Cost of Living in Retford - Updated Prices & Insights

Monthly Cost of Living

A single person spends around $1,159 per month with rent, or $742 for everyday expenses alone.

A couple spends around $2,360 per month with rent, or $1,267 for everyday expenses alone.

A family of three spends around $3,560 per month with rent, or $1,791 without housing.

Overall, Retford is 10–21% below the global median across household types. Within Europe, costs are well below average (38% lower) – one of the most affordable options in the region.

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🍽 Eating Out
Cost
Range
Meal at Budget Restaurant
$15.17 £11.22
$15.17 £11.22
$48.26 £35.68
Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range
$66.7 £49.33
$60.1 £44.40
$160 £118
Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)
$7.35 £5.44
$7.35 £5.44
$10.70 £7.91
Cappuccino
$4.11 £3.04
$4.11 £3.04
$5.57 £4.12
Coke/Pepsi/Fanta/Sprite (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.82 £1.35
$1.58 £1.17
$3.43 £2.54
Water (0.33 liter bottle)
$1.84 £1.36
$1.59 £1.18
$2.76 £2.04
Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)
$4.38 £3.24
$4.38 £3.24
$9.29 £6.87
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$4.32 £3.20
$4.32 £3.20
$8.10 £5.99
🛒 Groceries & Markets
Cost
Range
Milk (1 liter)
$1.84 £1.36
$1.67 £1.23
$2.02 £1.49
White Bread (500g)
$1.92 £1.42
$1.92 £1.42
$1.92 £1.42
Rice (white) (1kg)
$1.40 £1.03
$0.72 £0.53
$2.79 £2.06
Eggs
$4.86 £3.59
$3.68 £2.72
$6.05 £4.47
Local Cheese (1kg)
$11.40 £8.43
$6.70 £4.96
$19.24 £14.22
Chicken Fillets (1kg)
$4.19 £3.10
$4.19 £3.10
$12.57 £9.29
Beef Round Steak (1kg)
$12.76 £9.43
$12.09 £8.94
$13.43 £9.92
Apples (1kg)
$1.38 £1.02
$1.38 £1.02
$2.47 £1.83
Banana (1kg)
$1.37 £1.01
$0.96 £0.71
$2.73 £2.02
Oranges (1kg)
$1.35 £1.00
$1.35 £1.00
$2.01 £1.49
Tomato (1kg)
$1.73 £1.28
$1.73 £1.28
$1.73 £1.28
Potato (1kg)
$1.46 £1.08
$1.33 £0.98
$2.65 £1.96
Onion (1kg)
$1.56 £1.15
$1.19 £0.88
$2.64 £1.95
Lettuce (1 head)
$0.42 £0.31
$0.42 £0.31
$0.42 £0.31
Water (1.5 liter bottle)
$1.60 £1.19
$1.60 £1.19
$1.60 £1.19
Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)
$23.60 £17.45
$23.60 £17.45
$25.26 £18.67
Wine (Bottle)
$7.96 £5.89
$6.64 £4.91
$13.27 £9.81
Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)
$1.72 £1.27
$1.72 £1.27
$1.72 £1.27
Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)
$2.09 £1.54
$2.09 £1.54
$2.09 £1.54
🚌 Getting Around
Cost
Range
One-way Ticket (Public Transport)
$2.76 £2.04
-
Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)
$13.64 £10.09
$13.64 £10.09
$13.64 £10.09
Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)
$3.99 £2.95
$3.99 £2.95
$3.99 £2.95
Gasoline (1 liter)
$2.07 £1.53
$1.88 £1.39
$2.19 £1.62
Midsize Hatchback 1.4l (Volkswagen Golf, Toyota Prius, Honda Civic, etc)
$40.4K £29.9K
$38.4K £28.4K
$42.5K £31.4K
Compact Sedan 1.6l (Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Kia K4, Hyundai Elantra, etc)
$44.4K £32.9K
$41.2K £30.4K
$44.4K £32.9K
🧾 Monthly Utilities & Internet
Cost
Range
Utilities for 2 People in 2-bedroom Apartment (Heating, Electricity, Gas, Water, Garbage) (85m2)
$353 £261
$240 £177
$411 £304
SIM Card Monthly Plan (Calls and 10GB+ Data)
$28.89 £21.36
$20.40 £15.08
$40.79 £30.15
Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)
$47.34 £35.00
$33.82 £25.00
$67.6 £50.0
🎉 Sport & Entertainment
Cost
Range
Cinema Ticket
$16.50 £12.20
$16.50 £12.20
$16.50 £12.20
🧸 Childcare & Education
Cost
Range
Preschool or Kindergarten, Full Day, Private, 1 Child (Monthly)
$1,986 £1,468
$1,917 £1,417
$2,054 £1,519
International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)
$24.6K £18.2K
$24.6K £18.2K
$24.6K £18.2K
👕👟 Clothing & Footwear
Cost
Range
Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)
$87.5 £64.7
$87.5 £64.7
$87.5 £64.7
Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)
$61.4 £45.42
$54.6 £40.37
$68.3 £50.5
Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)
$112 £83.0
$74.8 £55.3
$150 £111
Men's Leather Business Shoes
$160 £118
$80.0 £59.2
$240 £177
🏠 Accommodation & Living
Cost
Range
3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)
$1,146 £847
-
3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)
$1,100 £813
-
Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)
$2,197 £1,624
-
Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)
$2,039 £1,507
-
💵 Salaries & Financials
Cost
Range
Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)
$1,746 £1,291
-
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: August 31, 2026

Cost Breakdown

The average net salary is $1,746 – comfortably above monthly costs of $1,159. Most workers can save and live well. A comfortable lifestyle typically starts at $1,739.

Groceries cost around $242 per month for one person. A mid-range dinner for two is priced at $67.0 – broadly in line with the European average.

Cost Highlights

Chicken fillets is cheaper than 98% of cities in Europe

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

Retford Median Internet Speeds (Updated April 2026)

Mobile

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Mbps
Upload
Mbps
Latency
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Fixed Broadband

Download
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Latency
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The chart highlights the Precision Threshold for mobile and fixed broadband internet speeds, updated quarterly.
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 Retford one of the cheaper cities to live in?
Retford is affordable because both rent and daily expenses are genuinely low. Total monthly costs with housing come to just $1,159, making it firmly budget-friendly for residents and long-term visitors alike.
Is Retford a cheap city to live in for foreigners?
By most standards, Retford is a budget-friendly place to live. Total monthly costs with rent usually land around $1,159, and both housing and daily expenses fall below global averages. It's a solid pick for remote workers, long-term travelers, or anyone watching their spending.
What income do you need to cover all expenses in Retford?
You'll want at least $1,739 per month after taxes to live comfortably in Retford. That covers a decent apartment, groceries, utilities, transport, and enough left over for dining out occasionally. Families or people wanting a central location should budget higher.
What is a typical monthly food budget in Retford?
Groceries in Retford are cheap – a single person spends about $242 per month. Local markets and budget supermarkets push costs even lower. Food is one of the city's strongest affordability points.
What is a typical monthly grocery bill in Retford?
Food in Retford is genuinely cheap. A single person's grocery bill runs about $242 per month, and local markets and street vendors push costs even lower. Cooking at home is easy and affordable, and eating out at local spots won't break the bank either.
Does $1,200 cover living expenses in Retford?
$1,200 a month in Retford? Very doable. Average costs with rent come to just $1,159, which leaves real room to save, eat out, and enjoy the city without watching every dollar.
What makes Retford attractive for retirement?
Retford makes a good retirement base. About $1,739 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 budget-friendly for long-term stays?
Retford is affordable by most measures, which is why it appeals to long-term travelers, remote workers, and budget-conscious residents. At $1,159 per month with rent, it sits well below the global average for cities of similar size.

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