, expect supermarkets alongside local markets and affordable cafés. Transport relies on the rail line to London and regional buses; many use bikes or walk for short trips. Errands stay convenient with a handful of essential shops in town and easy trips to nearby towns for specialty items. Tip: Create a quick compare-list of rents, transit times, and essential amenities.

Quality of life in Braintree hinges on balance and neighborhood fit. Use a simple budgeting framework: housing and utilities first, groceries and meals second, transport and phone/internet third, with a buffer for leisure. In practice, picking a walkable neighborhood near the town center or the rail station reduces transit costs and saves time. Seasonal activities include farmers markets, countryside walks, and occasional outlet shopping trips that can be wallet-friendly with advance planning. If you value green space, consider areas near the River Brain or Creek. Tip: Set a monthly review day to adjust your plan as you settle in.