Last update: Oct 2026 United Kingdom 32.1K

Cost of Living in Motherwell

For one person, living costs in Motherwell are estimated at $2,285 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than half of the total. Other living expenses average about $34 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Motherwell

Real prices from locals and on-the-ground checks – rent, groceries, transit and the daily extras. Here's what a month in Motherwell actually costs, broken down by who's living it.

Living costs for one person come to about $2,285 monthly including rent, or $1,025 excluding housing.

$2,285 /mo

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,349 with rent, or $1,777 without housing.

$3,349 /mo

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,414 including rent, or $2,529 for daily expenses alone.

$4,414 /mo

Motherwell sits 56–69% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are 30% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$20.07 £15.06
$14.72 £11.04
$42.82 £32.12
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$74.0 £55.5
$60.6 £45.43
$161 £121
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$10.64 £7.98
$9.31 £6.98
$13.81 £10.36
Cappuccino
$4.69 £3.52
$3.22 £2.42
$5.40 £4.05
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.15 £1.61
$1.31 £0.98
$4.58 £3.44
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.76 £1.32
$1.21 £0.91
$4.03 £3.02
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$5.41 £4.06
$4.06 £3.05
$8.12 £6.09
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$6.67 £5.00
$5.34 £4.00
$9.34 £7.01
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.47 £1.10
$1.21 £0.91
$1.74 £1.31
White Bread (500g)
$1.63 £1.22
$1.08 £0.81
$2.69 £2.02
Rice (white) (1kg)
$2.19 £1.64
$1.30 £0.97
$2.59 £1.95
Eggs
$3.80 £2.85
$2.65 £1.99
$4.78 £3.59
Local Cheese (1kg)
$9.14 £6.86
$7.30 £5.48
$12.58 £9.44
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.13 £6.85
$6.71 £5.04
$9.50 £7.13
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$16.65 £12.49
$9.17 £6.88
$16.75 £12.57
Apples (1kg)
$2.81 £2.11
$1.93 £1.45
$3.87 £2.90
Banana (1kg)
$1.52 £1.14
$1.33 £1.00
$3.34 £2.50
Oranges (1kg)
$2.88 £2.16
$1.35 £1.01
$2.96 £2.22
Tomato (1kg)
$3.16 £2.37
$1.81 £1.36
$3.89 £2.92
Potato (1kg)
$1.97 £1.48
$1.06 £0.80
$2.43 £1.82
Onion (1kg)
$1.42 £1.07
$1.09 £0.81
$1.64 £1.23
Lettuce (1 head)
$1.19 £0.90
$1.01 £0.76
$1.35 £1.01
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.56 £1.17
$1.29 £0.97
$2.40 £1.80
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$20.95 £15.71
$20.80 £15.61
$23.83 £17.88
Wine (Bottle)
$10.45 £7.84
$8.49 £6.37
$11.76 £8.82
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$3.13 £2.35
$2.41 £1.81
$3.35 £2.51
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$3.41 £2.56
$2.42 £1.82
$4.04 £3.03
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.49 £2.62
$2.68 £2.01
$4.02 £3.02
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$97.5 £73.1
$67.1 £50.4
$107 £80.6
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$5.98 £4.49
$5.98 £4.49
$6.80 £5.10
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$1.14 £0.86
$1.14 £0.86
$1.29 £0.97
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$28.19 £21.15
$28.19 £21.15
$61.7 £46.32
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.09 £1.57
$1.77 £1.33
$2.27 £1.70
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$38.5K £28.9K
$38.5K £28.9K
$38.5K £28.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$39.9K £30.0K
$39.8K £29.9K
$40.0K £30.0K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$241 £181
$130 £97.6
$632 £474
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$19.77 £14.83
$12.96 £9.72
$32.40 £24.31
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$41.45 £31.10
$33.77 £25.34
$52.0 £38.98
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$46.34 £34.77
$26.86 £20.15
$60.5 £45.35
Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)
$6.65 £4.99
-
Cinema Ticket
$12.06 £9.05
$10.72 £8.04
$16.08 £12.06
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$910 £683
$592 £444
$1,842 £1,382
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$17.6K £13.2K
$14.5K £10.9K
$27.7K £20.8K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$117 £87.7
$78.0 £58.5
$117 £87.7
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$48.37 £36.29
$33.49 £25.13
$65.7 £49.26
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$104 £77.7
$65.2 £48.89
$130 £97.8
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$90.2 £67.6
$59.0 £44.29
$117 £87.6
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,218 £914
$1,056 £792
$1,451 £1,089
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,019 £765
$866 £650
$1,199 £900
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,124 £1,593
$1,742 £1,307
$2,412 £1,809
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,643 £1,233
$1,380 £1,036
$1,972 £1,480
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$5,030 £3,774
$2,738 £2,054
$5,030 £3,774
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,920 £2,941
$2,014 £1,511
$3,920 £2,941
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5
4.05
5.11

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

Last update: October 10, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Motherwell $2,285
Accommodation & Living
$1K
Eating Out
$305
Groceries & Markets
$304
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$302
Clothing & Footwear
$162
Getting Around
$123
Sport & Entertainment
$70

Cost Breakdown

Expect to spend about $304 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $74.0 for two – broadly in line with the European average.

Public transport is priced at around $97.5 per month – above the European average of $49.00.

Cost Highlights

Public transport monthly pass is more expensive than 90% of cities in Europe

Motherwell is more expensive than 75% of cities worldwide and 81% within Europe.

Good to know
🕒 Local time
16:33 4:33 PM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
32,120
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to GBP – British Pound Converter

British Pound exchange rates as of October 19, 2026: 1 USD = 0.75 GBP (1 GBP = 1.33 USD). 1 EUR = 0.843 GBP (1 GBP = 1.19 EUR).

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Motherwell Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Fixed Broadband

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Motherwell - Frequently Asked Questions
How does Motherwell compare in overall affordability, and who tends to get good value there?
Compared with larger cities, Motherwell offers a friendlier cost profile for housing, everyday goods, and services while keeping a solid set of commute options. You’ll often find traditional terraces, semis, and newer flats with reasonable rents and more space than city centers. Local groceries, cafes, and casual dining maintain sensible prices, and weekly markets add value for fresh produce. The Cost of Living in Motherwell, United Kingdom reflects a pace that favors long-term stays, families, and remote workers who value a quieter base with good rail links. Tip: Map your commute to work or study and prioritize energy efficiency when choosing a home.
What does daily life look like for housing searches, groceries, and getting around in Motherwell?
In Motherwell, you’ll find a mix of traditional homes near the town center and quiet suburban streets with easy rail access to Glasgow. In housing searches, prioritize proximity to the station or bus routes to keep options open and resale or rental value reasonable. For groceries and dining, you’ll have supermarkets, local butchers, and farmers markets offering good value and seasonal choices. Transport is straightforward: frequent trains and a good bus network keep you connected without a car. Co-working can be found in libraries or nearby hubs if needed. For a case of Motherwell, United Kingdom living cost, plan errands in blocks. Tip: group tasks by neighborhood to save time and transit.
What aspects of quality of life matter most, and how can you budget and adapt to seasons and neighborhoods in Motherwell?
Quality of life in Motherwell blends green spaces, a lively town center, and straightforward access to bigger cities. A simple budgeting framework helps: separate needs (rent, utilities, council tax) from wants (eating out, entertainment) and set monthly caps. In winter, heating and electricity can push costs; energy-efficient appliances and sensible insulation make a real difference. Neighborhood fit ranges from bustling town center to peaceful residential pockets with parks. Seasonal variation affects shopping and transit usage, so adjust groceries and travel plans accordingly. Tip: use a simple envelope or digital budget to track spending and keep flexibility for travel or weekend trips.
Does Motherwell offer good value for money?
At around $2,285 monthly all-in, Motherwell offers decent value. It's not the cheapest and not the priciest – a good fit for people who want city convenience without capital-level costs.
How much does it cost to live in Motherwell in 2026?
As of 2026, monthly living costs in Motherwell come to around $2,285 including rent, or roughly $1,025 excluding it. Numbers shift a bit by season and neighborhood, but this range works well as a planning baseline.
How much should you earn to live well in Motherwell?
Earning $3,428 monthly in Motherwell 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.
How much should I budget for housing in Motherwell?
Where you live in Motherwell makes all the difference. Central one-bedrooms cost about $1,218; commute-friendly outer districts come in around $1,019. Overall, the market runs from $1,019 to $1,218 depending on size, location, and apartment condition.
What does commuting cost in Motherwell?
A monthly transit pass in Motherwell goes for roughly $97.5, 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.
What are kindergarten prices in Motherwell?
Childcare averages $910 monthly at a private kindergarten in Motherwell. For many families, this single cost rivals rent, so it's essential to factor in before making a move.
Is $2,500 a month enough for Motherwell?
Living on $2,500 in Motherwell means careful planning, since monthly costs average $2,285. It works with a cheap apartment and disciplined spending, but expect trade-offs on where you live, how often you eat out, and entertainment.
What makes Motherwell attractive for remote workers?
Remote workers pick Motherwell for good reason: fast internet, clean air, wellness scene, all at about $2,285 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.

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