Cost of Living in Ely, Cambridgeshire - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $873 (excluding rent), and $2,271 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,211 (excluding rent), and $4,557 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$19.41 £14.69

$14.29 £10.82

$24.52 £18.56

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$88.8 £67.2

$80 £60.6

$97.6 £73.9

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$12.58 £9.52

$9 £6.81

$16.14 £12.22

Cappuccino

$5.56 £4.21

$4.88 £3.69

$6.24 £4.72

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

$2.57 £1.95

$1.67 £1.26

$3.48 £2.63

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.75 £1.33

$1.52 £1.15

$1.98 £1.5

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.39 £4.08

$3.83 £2.9

$6.96 £5.27

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$4.48 £3.39

$2.81 £2.13

$6.14 £4.65

Milk (1 liter)

$1.62 £1.23

$0.96 £0.73

$2.26 £1.71

White Bread (500g)

$1.6 £1.21

$1 £0.76

$2.69 £2.04

Rice (white) (1kg)

$2.27 £1.72

$1.38 £1.04

$4.13 £3.12

Eggs

$3.93 £2.98

$2.47 £1.87

$5.48 £4.15

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.62 £7.28

$4.25 £3.22

$16.2 £12.26

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.76 £6.63

$5.39 £4.08

$11.91 £9.01

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.95 £10.56

$7.41 £5.61

$21.57 £16.33

Apples (1kg)

$3.17 £2.4

$1.38 £1.05

$5.32 £4.03

Banana (1kg)

$1.59 £1.2

$1.07 £0.81

$2.81 £2.13

Oranges (1kg)

$2.91 £2.2

$1.39 £1.05

$4.17 £3.16

Tomato (1kg)

$3.46 £2.62

$1.61 £1.22

$5.95 £4.5

Potato (1kg)

$1.64 £1.24

$0.68 £0.52

$2.69 £2.03

Onion (1kg)

$1.48 £1.12

$1.07 £0.81

$2.66 £2.02

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.11 £0.84

$0.69 £0.53

$1.65 £1.25

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.48 £1.12

$0.67 £0.51

$2.7 £2.04

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$19.27 £14.59

$16.86 £12.76

$23.4 £17.71

Wine (Bottle)

$10.67 £8.07

$7.77 £5.88

$15.99 £12.11

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$2.71 £2.05

$1.6 £1.21

$4.02 £3.04

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.13 £2.37

$1.61 £1.22

$5.36 £4.06

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.4 £2.58

$2.75 £2.08

$4.12 £3.12

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$87.7 £66.4

$58.4 £44.24

$101 £76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.35 £4.05

$3.88 £2.94

$6.69 £5.06

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.6 £1.21

$1.35 £1.02

$1.94 £1.47

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$22.78 £17.25

$20.1 £15.22

$32.17 £24.35

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.93 £1.46

$1.86 £1.41

$2.13 £1.61

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

$38.7K £29.3K

$38.3K £29K

$38.7K £29.3K

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

$41.1K £31.1K

$41.4K £31.3K

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

$293 £222

$183 £139

$529 £400

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

$17.05 £12.91

$13.5 £10.22

$40.55 £30.7

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$43.68 £33.07

$34.41 £26.05

$62 £46.9

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$45.89 £34.74

$27.19 £20.58

$61.2 £46.32

Cinema Ticket

$13.73 £10.39

$9.61 £7.27

$20.58 £15.58

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

$1,571 £1,189

$1,206 £913

$2,145 £1,623

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.3K £13.9K

$15.3K £11.6K

$24.4K £18.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$83.5 £63.2

$40.63 £30.76

$135 £103

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$44.33 £33.56

$27.71 £20.97

$69.3 £52.4

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$91.3 £69.1

$53.7 £40.63

$134 £102

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$97.7 £74

$60.6 £45.9

$162 £122

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,222 £925

$951 £720

$1,222 £925

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,006 £761

$750 £568

$1,057 £800

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,059 £1,558

$1,599 £1,210

$2,196 £1,662

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,681 £1,273

$1,278 £967

$1,883 £1,426

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,192 £3,930

$2,300 £1,741

$5,192 £3,930

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$6,015 £4,553

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$2,895 £2,192

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.63

4.5

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

Last update: December 2, 2025

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Cost of Living in Ely, Cambridgeshire - Frequently Asked Questions

Compared with larger UK cities, Ely feels compact and walkable, with a friendlier pace and plenty of green spaces. Cost of Living in Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom is generally favorable for those prioritizing a quieter pace, proximity to nature, and easy access to Cambridge without the city-center premiums. You’ll find budget-friendly options in everyday groceries, casual eateries, and housing in town outskirts, while central riverside flats can be more sought-after and pricier. Practical tips: explore short- to mid-term rentals, check commuter-friendly neighborhoods, and use local markets for seasonal produce. Tip: map a few calm neighborhoods before committing to a lease.

Daily life in Ely blends small-town charm with practical convenience. The Ely living cost tends to be balanced by smaller rent and friendly local services, especially outside the city center. Housing search tends to hinge on town-center flats near Market Street or quieter streets a short walk from the cathedral and river. For groceries, local grocers, weekly markets, and budget-friendly chains keep options varied. Transport leans on a reliable bus network and occasional train links to Cambridge or Peterborough, with cycling as a healthy, affordable choice. Co-working spaces outside traditional offices are available in town, and cafés double as work-friendly spots at certain hours. Tip: test a few routes.

Quality of life in Ely shines for those who value safety, community and easy access to nature. A practical budgeting framework helps you stretch resources: track essentials first, set aside a buffer for seasonal shifts, and layer on occasional treats. Neighborhood fit matters – historic center offers compact everything within walking distance, while the suburbs bring quieter mornings and more space. Seasonality can influence crowds at markets and parking availability, so plan errands on slower days. Transit, cycling, and a compact town layout keep daily life efficient, and local clubs or shared workspaces help you build routines and connections. Tip: test a few weekly routines to see what sticks.