Last update: Oct 2026 United Kingdom 22K

Cost of Living in Retford

For one person, living costs in Retford are estimated at $2,354 a month, including rent and utilities, which take more than half of the total. Other living expenses average about $31 a day.

Monthly Cost of Living

How much you'll spend in Retford

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

A single person spends around $2,354 per month with rent, or $954 for everyday expenses alone.

$2,354 /mo

A couple spends around $3,335 per month with rent, or $1,650 for everyday expenses alone.

$3,335 /mo

A family of three spends around $4,315 per month with rent, or $2,346 without housing.

$4,315 /mo

Overall, Retford is 53–74% above the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are 34% above average – pricier than most cities in the region.

Currency
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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$14.30 £10.73
$14.30 £10.73
$45.51 £34.14
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$67.2 £50.4
$60.5 £45.36
$161 £121
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.45 £5.59
$7.45 £5.59
$10.83 £8.12
Cappuccino
$3.91 £2.94
$3.91 £2.94
$5.30 £3.98
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.71 £1.28
$1.48 £1.11
$3.22 £2.41
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.79 £1.35
$1.56 £1.17
$2.71 £2.03
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.27 £3.20
$4.27 £3.20
$9.06 £6.80
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.18 £3.13
$4.18 £3.13
$7.83 £5.88
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.72 £1.29
$1.56 £1.17
$1.88 £1.41
White Bread (500g)
$1.88 £1.41
$1.88 £1.41
$1.88 £1.41
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.69 £1.27
$0.70 £0.53
$2.68 £2.01
Eggs
$4.84 £3.63
$3.66 £2.74
$6.02 £4.52
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.11 £8.33
$6.54 £4.90
$18.74 £14.06
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$9.74 £7.31
$8.53 £6.40
$11.64 £8.73
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.62 £9.47
$11.96 £8.97
$13.29 £9.97
Apples (1kg)
$2.06 £1.55
$1.75 £1.31
$2.42 £1.82
Banana (1kg)
$1.79 £1.34
$0.93 £0.70
$2.68 £2.01
Oranges (1kg)
$1.73 £1.30
$1.55 £1.16
$1.92 £1.44
Tomato (1kg)
$1.68 £1.26
$1.68 £1.26
$1.68 £1.26
Potato (1kg)
$1.48 £1.11
$1.34 £1.01
$1.62 £1.21
Onion (1kg)
$1.59 £1.19
$1.21 £0.91
$2.01 £1.51
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.39 £0.29
$0.39 £0.29
$0.39 £0.29
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.47 £1.11
$1.47 £1.11
$1.47 £1.11
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$23.76 £17.83
$23.76 £17.83
$25.44 £19.08
Wine (Bottle)
$7.77 £5.83
$6.47 £4.86
$9.06 £6.80
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.68 £1.26
$1.68 £1.26
$1.68 £1.26
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.01 £1.51
$2.01 £1.51
$2.01 £1.51
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$3.50 £2.62
$2.69 £2.02
$4.04 £3.03
Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)
$83.6 £62.7
$57.2 £42.94
$91.6 £68.7
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$4.98 £3.73
$4.57 £3.43
$6.73 £5.05
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.99 £2.99
$3.99 £2.99
$3.99 £2.99
Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)
$22.36 £16.77
$21.18 £15.89
$27.06 £20.30
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.16 £1.62
$1.83 £1.37
$2.35 £1.77
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.5K £30.4K
$38.4K £28.8K
$42.5K £31.9K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$43.2K £32.4K
$40.0K £30.0K
$43.2K £32.4K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$346 £259
$235 £176
$403 £302
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$27.83 £20.88
$19.65 £14.74
$39.29 £29.47
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$46.12 £34.60
$32.95 £24.72
$65.9 £49.43
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Gym Membership (Monthly)
$47.92 £35.95
$27.78 £20.84
$62.5 £46.89
Cinema Ticket
$11.21 £8.41
$6.60 £4.95
$15.83 £11.87
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,924 £1,443
$1,858 £1,394
$1,990 £1,493
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.1K £18.1K
$24.1K £18.1K
$24.1K £18.1K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$86.1 £64.6
$86.1 £64.6
$86.1 £64.6
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$59.8 £44.82
$53.1 £39.84
$66.4 £49.80
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$109 £81.6
$72.5 £54.4
$145 £109
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$160 £120
$80.1 £60.1
$240 £180
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,158 £869
$1,002 £751
$1,377 £1,033
1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,055 £791
$895 £672
$1,240 £930
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$2,107 £1,581
$1,726 £1,295
$2,390 £1,793
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,624 £1,218
$1,364 £1,023
$1,948 £1,462
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$4,952 £3,715
$2,695 £2,022
$4,952 £3,715
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$3,820 £2,866
$1,962 £1,472
$3,820 £2,866
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,750 £1,313
-
20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)
5.3
4.8
6

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

Last update: October 12, 2026

Monthly budget structure
Share of the monthly basket for one person, rent included.
Retford $2,354
Accommodation & Living
$1.1K
Monthly Utilities & Internet
$420
Groceries & Markets
$273
Eating Out
$227
Clothing & Footwear
$187
Getting Around
$122
Sport & Entertainment
$70

Cost Breakdown

A one-bedroom apartment in the city center costs around $1,158, dropping to $1,055 outside central areas. Housing accounts for roughly 66% of the average salary ($1,750) – well above the 30% international benchmark.

The average net salary is $1,750 – below monthly costs of $2,354. Most locals rely on shared housing or dual incomes. Remote workers earning abroad will find stronger purchasing power.

Groceries cost around $273 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $67.0 – broadly in line with the European average.

A monthly public transport pass costs about $83.6 – above the European average of $49.00.

Cost Highlights

Taxi is more expensive than 96% of cities in Europe

Preschool or kindergarten, full day, private, 1 child is more expensive than 93% of cities in Europe

Good to know
🕒 Local time
09:41 9:41 AM
🌤 Weather
👥 Population
22,023
💱 Currency
Exchange rates and currency converter

USD, EUR to GBP – British Pound Converter

British Pound exchange rates as of October 20, 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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Retford Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

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Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index
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Cost of Living in Retford - Frequently Asked Questions
Is Retford affordable for travelers, expats, and digital nomads, and how does it compare to larger cities?
Retford offers a practical balance of price and pace that travelers, expats, and digital nomads often value. In broad terms, the town is cheaper than major metropolitan hubs for everyday things like groceries, dining out, and short-term stays, while still delivering reliable services and a friendly vibe. You’ll find walkable neighborhoods, a compact center, and easy train links to larger cities when a bigger excursion is needed. Community markets and independent shops add character without the sticker shock of big-city venues. Cost of Living in Retford, United Kingdom signals a favorable baseline for longer visits or flexible work arrangements, especially when you pair steady routines with occasional weekend trips. Tip: Plan longer stays to maximize value and balance work with local downtime.
What would a typical day look like for someone staying in Retford, including housing search, food options, transport, and a place to work?
Housing options range from period cottages and tidy terraces to short-term flats, with neighborhoods near the station or town center offering quick access to trains, cafes, and errands. For food, local markets, bakeries, and family-run shops pair with larger supermarkets, giving you affordable ingredients and plenty of take-away options. Transport is friendly for a nomad: rail links to Nottingham or Lincoln are straightforward, and buses cover town routes; bikes also ride well on quieter streets. For work, you’ll find cafes with reliable wifi, village libraries with study space, and occasional pop-up coworking setups in nearby towns. Retford, United Kingdom living cost helps frame daily choices while you test a routine. Tip: map a weekly routine to minimize back-and-forth trips.
How can you optimize quality of life, budgeting, seasonality, and neighborhood fit for longer stays in Retford?
To maximize quality of life, adopt a simple budgeting framework that separates essentials from discretionary spends and builds in seasonal variability. Summer visitors can influence cafe lines and bookings, while winter may slow some services. Choose a neighborhood that matches your pace: the town center for easy access to amenities, or quieter outskirts for longer stays and home offices. Build a flexible housing plan, favor longer lets or month-to-month options with easy renewal. Seasonal routines like farmers markets, nearby countryside walks, and weekend markets add balance to work life. Tip: use local transit cards, take advantage of library wifi, and pre-plan errands to reclaim downtime.
Is the cost of living in Retford reasonable?
Retford is mid-range – monthly costs with rent reach about $2,354. For most residents, that's a fair trade: urban amenities, services, and job access without major-hub prices.
Is Retford affordable on an average income?
Retford sits squarely in the middle of the price spectrum – not cheap, not expensive. Monthly costs with rent tend to hover around $2,354, which most working professionals can handle without feeling financially squeezed.
How does the average salary in Retford compare to the cost of living?
The average net salary in Retford is about $1,750, while comfortable living starts around $3,531. With total costs hitting $2,354 monthly, saving is possible if you earn above average – but it takes intentional budgeting.
How much does a one-bedroom apartment cost to rent in Retford?
A central one-bedroom apartment in Retford runs about $1,158 per month. Move further out and that drops to around $1,055. Location makes a big difference here – and furnished places or short-term rentals will cost more on top of these figures.
How expensive is preschool in Retford per month?
Private kindergarten in Retford costs about $1,924 per month – a big number for families. Prices vary by curriculum and whether you go local or international. Public options are cheaper where they exist, but waitlists can be long.
How much is a monthly gym pass in Retford?
Expect to pay about $47.92 per month for a gym in Retford – on par with the regional average. That typically gets you weights, cardio machines, and group classes. Boutique studios, yoga centers, and personal trainers charge extra.
Does $3,000 cover living expenses in Retford?
$3,000 is below the $2,354 average in Retford, so it's tight but not impossible. You'll need to keep rent low – sharing an apartment, cooking at home, and sticking to public transport are the main levers.
What makes Retford attractive for retirement?
Retford makes a good retirement base. About $3,531 per month covers housing, healthcare, and everyday needs with enough left for some leisure and travel. It strikes a nice balance between cost and comfort.
Is Retford affordable for the average person?
Retford is neither cheap nor expensive – it sits comfortably in the middle. Monthly costs with rent run about $2,354, a figure most working professionals can handle without major financial stress.

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