Living Smart in Manchester: The ABCs of Cost of Living for Students in Manchester

Are you moving to Manchester? This is going to be one of the most unfilled experiences in your student journey. From some of the best university experiences to enjoying every bit of what the city has to offer, you are in for a treat. But bear in mind, you are on your own and your finances are in your hands. You have the independence you have always been looking for. You need to be aware of your financial situation and make decisions that work best for you. You need to look out to fulfil your necessities rather than your wants.

Our team has put together a few pointers that will help you understand the cost of living in Manchester as a student much better. We aim to provide a real update to you so that you can plan and budget for your time in Manchester. We will show you the expenses that you may incur on a daily, monthly or termly basis.

You can take all the inspiration you need from this guide to help you understand more about the cost of living in Manchester. You will get the chance to plan your expenses and create a budget that you will follow for the upcoming term.

Is Manchester for Students?

If you compare Manchester to big cities like London, then bear in mind that Manchester is way cheaper. Manchester is considered to be one of the cheapest cities to live in the UK. However, this does not mean that you won't have any expenses at all. There are a few fixed costs that you need to deal with come what may.

Bills in Manchester are really expensive and you need to make sure you pay them in time. this is one of the biggest reasons why students are inclined towards student accommodation in Manchester. Purpose Built Student Accommodation in Manchester has an all-inclusive rent structure. This means you do not have to worry about paying utility bills every month, all your utility bills are included in your rent amount itself. This being said, if you budget yourself and work as per a plan you will be able to sail through this financial journey.

Average Rent Amount For Student Accommodation in Manchester

The biggest worry any student has is the fixed expense of paying monthly rent. The average rent amount in Manchester per month is £800-£1200 per month. However, this is not all you need to know. The price also depends on multiple factors such as how close you are to the university, the room type you pick, the amenities on offer and much more.

We recommend you look out for student accommodation in Manchester that are close to your university and also have an all-inclusive rent structure. Look at the amenities and facilities they have on offer. Priorities daily essentials over luxury, will help you in many ways ahead. Student accommodation in Manchester are a popular choice because of the massive facilities they have on offer.

Cost of Utilities in Manchester

If you are in a set-up that is not all-inclusive and has to pay utility bills per month, you need to have an idea of the amounts. The most important utility bills that you need to pay as a student are your electricity bill, water bill, gas bill, and wifi bill. The average utility bills per month can go up to £240, depending on how many people you share a space with and the amount of utilities consumed.

Cost of Groceries in Manchester

There are multiple options at your disposal. You will find several grocery stores close to your student accommodation in Manchester. You can expect to spend around £30 at stores like TESCO and Sainsbury. But if you choose stores like Aldi or Lidl you can expect to spend around £25 per week. Overall, in a month you can expect to spend between £100-£125 on groceries.

Cost of Eating Out in Manchester

This is one of the most common mistakes students tend to make. The more you eat out the more money you spend, prefer cooking your meals at home and eating at home. The average cost of a full meal in a bar or a restaurant can be anywhere between £12-£15, you can expect to pay around £5-£8 for a pint of beer or a few other drinks. However, if you research well, you will find local outlets that are way cheaper and you can take advantage of this.

Cost of Transportation in Manchester

Manchester is a well-connected city. The modes of public transport available in Manchester are busses, taxis, trams and trains. Tram rides in Manchester cost between £1.40-£2.80 and a day pass costs around £2.70 to £4.30, depending on the number of zones covered.

The cost of using trains and taxis in Manchester heavily depends on the time of the day and the destination you are looking for.

All in all, you can have a good time in Manchester if you have a planned budget and work as per it. It would be best for you if you find a student accommodation in Manchester that is close to the university you will be attending. We encourage you to have a budget in mind and work as per the budget you have set for yourself.