Cost of Living in Cambridge
East of England
City
Cambridgeshire, EnglandPopulation: 145,000
Average House Price
£381.9k
+32% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£38,886
-0% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,331/mo
+11% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,190Band D / yr
Energy£149/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£40.00/ mo
Bus Pass£77.87/ mo
House Prices in Cambridge
+3.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£381,940
Detached£570,650
Semi-detached£378,550
Terraced£316,400
Flat / Apartment£226,000
House prices in Cambridge have increased by +3.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Cambridge
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£38,886
Mean£44,198
Median hourly rate£18.77/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£26,656
Upper quartile (75th)£52,430
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-0.4%
£153 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Cambridge
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Cambridge each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £1,331 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £183 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £149 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £40.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £201 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £272 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £164 |
| Estimated Total | £2,375 |
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 Cambridge
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£77.87
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.55
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£201
Compare Cambridge with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Cambridge stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Cambridge
- What is the average house price in Cambridge?
- The average house price in Cambridge is £381,940, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £570,650, while flats and apartments average £226,000. Prices have risen by +3.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Cambridge?
- The median annual salary in Cambridge is £38,886, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £153 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £26,656 (lower quartile) to £52,430 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Cambridge?
- Average monthly rent in Cambridge is £1,331 per month. Rents have increased by +2.8% over the past year.
- Is Cambridge an affordable place to live?
- Cambridge is expensive relative to local earnings. Rent accounts for approximately 41% of the median monthly income, significantly above the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £1,331, while the median annual salary is £38,886 (approximately £3,241 per month before tax).
- How does Cambridge compare to London?
- The average house price in Cambridge is £381,940, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Cambridge costs around 69% of London prices, making it £169,060 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,331 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Cambridge?
- House prices in Cambridge are currently rising, with a +3.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £381,940 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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