Cost of Living in Burnley - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $1,804 monthly including rent, or $1,033 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $2,850 with rent, or $1,661 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $3,895 including rent, or $2,289 for daily expenses alone.

Burnley sits 35–38% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are slightly above average (2%) – still relatively affordable for the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.30 £15.12

$13.54 £10.08

$40.60 £30.24

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$80.9 £60.3

$60.7 £45.23

$135 £101

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$8.65 £6.44

$8.30 £6.19

$13.85 £10.32

Cappuccino

$4.10 £3.05

$1.33 £0.99

$5.99 £4.46

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

$2.27 £1.69

$1.66 £1.24

$3.99 £2.97

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.61 £1.20

$1.39 £1.03

$2.78 £2.07

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$3.48 £2.59

$8.34 £6.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.54 £4.13

$7.62 £5.68

Milk (1 liter)

$1.57 £1.17

$0.89 £0.66

$2.69 £2.00

White Bread (500g)

$1.66 £1.24

$1.03 £0.77

$2.79 £2.07

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.61 £1.20

$1.35 £1.00

$6.72 £5.01

Eggs

$3.54 £2.64

$1.59 £1.18

$5.57 £4.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.07 £6.01

$4.04 £3.01

$33.61 £25.04

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.32 £6.20

$4.17 £3.10

$12.49 £9.30

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.70 £10.21

$6.84 £5.10

$27.39 £20.40

Apples (1kg)

$2.43 £1.81

$2.09 £1.55

$7.36 £5.48

Banana (1kg)

$1.38 £1.02

$1.07 £0.80

$4.82 £3.59

Oranges (1kg)

$1.66 £1.24

$1.33 £0.99

$3.99 £2.97

Tomato (1kg)

$2.69 £2.00

$2.02 £1.50

$7.41 £5.52

Potato (1kg)

$1.72 £1.28

$0.52 £0.39

$2.64 £1.97

Onion (1kg)

$1.59 £1.19

$0.53 £0.39

$2.92 £2.18

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.33 £0.99

$0.67 £0.50

$2.02 £1.50

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.19 £0.88

$0.79 £0.59

$3.06 £2.28

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$17.22 £12.83

$16.53 £12.31

$20.66 £15.39

Wine (Bottle)

$10.96 £8.17

$6.85 £5.10

$13.70 £10.21

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.82 £2.10

$2.06 £1.54

$4.76 £3.54

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.89 £1.41

$1.34 £1.00

$5.37 £4.00

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.85 £2.12

$2.65 £1.98

$3.04 £2.27

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$107 £79.9

$57.9 £43.16

$107 £79.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$3.34 £2.49

$8.00 £5.96

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.11 £0.83

$1.99 £1.48

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$16.48 £12.28

$27.47 £20.47

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.94 £1.45

$1.85 £1.38

$2.07 £1.54

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

$38.1K £28.4K

$33.7K £25.1K

$38.1K £28.4K

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

$40.7K £30.4K

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

$275 £205

$180 £134

$482 £359

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

$17.28 £12.88

$13.70 £10.21

$47.95 £35.72

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.64 £32.51

$34.38 £25.61

$68.8 £51.2

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.84 £34.15

$27.16 £20.24

$61.1 £45.54

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$16.93 £12.61

Cinema Ticket

$7.86 £5.85

$7.52 £5.60

$17.77 £13.24

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

$1,565 £1,166

$1,214 £904

$1,888 £1,407

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$6,898 £5,139

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$79.9 £59.5

$47.24 £35.20

$135 £101

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$43.20 £32.18

$27.00 £20.11

$62.1 £46.25

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.3 £64.3

$41.00 £30.55

$123 £91.6

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$72.5 £54.0

$40.91 £30.48

$136 £102

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$768 £572

$1,223 £911

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$639 £476

$1,065 £794

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,498 £1,116

$1,362 £1,015

$1,634 £1,218

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,264 £942

$1,224 £912

$1,305 £972

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,187 £2,374

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.6

4.26

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

Last update: June 1, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $768 for a central one-bedroom, or $639 outside the center. At 24% of the average salary ($3,187), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $3,187, while typical expenses reach $1,804. This leaves solid room for saving and lifestyle spending.

Expect to spend about $268 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $81.0 for two – broadly in line with the European average.

Public transport is priced at around $107 per month – above the European average of $48.00.

Cost Highlights

Public transport monthly pass is more expensive than 97% of cities in Europe

Burnley is more expensive than 59% of cities worldwide and 57% within Europe.

Burnley Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

Mbps

Fixed Broadband

Mbps

The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

City tags:

🇪🇺 Europe

Cost of Living in Burnley - Frequently Asked Questions

Burnley offers a practical balance of affordability and accessibility. Cost of Living in Burnley is generally more affordable than major UK cities, with quieter streets, shorter commutes, and a wide range of housing options that often come without the premium price tag. You can find cosy flats, traditional terraces, and small homes that suit different work setups. Local services, libraries, and leisure facilities are easy to reach, and the town sits close to green spaces and rail links to larger hubs. It’s a comfortable base for longer stays or periodic work trips, especially if you value a community feel and rate-friendly everyday costs. Tip: plan a weekly routine to balance work, errands, and exploration.

Housing search centers on the town core, with a mix of compact flats, terraces, and some new-builds; outer areas offer more space at lower rents. Food options range from local markets and independent shops to supermarkets and casual eateries with regular specials. Transport is practical: a steady rail link to Manchester and beyond, good bus coverage, and walkable streets in the center. Co-working spaces exist, and many cafes welcome remote work with reliable Wi-Fi. When budgeting, Burnley living cost varies by area and can help you compare options without price tags. Tip: start with short stays near the station and test different neighborhoods before committing.

Quality of life in Burnley centers on a friendly, compact setting with easy access to countryside and the moors. A simple budgeting framework helps: divide your month into housing, utilities, groceries, transport, and leisure; review actual spending for a couple of weeks to calibrate. Seasonality affects heating needs and clothing costs, but smart layering and energy-conscious habits can keep bills steadier. Neighborhood fit depends on your pace: central areas reward walkers and social life; suburban pockets suit families or quieter work rhythms. Tip: choose a base that minimizes commute times to your main activities and test it with a three-month expense map.

With 24% of the average paycheck going to rent, Burnley is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.

Plan for roughly $1,804 a month in Burnley if you're renting, or around $1,033 for non-housing expenses. That covers one person's basics: food, bills, getting around, and a modest social life. Couples and families will need more, especially for housing and childcare.

Earning $2,707 monthly in Burnley means you're living well – a one-bedroom, regular groceries, transport, and some entertainment without stress. That's the threshold where most residents feel genuinely comfortable rather than just getting by.

Rents for a 1-bedroom flat in Burnley range from $639 to $768, depending on location and condition. Central apartments sit at the top of that range; outer neighborhoods and suburbs deliver noticeably better value per square meter.

A monthly transit pass in Burnley goes for roughly $107, which is one of the lighter items on a monthly budget. Coverage across residential and business areas is solid, and most residents without a car rely on it daily.

Childcare averages $1,565 monthly at a private kindergarten in Burnley. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.

Living on $2,500 in Burnley means careful planning, since monthly costs average $1,804. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.

Expats in Burnley enjoy fast internet, clean air, family-friendly facilities, and monthly costs average around $1,804. The international crowd is active and welcoming, and practical stuff – bank accounts, apartment hunting, healthcare – is all manageable with some basic prep.

Monthly expenses in Burnley run around $1,804, so putting money aside takes more than $2,707 in income. Keeping housing costs low and avoiding lifestyle creep are the keys to building a decent savings rate here.