Cost of Living in Southampton - Updated Prices & Insights

Solo nomad: Estimated monthly costs are $1,146 (excluding rent), and $2,712 including rent.

Family of 3: Estimated monthly costs are $2,776 (excluding rent), and $4,914 including rent.

Meal at Budget Restaurant

$26.67 £20.19

$16 £12.11

$33.34 £25.23

Three-Course Dinner for Two, Mid-Range

$78.5 £59.4

$68.2 £51.7

$136 £103

Fast Food Meal (McDonalds, etc)

$11.5 £8.71

$9.47 £7.17

$13.53 £10.25

Cappuccino

$4.92 £3.72

$2.66 £2.01

$6.64 £5.03

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

$2.6 £1.97

$2.01 £1.52

$3.68 £2.79

Water (0.33 liter bottle)

$2.36 £1.79

$1.38 £1.04

$4.13 £3.13

Local Beer (0.5 liter draught)

$7.21 £5.46

$4.09 £3.09

$9.52 £7.21

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$6.68 £5.06

$5.34 £4.04

$8.69 £6.58

Milk (1 liter)

$1.51 £1.14

$0.88 £0.67

$2.07 £1.56

White Bread (500g)

$1.37 £1.04

$1 £0.76

$2.67 £2.02

Rice (white) (1kg)

$3.56 £2.69

$1.67 £1.26

$6.67 £5.05

Eggs

$5.37 £4.06

$3.57 £2.7

$7.14 £5.4

Local Cheese (1kg)

$9.57 £7.24

$3.44 £2.6

$14.84 £11.23

Chicken Fillets (1kg)

$9.52 £7.21

$6.8 £5.15

$11 £8.32

Beef Round Steak (1kg)

$14.58 £11.03

$6.78 £5.13

$20.35 £15.4

Apples (1kg)

$2.3 £1.74

$1.33 £1

$3.31 £2.51

Banana (1kg)

$1.56 £1.18

$0.91 £0.69

$2.64 £2

Oranges (1kg)

$2.51 £1.9

$1.94 £1.47

$2.8 £2.12

Tomato (1kg)

$3.03 £2.29

$2.7 £2.04

$3.35 £2.54

Potato (1kg)

$1.78 £1.35

$0.94 £0.71

$2.68 £2.03

Onion (1kg)

$1.22 £0.92

$0.77 £0.58

$2.08 £1.58

Lettuce (1 head)

$0.92 £0.7

$0.55 £0.42

$1.29 £0.98

Water (1.5 liter bottle)

$2.31 £1.75

$1.67 £1.26

$2.78 £2.11

Cigarettes 20 Pack (Marlboro, Camel)

$17.31 £13.1

$16.43 £12.44

$19.05 £14.42

Wine (Bottle)

$10.82 £8.19

$7.81 £5.91

$15.61 £11.82

Local Beer (0.5 liter bottle)

$4.17 £3.16

$1.5 £1.13

$5.46 £4.13

Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle)

$3.37 £2.55

One-way Ticket (Public Transport)

$2.9 £2.2

$2.77 £2.1

$3.46 £2.62

Public Transport Monthly Pass (Regular Price)

$89.1 £67.4

$71.8 £54.4

$110 £83.6

Taxi Start (Normal Tariff)

$4.39 £3.33

$4.12 £3.12

$4.39 £3.33

Taxi (Normal Tariff) (1km)

$1.96 £1.49

$1.34 £1.02

$1.96 £1.49

Taxi 1hour Waiting (Normal Tariff)

$31.99 £24.22

$19.99 £15.13

$31.99 £24.22

Gasoline (1 liter)

$1.88 £1.42

$1.81 £1.37

$1.92 £1.45

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

$38.5K £29.1K

$38.1K £28.8K

$38.5K £29.1K

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

$40.2K £30.5K

$38.7K £29.3K

$40.8K £30.8K

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

$338 £256

$271 £205

$536 £406

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

$19.03 £14.41

$13.85 £10.48

$41.53 £31.44

Internet (50+ Mbps, Unlimited Data)

$53 £40.14

$33.84 £25.62

$81.2 £61.5

Gym Membership (Monthly)

$41.81 £31.65

$29.83 £22.58

$67.8 £51.3

Tennis Court (1 Hour on Weekend)

$18.22 £13.79

$8 £6.05

$33.32 £25.23

Cinema Ticket

$12.16 £9.21

$10.13 £7.67

$18.91 £14.32

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

$1,538 £1,164

$1,230 £931

$2,187 £1,655

International Primary School, 1 Child (Yearly)

$18.4K £13.9K

$16.3K £12.4K

$20.4K £15.5K

Jeans (Levis 501 Or Similar)

$116 £87.9

$54.7 £41.38

$137 £103

Summer Dress (H&M, Zara, etc)

$52 £39.39

$33.35 £25.25

$93.4 £70.7

Sport Shoes (Adidas, Nike)

$115 £87

$93.7 £71

$134 £101

Men's Leather Business Shoes

$144 £109

$93.9 £71.1

$174 £132

1-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$1,387 £1,050

$1,217 £921

$2,028 £1,535

1-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,189 £900

$1,047 £793

$1,360 £1,030

3-bedroom Apartment, City Center (Monthly)

$2,443 £1,849

$2,065 £1,563

$3,441 £2,605

3-bedroom Apartment, Outside City Center (Monthly)

$1,769 £1,339

$1,201 £909

$2,269 £1,718

Buy Apartment in City Center (m2)

$5,848 £4,427

$4,751 £3,597

$6,074 £4,598

Buy Apartment Outside City Center (m2)

$5,515 £4,175

Average Monthly Net Salary (After Tax)

$3,244 £2,456

20-Year Fixed Mortgage Interest Rate (Annual %)

5.62

5.9

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

Last update: December 1, 2025

Digital Nomad Cost of Living Index

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Cost of Living in Southampton - Frequently Asked Questions

Southampton sits mid-range compared with major UK cities, offering a practical balance of accessibility and services without the London price tag. For travelers, expats, and digital nomads who want reliable transport links, a lively but not overwhelming pace, and decent housing options, this city tends to feel value-driven. Cost of Living in Southampton, United Kingdom reflects a mix of affordable dining streets, university-area rents, and practical coworking spaces, plus easy access to both the coast and regional hubs. Tip: Focus your search on areas near transport hubs or the waterfront to maximize convenience and value.

Southampton today blends a compact, walkable core with easy access to the coast. For housing, search in university-adjacent areas like Portswood, or closer to the redeveloped waterfront if you want nightlife and cafes within easy reach; consider longer stays in house shares or short-term lets to keep options flexible. Groceries range from local markets to familiar supermarkets, and you’ll find a mix of casual eateries and seafood spots that suit different budgets. Transport is straightforward: frequent buses, good rail links to London, and bike-friendly streets. Southampton, United Kingdom living cost varies by area, so plan a buffer for seasonal pricing. Tip: trial a neighborhood for a week before committing.

Life quality in Southampton hinges on a balanced mix of city access and coastal leisure. A practical budgeting framework works in tiers: fixed costs (rent, transit passes), flexible spending (food, errands), and a small contingency for travel or weekend trips to the coast. Shoulder seasons can ease prices for longer stays, while summer brings busier streets and longer queues at popular spots. For neighborhood fit, aim for central areas like the City Centre or Portswood if you want cafes and coworking nearby, or choose quieter parts toward the River Test if you prefer calm and green spaces. Tip: set a weekly cap for dining out and use seasonal markets to stretch your budget.