Cost of Living in Watford
East of England
Town
Hertfordshire, EnglandPopulation: 97,000
Average House Price
£385.3k
+33% vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£39,283
+1% vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,190/mo
-1% vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax£2,124Band D / yr
Energy£147/ mo
Water£35.00/ mo
Broadband£41.00/ mo
Bus Pass£78.62/ mo
House Prices in Watford
+4.0% year-on-year
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£385,320
Detached£575,700
Semi-detached£381,900
Terraced£319,200
Flat / Apartment£228,000
House prices in Watford have increased by +4.0% over the past year.
Salaries in Watford
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£39,283
Mean£44,649
Median hourly rate£18.96/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£26,928
Upper quartile (75th)£52,965
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
+0.6%
£244 above national averageMonthly Cost of Living in Watford
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Watford each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent(Average monthly rent) | £1,190 |
| Housing | Council Tax(Band D, paid over 12 months) | £177 |
| Utilities | Energy(Gas and electricity) | £147 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £41.00 |
| Transport | Transport(Monthly commute estimate) | £203 |
| Food | Groceries(Estimated monthly shop) | £286 |
| Leisure | Leisure(Gym, dining out, entertainment) | £165 |
| Estimated Total | £2,244 |
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 Watford
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£78.62
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.56
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£203
Compare Watford with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Watford stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFrequently Asked Questions About Living in Watford
- What is the average house price in Watford?
- The average house price in Watford is £385,320, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £575,700, while flats and apartments average £228,000. Prices have risen by +4.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Watford?
- The median annual salary in Watford is £39,283, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £244 above the national average, making it a higher-earning area. Salaries typically range from £26,928 (lower quartile) to £52,965 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Watford?
- Average monthly rent in Watford is £1,190 per month. Rents have increased by +3.8% over the past year.
- Is Watford an affordable place to live?
- Watford 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 £1,190, while the median annual salary is £39,283 (approximately £3,274 per month before tax).
- How does Watford compare to London?
- The average house price in Watford is £385,320, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Watford costs around 70% of London prices, making it £165,680 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,190 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Watford?
- House prices in Watford are currently rising, with a +4.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £385,320 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
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