Cost of Living in Bournemouth
South West
Town
Dorset, EnglandPopulation: 197,000
Average House Price
£273.9k
-6% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£36,259
-7% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,034/mo
-14% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,215Band D / yr
Energy£144/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£38.00/ mo
Bus Pass£74.17/ mo
House Prices in Bournemouth
+1.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£273,910
Detached£414,050
Semi-detached£263,900
Terraced£227,500
Flat / Apartment£177,450
House prices in Bournemouth have increased by +1.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Bournemouth
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£36,259
Mean£40,800
Median hourly rate£17.42/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£24,768
Upper quartile (75th)£48,000
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-7.1%
£2,780 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Bournemouth
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Bournemouth each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £1,034 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £185 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £144 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £38.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £192 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £281 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £156 |
| Estimated Total | £2,065 |
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 Bournemouth
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£74.17
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.47
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£192
Compare Bournemouth with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Bournemouth stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Bournemouth
- What is the average house price in Bournemouth?
- The average house price in Bournemouth is £273,910, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £414,050, while flats and apartments average £177,450. Prices have risen by +1.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Bournemouth?
- The median annual salary in Bournemouth is £36,259, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £2,780 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £24,768 (lower quartile) to £48,000 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Bournemouth?
- Average monthly rent in Bournemouth is £1,034 per month. Rents have increased by +5.2% over the past year.
- Is Bournemouth an affordable place to live?
- Bournemouth 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 £1,034, while the median annual salary is £36,259 (approximately £3,022 per month before tax).
- How does Bournemouth compare to London?
- The average house price in Bournemouth is £273,910, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Bournemouth costs around 50% of London prices, making it £277,090 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,034 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Bournemouth?
- House prices in Bournemouth are currently rising, with a +1.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £273,910 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
Nearby Locations
Explore the cost of living in other nearby areas.