Cost of Living in Birmingham
West Midlands
City
West Midlands, EnglandPopulation: 1,145,000
Average House Price
£243.5k
-16% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£35,429
-9% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£994/mo
-17% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,174Band D / yr
Energy£147/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£36.00/ mo
Bus Pass£67.72/ mo
House Prices in Birmingham
+4.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£243,540
Detached£400,950
Semi-detached£242,550
Terraced£183,150
Flat / Apartment£143,550
House prices in Birmingham have increased by +4.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Birmingham
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£35,429
Mean£39,762
Median hourly rate£16.87/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£24,064
Upper quartile (75th)£46,530
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-9.2%
£3,610 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Birmingham
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Birmingham each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £994 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £181 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £147 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £36.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £175 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £257 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £142 |
| Estimated Total | £1,966 |
These figures are estimates based on averages and may vary depending on your lifestyle, property type, and household size. Council tax shown at Band D; your band may differ.
Transport Costs in Birmingham
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£67.72
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.34
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£175
Compare Birmingham with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Birmingham stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Birmingham
- What is the average house price in Birmingham?
- The average house price in Birmingham is £243,540, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £400,950, while flats and apartments average £143,550. Prices have risen by +4.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Birmingham?
- The median annual salary in Birmingham is £35,429, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £3,610 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £24,064 (lower quartile) to £46,530 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Birmingham?
- Average monthly rent in Birmingham is £994 per month. Rents have increased by +3.8% over the past year.
- Is Birmingham an affordable place to live?
- Birmingham can be a stretch for those on median earnings. Rent accounts for approximately 34% of the median monthly income, which exceeds the 30% affordability guideline. The average monthly rent is £994, while the median annual salary is £35,429 (approximately £2,952 per month before tax).
- How does Birmingham compare to London?
- The average house price in Birmingham is £243,540, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Birmingham costs around 44% of London prices, making it £307,460 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £994 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Birmingham?
- House prices in Birmingham are currently rising, with a +4.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £243,540 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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