Cost of Living in Bolton
North West
Town
Greater Manchester, EnglandPopulation: 288,000
Average House Price
£232.2k
-20% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£38,689
-1% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£828/mo
-31% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,142Band D / yr
Energy£150/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£34.00/ mo
Bus Pass£66.35/ mo
House Prices in Bolton
+2.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£232,190
Detached£406,600
Semi-detached£233,260
Terraced£165,850
Flat / Apartment£149,800
House prices in Bolton have increased by +2.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Bolton
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£38,689
Mean£43,554
Median hourly rate£18.46/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£26,418
Upper quartile (75th)£51,000
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-0.9%
£350 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Bolton
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Bolton each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £828 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £179 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £150 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £34.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £171 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £257 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £139 |
| Estimated Total | £1,793 |
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 Bolton
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£66.35
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.32
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£171
Compare Bolton with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Bolton stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Bolton
- What is the average house price in Bolton?
- The average house price in Bolton is £232,190, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £406,600, while flats and apartments average £149,800. Prices have risen by +2.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Bolton?
- The median annual salary in Bolton is £38,689, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £350 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £26,418 (lower quartile) to £51,000 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Bolton?
- Average monthly rent in Bolton is £828 per month. Rents have increased by +4.2% over the past year.
- Is Bolton an affordable place to live?
- Bolton is reasonably affordable, with rent taking up around 26% of the median monthly income. This is close to, but within, the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £828, while the median annual salary is £38,689 (approximately £3,224 per month before tax).
- How does Bolton compare to London?
- The average house price in Bolton is £232,190, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Bolton costs around 42% of London prices, making it £318,810 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £828 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Bolton?
- House prices in Bolton are currently rising, with a +2.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £232,190 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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