Cost of Living in Colchester - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $871 (excluding rent), and $2,273 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,409 (excluding rent), and $4,468 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.29 £15.36

$12.17 £9.22

$40.57 £30.72

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$95.8 £72.5

$82.1 £62.2

$137 £104

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.81 £8.18

$10.13 £7.67

$13.32 £10.08

Cappuccino

$4.78 £3.62

$3.46 £2.62

$6.92 £5.24

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

$1.58 £1.19

$1.39 £1.05

$4.88 £3.69

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.06 £0.8

$0.81 £0.61

$3.09 £2.34

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.96 £5.27

$4.18 £3.17

$8.35 £6.32

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.98 £4.52

$4.78 £3.62

$8.64 £6.54

Milk (1 liter)

$1.65 £1.25

$1.39 £1.05

$2.01 £1.52

White Bread (500g)

$1.33 £1.01

$0.84 £0.63

$3.46 £2.62

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.65 £1.25

$1.22 £0.92

$5.29 £4

Eggs

$3.59 £2.72

$1.83 £1.38

$4.15 £3.14

Local Cheese (1kg)

$8.47 £6.41

$3.88 £2.94

$13.89 £10.51

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.08 £6.12

$3.99 £3.02

$11.74 £8.89

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.49 £10.21

$6.92 £5.24

$20.77 £15.73

Apples (1kg)

$2.97 £2.25

$0.91 £0.69

$6.02 £4.55

Banana (1kg)

$1.21 £0.91

$1.04 £0.79

$2 £1.51

Oranges (1kg)

$2.86 £2.17

$1.32 £1

$3.94 £2.98

Tomato (1kg)

$2.55 £1.93

$0.6 £0.45

$3.99 £3.02

Potato (1kg)

$1.24 £0.94

$0.48 £0.36

$2.66 £2.01

Onion (1kg)

$1.47 £1.11

$0.9 £0.68

$4.04 £3.06

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.29 £0.98

$0.69 £0.52

$2.77 £2.09

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.13 £0.85

$0.59 £0.45

$1.99 £1.5

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$18.34 £13.88

$16 £12.11

$24 £18.17

Wine (Bottle)

$10.87 £8.23

$10.54 £7.98

$19.77 £14.97

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.53 £1.91

$0.91 £0.69

$3.1 £2.35

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.4 £1.81

$1.32 £1

$5.29 £4

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.32 £2.52

$2.66 £2.01

$3.32 £2.52

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$78.9 £59.7

$59.2 £44.79

$102 £77.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$6.22 £4.71

$4.84 £3.67

$9.68 £7.33

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.56 £1.18

$1.4 £1.06

$1.73 £1.31

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$24.56 £18.6

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.94 £1.47

$1.86 £1.41

$2.04 £1.54

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

$37.7K £28.6K

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

$41.5K £31.4K

$41.7K £31.6K

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

$251 £190

$206 £156

$409 £310

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

$14.46 £10.95

$8.26 £6.25

$17.21 £13.03

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$35.26 £26.69

$27.47 £20.8

$57.7 £43.68

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$42.33 £32.05

$29.82 £22.57

$67.8 £51.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$10.78 £8.16

$6.73 £5.1

$14.82 £11.22

Cinema Ticket

$18.98 £14.37

$13.81 £10.45

$34.51 £26.12

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

$1,358 £1,028

$2,173 £1,645

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$22.7K £17.2K

$24.5K £18.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$74 £56

$41.51 £31.42

$138 £105

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$31.12 £23.56

$20.29 £15.36

$40.59 £30.73

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$86.9 £65.7

$40.09 £30.34

$147 £111

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$99.2 £75.1

$26.81 £20.29

$200 £151

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,152 £872

$963 £729

$1,375 £1,041

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,050 £795

$964 £730

$1,171 £886

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,645 £1,245

$1,529 £1,157

$3,367 £2,549

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,780 £1,348

$1,338 £1,013

$2,676 £2,026

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,048 £3,822

$4,024 £3,046

$5,561 £4,210

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,561 £2,696

$3,161 £2,393

$3,761 £2,847

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,076 £2,329

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.45

4.54

5.9

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

Last update: November 30, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Colchester - Frequently Asked Questions

Cost of Living in Colchester sits at a practical balance of history, accessibility, and modern services, making it a solid value base for travelers, expats, and digital nomads. Compared with larger UK cities, you’ll find a range of housing options at more affordable rents, plus compact services that keep daily expenses predictable. The setting benefits from easy rail connections to London, active local markets, and mid-range dining that won’t blow your budget. Neighborhoods cluster around the town center and leafy suburbs, offering walkable cores and quieter residential streets. Tip: map out a short-term lease to test fit before committing.

Daily life in Colchester centers on practical routines and easy access to shops, parks, and cafés. For housing, many travelers start with a short-term rental in or near the town center and widen to leafy suburbs if you want quieter nights. Food options range from local markets to affordable chains and independent eateries with seasonal produce. Getting around is straightforward by train, bus, bike lanes, and walkable neighborhoods; errands can be handled on foot in the core, while weekends invite strolls along the riverside. Colchester living cost varies by neighborhood, so map your priorities first. Tip: build a simple weekly plan to keep groceries and transit predictable.

Quality of life in Colchester blends historic charm with a compact, easygoing pace. You’ll find safe, walkable streets, green spaces, and cultural sites that suit short visits or longer stays. To budget effectively, focus on a simple framework: cover housing with a reliable central base, then allocate funds for food, transit, and occasional leisure as needs shift with the seasons. Seasonal crowds at markets and outdoor events can influence timings and prices, so build flexibility into your plan. Neighborhood fit often comes down to commute, access to amenities, and preferred pace – little-town vibes near a river jogger’s path or a busier spine around the castle. Tip: test several areas during different times of week.