Cost of Living in Southend-on-Sea
East of England
City
Essex, EnglandPopulation: 183,000
Average House Price
£368.4k
+27% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£37,299
-4% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,126/mo
-6% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,015Band D / yr
Energy£143/ mo
Water£34.00/ mo
Broadband£36.00/ mo
Bus Pass£74.84/ mo
House Prices in Southend-on-Sea
+4.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£368,420
Detached£550,450
Semi-detached£365,150
Terraced£305,200
Flat / Apartment£218,000
House prices in Southend-on-Sea have increased by +4.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Southend-on-Sea
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£37,299
Mean£42,394
Median hourly rate£18.00/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£25,568
Upper quartile (75th)£50,290
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
-4.5%
£1,740 below national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Southend-on-Sea
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Southend-on-Sea each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £1,126 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £168 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £143 |
| Utilities | Water | £34.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £36.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £193 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £272 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £157 |
| Estimated Total | £2,130 |
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 Southend-on-Sea
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£74.84
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.49
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£193
Compare Southend-on-Sea with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Southend-on-Sea stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Southend-on-Sea vs London
Southend-on-Sea vs Manchester
Southend-on-Sea vs Birmingham
Southend-on-Sea vs Edinburgh
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Southend-on-Sea
- What is the average house price in Southend-on-Sea?
- The average house price in Southend-on-Sea is £368,420, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £550,450, while flats and apartments average £218,000. Prices have risen by +4.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Southend-on-Sea?
- The median annual salary in Southend-on-Sea is £37,299, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £1,740 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £25,568 (lower quartile) to £50,290 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Southend-on-Sea?
- Average monthly rent in Southend-on-Sea is £1,126 per month. Rents have increased by +2.8% over the past year.
- Is Southend-on-Sea an affordable place to live?
- Southend-on-Sea can be a stretch for those on median earnings. Rent accounts for approximately 36% of the median monthly income, which exceeds the 30% affordability guideline. The average monthly rent is £1,126, while the median annual salary is £37,299 (approximately £3,108 per month before tax).
- How does Southend-on-Sea compare to London?
- The average house price in Southend-on-Sea is £368,420, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Southend-on-Sea costs around 67% of London prices, making it £182,580 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,126 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Southend-on-Sea?
- House prices in Southend-on-Sea are currently rising, with a +4.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £368,420 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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