Cost of Living in Bristol
South West
City
Population: 472,000
Average House Price
£289.0k
-0% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£38,148
-2% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,221/mo
+2% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,237Band D / yr
Energy£144/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£33.00/ mo
Bus Pass£70.50/ mo
House Prices in Bristol
+1.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£288,960
Detached£436,800
Semi-detached£278,400
Terraced£240,000
Flat / Apartment£187,200
House prices in Bristol have increased by +1.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Bristol
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£38,148
Mean£42,925
Median hourly rate£18.33/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£26,058
Upper quartile (75th)£50,500
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-2.3%
£891 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Bristol
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Bristol each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £1,221 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £186 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £144 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £33.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £182 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £284 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £148 |
| Estimated Total | £2,233 |
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 Bristol
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£70.50
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.40
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£182
Compare Bristol with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Bristol stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Bristol
- What is the average house price in Bristol?
- The average house price in Bristol is £288,960, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £436,800, while flats and apartments average £187,200. Prices have risen by +1.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Bristol?
- The median annual salary in Bristol is £38,148, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £891 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £26,058 (lower quartile) to £50,500 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Bristol?
- Average monthly rent in Bristol is £1,221 per month. Rents have increased by +6.2% over the past year.
- Is Bristol an affordable place to live?
- Bristol can be a stretch for those on median earnings. Rent accounts for approximately 38% of the median monthly income, which exceeds the 30% affordability guideline. The average monthly rent is £1,221, while the median annual salary is £38,148 (approximately £3,179 per month before tax).
- How does Bristol compare to London?
- The average house price in Bristol is £288,960, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Bristol costs around 52% of London prices, making it £262,040 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,221 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Bristol?
- House prices in Bristol are currently rising, with a +1.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £288,960 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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