Cost of Living in Portsmouth - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

Living costs for one person come to about $2,874 monthly including rent, or $1,032 excluding housing.

Estimated monthly costs for a couple: $3,882 with rent, or $1,792 without housing.

Monthly costs for a family of three come to about $4,890 including rent, or $2,553 for daily expenses alone.

Portsmouth sits 67–109% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are 55% above average – among the most expensive in the region.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$20.14 £14.91

$13.62 £10.08

$34.05 £25.20

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$67.4 £49.84

$45.80 £33.89

$216 £160

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$10.64 £7.87

$9.32 £6.90

$12.36 £9.15

Cappuccino

$4.88 £3.61

$4.03 £2.98

$6.71 £4.96

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

$2.81 £2.08

$2.06 £1.53

$6.20 £4.59

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.32 £1.72

$1.37 £1.02

$2.73 £2.02

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$6.47 £4.78

$4.81 £3.56

$8.25 £6.11

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$5.98 £4.42

$4.64 £3.44

$9.30 £6.88

Milk (1 liter)

$1.41 £1.04

$0.75 £0.55

$2.13 £1.58

White Bread (500g)

$1.63 £1.20

$1.21 £0.90

$2.28 £1.69

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.65 £2.70

$1.65 £1.22

$5.28 £3.90

Eggs

$3.49 £2.58

$2.66 £1.96

$7.20 £5.33

Local Cheese (1kg)

$13.95 £10.32

$4.13 £3.05

$24.73 £18.30

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$8.56 £6.34

$5.24 £3.87

$12.40 £9.18

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$13.60 £10.07

$5.78 £4.28

$22.43 £16.60

Apples (1kg)

$4.02 £2.98

$0.75 £0.56

$8.87 £6.57

Banana (1kg)

$1.89 £1.40

$1.21 £0.89

$3.36 £2.49

Oranges (1kg)

$2.89 £2.14

$1.32 £0.98

$3.95 £2.92

Tomato (1kg)

$3.42 £2.53

$2.64 £1.96

$9.18 £6.80

Potato (1kg)

$1.63 £1.20

$0.80 £0.59

$2.40 £1.78

Onion (1kg)

$1.70 £1.26

$1.04 £0.77

$2.77 £2.05

Lettuce (1 head)

$1.21 £0.90

$0.69 £0.51

$1.71 £1.26

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$1.49 £1.10

$0.46 £0.34

$3.99 £2.95

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$23.33 £17.26

$21.07 £15.59

$23.98 £17.74

Wine (Bottle)

$11.57 £8.56

$10.20 £7.55

$29.94 £22.16

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$3.18 £2.35

$2.29 £1.69

$3.84 £2.84

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.22 £1.65

$1.00 £0.74

$2.91 £2.15

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$3.96 £2.93

$2.64 £1.95

$3.96 £2.93

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$90.4 £66.9

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$5.55 £4.11

$5.83 £4.31

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.56 £1.16

$5.55 £4.11

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$20.73 £15.34

Gasoline (1 liter)

$2.07 £1.53

$1.85 £1.37

$2.16 £1.60

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

$39.0K £28.8K

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

$41.5K £30.7K

$41.3K £30.6K

$41.5K £30.7K

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

$668 £494

$337 £249

$943 £697

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

$15.19 £11.24

$13.50 £9.99

$20.25 £14.98

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$44.39 £32.85

$39.82 £29.47

$48.05 £35.55

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$38.70 £28.64

$33.36 £24.69

$46.70 £34.56

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$17.60 £13.02

$13.53 £10.01

$17.60 £13.02

Cinema Ticket

$10.99 £8.13

$10.98 £8.13

$14.43 £10.68

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

$1,306 £966

$1,199 £887

$1,413 £1,045

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$20.4K £15.1K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$92.5 £68.5

$33.65 £24.90

$148 £110

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$41.15 £30.45

$27.44 £20.30

$48.00 £35.52

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$103 £75.9

$82.0 £60.7

$130 £96.1

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$126 £93.3

$104 £76.7

$138 £102

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,480 £1,095

$1,331 £985

$1,730 £1,280

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,150 £851

$1,126 £833

$1,381 £1,022

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,155 £1,595

$2,040 £1,509

$2,713 £2,007

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,718 £1,271

$1,648 £1,219

$1,942 £1,437

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$4,631 £3,427

$4,218 £3,121

$5,534 £4,095

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$3,889 £2,878

$3,574 £2,645

$4,067 £3,009

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,539 £2,619

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.16

5.11

5.25

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

Last update: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

Expect to pay about $1,480 for a central one-bedroom, or $1,150 outside the center. At 42% of the average salary ($3,539), housing is the biggest financial pressure.

Average take-home pay sits at $3,539, while typical expenses reach $2,874. This leaves some room for savings, though a comfortable buffer starts closer to $4,310.

Expect to spend about $319 monthly on groceries. Dining out at a mid-range restaurant costs roughly $67.0 for two – broadly in line with the European average.

Public transport is priced at around $90.4 per month – above the European average of $50.0.

Cost Highlights

Overall monthly cost (including rent) is more expensive than 93% of cities in Europe

1-bedroom apartment, city center is more expensive than 90% of cities in Europe

Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth - Frequently Asked Questions

In general, Cost of Living in Portsmouth, United Kingdom sits mid-range among UK cities, offering solid value for those who value compact streets, easy commutes, and access to the coast. You'll find a mix of housing options – from convenient city-center stays to quieter residential pockets – without the price spikes you see in bigger metros. Seasonal tourism can nudge prices on short stays, while long-term rents tend to offer more predictability. Practical shopping, dining, and leisure options help balance budget and lifestyle. Tip: map a rough monthly plan that separates essential costs from discretionary treats to stay flexible.

Daily life in Portsmouth blends harbor vibes with practical city living. For housing, expect a mix of rentals near Southsea, the Old Town, and quieter pockets a short bus ride away. The Portsmouth living cost is generally friendly for travelers and newcomers, with more affordable options a bit away from the harbor. Food options range from traditional pubs and markets to modern cafes and casual eateries, letting you balance splurges with affordable staples. Transport is straightforward – reliable bus routes, rail links to London, and occasional ferries; cycling is workable along flat, well-connected streets. Plan weekly shopping to minimize trips, and lean on coworking spaces for flexible work. Tip: choose a neighborhood that aligns with your daily errands and social scene.

A practical budgeting approach starts with separating fixed needs from flexible lifestyle costs. Focus on housing, utilities, and transport first, then allocate for groceries, meals out, and social activities. In Portsmouth you'll notice that shoulder seasons and harbor-area demand influence availability more than year-round price swings, so consider staying in or near a neighborhood that suits your work and social life across seasons. Neighborhood fit matters: Old Portsmouth for compact historic streets, Southsea for a lively mix of cafes and outdoor space, and quieter suburbs offer easier commutes. Save by cooking at home, buying seasonal produce, and taking advantage of public transit passes where available. Tip: set a monthly review to adjust plans as weather and travel patterns change.

Budget at least $2,874 per month to live in Portsmouth once rent is factored in. The high price tag reflects quality infrastructure and a strong economy, but it does mean you need a decent income to live comfortably here.

With 42% of the average paycheck going to rent, Portsmouth is on the expensive side for housing. Many locals cope by sharing apartments, moving to outer neighborhoods, or downsizing to keep things manageable.

Earning $4,310 monthly in Portsmouth 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 Portsmouth range from $1,150 to $1,480, 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 Portsmouth runs about $90.4, with good coverage across residential and business areas. It's entirely feasible to live car-free here for daily commuting and errands.

A single person's grocery bill in Portsmouth runs about $319 monthly, which is above average. Everything from dairy and meat to fresh produce costs more here, reflecting the city's overall high price level.

At $2,874 in typical monthly expenses, a $3,000 budget barely covers Portsmouth. You'd need a shared flat in an outer area, home-cooked meals, and serious discipline with discretionary spending to make it work.

Remote workers pick Portsmouth for good reason: fast internet, vibrant nightlife, clean air, all at about $2,874 per month including rent. It fits a wide range of remote salaries without compromising on comfort or connectivity.