Cost of Living in Grays - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $974 (excluding rent), and $2,251 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,227 (excluding rent), and $4,324 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.2 £15.29

$12.79 £9.68

$51.2 £38.73

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$54.3 £41.1

$122 £92.5

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$9.53 £7.22

$8.17 £6.18

$10.89 £8.25

Cappuccino

$4.73 £3.58

$2.07 £1.57

$6.07 £4.59

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

$2.11 £1.6

$1.41 £1.07

$4.69 £3.55

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$1.58 £1.2

$1.07 £0.81

$3.93 £2.98

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$5.37 £4.06

$4.71 £3.56

$9.4 £7.12

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.98 £5.28

$6.91 £5.23

$8.98 £6.8

Milk (1 liter)

$1.66 £1.26

$1.4 £1.06

$2.51 £1.9

White Bread (500g)

$1.59 £1.21

$1.39 £1.05

$5.27 £3.99

Rice (white) (1kg)

$1.61 £1.22

$1.35 £1.02

$3.37 £2.55

Eggs

$5.11 £3.87

$3.9 £2.95

$7.39 £5.6

Local Cheese (1kg)

$12.16 £9.21

$5.51 £4.17

$20.67 £15.65

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.15 £6.93

$6.58 £4.98

$12.35 £9.35

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$18.02 £13.64

$8.13 £6.15

$33.86 £25.63

Apples (1kg)

$3.15 £2.39

$1.19 £0.9

$5.18 £3.92

Banana (1kg)

$2 £1.51

$1.19 £0.9

$2.79 £2.11

Oranges (1kg)

$3.31 £2.51

$1.8 £1.36

$8.3 £6.28

Tomato (1kg)

$3.38 £2.56

$1.21 £0.92

$5.41 £4.09

Potato (1kg)

$2.19 £1.65

$0.47 £0.35

$3.32 £2.51

Onion (1kg)

$2.01 £1.52

$1.03 £0.78

$2.74 £2.07

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.18 £0.89

$0.7 £0.53

$1.4 £1.06

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$0.9 £0.68

$0.28 £0.21

$2.09 £1.58

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$17.35 £13.13

$25.35 £19.19

Wine (Bottle)

$11.11 £8.41

$10.69 £8.09

$20.04 £15.17

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$1.38 £1.05

$4.15 £3.14

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.6 £1.97

$2.02 £1.53

$2.96 £2.24

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.3 £2.5

$2.67 £2.02

$4 £3.03

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$87.6 £66.3

$58.4 £44.22

$101 £76.3

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.66 £3.52

$4.14 £3.13

$5.51 £4.17

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$2.22 £1.68

$2.04 £1.54

$2.41 £1.82

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$40.25 £30.47

$26.83 £20.31

$40.25 £30.47

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.93 £1.46

$1.83 £1.39

$2.15 £1.63

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

$38.5K £29.2K

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

$40.8K £30.9K

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

$286 £216

$162 £123

$540 £409

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

$18.69 £14.15

$10.91 £8.26

$40.91 £30.97

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$39.65 £30.01

$29.57 £22.38

$59.1 £44.76

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$46.68 £35.34

$27.66 £20.94

$62.2 £47.12

Cinema Ticket

$9.68 £7.33

$20.74 £15.7

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

$1,796 £1,360

$1,056 £799

$2,708 £2,050

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.9K £14.3K

$10.8K £8,158

$26.9K £20.4K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$93 £70.4

$40.7 £30.81

$149 £113

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.86 £31.69

$16.21 £12.27

$54 £40.91

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$108 £81.5

$66.6 £50.4

$133 £101

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$79 £59.8

$48.77 £36.92

$163 £124

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,223 £926

$951 £720

$1,223 £926

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,004 £760

$749 £567

$1,055 £798

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,072 £1,569

$1,609 £1,218

$2,210 £1,673

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,677 £1,270

$1,275 £965

$1,879 £1,422

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,764 £3,607

$2,111 £1,598

$4,764 £3,607

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.63

5.2

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 Grays - Frequently Asked Questions

Grays offers a practical mix of affordable housing options and reasonable everyday costs, especially for those who want easy access to London without paying central prices. Street-level living here includes a compact town center, local shops, and a river-side vibe that keeps leisure budget-friendly. Transportation connections to London and other parts of Essex help keep travel costs predictable, while amenities in town support daily life close to home. When you weigh the Cost of Living in Grays, United Kingdom, you will see a balance that often suits travelers, new arrivals, and remote workers who value value over prestige. Tip: plan a short first-week stay to test routines before committing.

Daily life in Grays tends to be straightforward. Housing options range from town-center flats to quieter outskirts, with leases and rents that leave room for flexibility. Food shopping is convenient through a mix of supermarkets and local markets, with nearby towns offering additional choice. Public transport – local buses and rail links toward Basildon or London – supports easy commuting, while cycling and walking feel practical for short trips. The Grays, United Kingdom living cost is generally moderate, especially for daily needs, but plan for seasonal shifts in heating and energy use. Tip: map a weekly shopping route to save time and fuel.

Quality of life in Grays centers on balance and access. If you are new, start with a neighborhood mix: riverside pockets, town-center convenience, and quieter residential streets, then tailor your base to work or social life. For budgeting, adopt a simple framework – allocate flexible, fixed, and discretionary categories – and track expenses against a monthly rhythm; you will notice energy bills in winter and transport costs can shift with rail fares or fuel. Seasonal bargains appear in local markets and street events, while nearby parks and river walks offer free recreation. Tip: join a local community group to learn about hidden deals and swap tips.