Cost of Living in Colchester
East of England
City
Essex, EnglandPopulation: 123,000
Average House Price
£294.1k
+1% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£36,506
-6% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,152/mo
-4% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,059Band D / yr
Energy£145/ mo
Water£34.00/ mo
Broadband£34.00/ mo
Bus Pass£73.33/ mo
House Prices in Colchester
+2.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£294,060
Detached£439,350
Semi-detached£291,450
Terraced£243,600
Flat / Apartment£174,000
House prices in Colchester have increased by +2.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Colchester
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£36,506
Mean£41,492
Median hourly rate£17.62/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£25,024
Upper quartile (75th)£49,220
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-6.5%
£2,533 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Colchester
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Colchester each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £1,152 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £172 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £145 |
| Utilities | Water | £34.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £34.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £189 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £278 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £154 |
| Estimated Total | £2,158 |
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 Colchester
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£73.33
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.46
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£189
Compare Colchester with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Colchester stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Colchester
- What is the average house price in Colchester?
- The average house price in Colchester is £294,060, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £439,350, while flats and apartments average £174,000. Prices have risen by +2.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Colchester?
- The median annual salary in Colchester is £36,506, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £2,533 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £25,024 (lower quartile) to £49,220 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Colchester?
- Average monthly rent in Colchester is £1,152 per month. Rents have increased by +4.8% over the past year.
- Is Colchester an affordable place to live?
- Colchester 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 £1,152, while the median annual salary is £36,506 (approximately £3,042 per month before tax).
- How does Colchester compare to London?
- The average house price in Colchester is £294,060, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Colchester costs around 53% of London prices, making it £256,940 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,152 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Colchester?
- House prices in Colchester are currently rising, with a +2.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £294,060 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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