Cost of Living in Manchester
North West
City
Greater Manchester, EnglandPopulation: 568,000
Average House Price
£193.1k
-33% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£35,654
-9% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£828/mo
-31% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£1,978Band D / yr
Energy£144/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£36.00/ mo
Bus Pass£67.72/ mo
House Prices in Manchester
+4.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£193,130
Detached£338,200
Semi-detached£194,020
Terraced£137,950
Flat / Apartment£124,600
House prices in Manchester have increased by +4.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Manchester
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£35,654
Mean£40,138
Median hourly rate£17.01/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£24,346
Upper quartile (75th)£47,000
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-8.7%
£3,385 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Manchester
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Manchester 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) | £165 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £144 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £36.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £175 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £257 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £142 |
| Estimated Total | £1,781 |
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 Manchester
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£67.72
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.34
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£175
Compare Manchester with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Manchester stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Manchester
- What is the average house price in Manchester?
- The average house price in Manchester is £193,130, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £338,200, while flats and apartments average £124,600. Prices have risen by +4.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Manchester?
- The median annual salary in Manchester is £35,654, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £3,385 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £24,346 (lower quartile) to £47,000 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Manchester?
- Average monthly rent in Manchester is £828 per month. Rents have increased by +4.2% over the past year.
- Is Manchester an affordable place to live?
- Manchester is reasonably affordable, with rent taking up around 28% 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 £35,654 (approximately £2,971 per month before tax).
- How does Manchester compare to London?
- The average house price in Manchester is £193,130, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Manchester costs around 35% of London prices, making it £357,870 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 Manchester?
- House prices in Manchester are currently rising, with a +4.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £193,130 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.