Cost of Living in South Shields
North East
Town
Tyne and Wear, EnglandPopulation: 76,000
Average House Price
£143.6k
-51% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£32,770
-16% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£690/mo
-43% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,162Band D / yr
Energy£150/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£34.00/ mo
Bus Pass£62.86/ mo
House Prices in South Shields
+2.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£143,550
Detached£259,260
Semi-detached£149,640
Terraced£100,050
Flat / Apartment£91,350
House prices in South Shields have increased by +2.0% over the past year.
Salaries in South Shields
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£32,770
Mean£36,616
Median hourly rate£15.59/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£22,264
Upper quartile (75th)£43,056
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-16.1%
£6,269 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in South Shields
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in South Shields each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £690 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £180 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £150 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £34.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £162 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £238 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £132 |
| Estimated Total | £1,622 |
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 South Shields
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£62.86
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.25
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£162
Compare South Shields with Another Location
See how the cost of living in South Shields stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
South Shields vs London
South Shields vs Manchester
South Shields vs Birmingham
South Shields vs Edinburgh
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in South Shields
- What is the average house price in South Shields?
- The average house price in South Shields is £143,550, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £259,260, while flats and apartments average £91,350. Prices have risen by +2.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in South Shields?
- The median annual salary in South Shields is £32,770, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £6,269 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £22,264 (lower quartile) to £43,056 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in South Shields?
- Average monthly rent in South Shields is £690 per month. Rents have increased by +8.0% over the past year.
- Is South Shields an affordable place to live?
- South Shields is reasonably affordable, with rent taking up around 25% of the median monthly income. This is close to, but within, the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £690, while the median annual salary is £32,770 (approximately £2,731 per month before tax).
- How does South Shields compare to London?
- The average house price in South Shields is £143,550, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in South Shields costs around 26% of London prices, making it £407,450 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £690 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in South Shields?
- House prices in South Shields are currently rising, with a +2.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £143,550 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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