The Cost of Living in Salford: A Student Budgeting Guide (2025)

Cost of Food and Groceries in Salford

Apart from accommodation costs, food and groceries are essential expenses that students must consider. Food expenses may vary from person to person, but an average meal would cost between £20-£30 at a good restaurant. Students who are fans of fast food can expect the average food costs to range between £8-£12 per person. For students who prefer making their meals at home, groceries would cost around £150 per month. 

To reduce your monthly expenses, students can shop at supermarkets like Aldi and Lidl, which offer significantly lower prices. You can also keep an eye on Co-op, Tesco, Sainsbury's, and ASDA to offer promotions and loyalty programs that allow students to save money on shopping. For dining out, you can visit restaurants like Banana Tree, which offers 30% discounts to students with valid ID, and places where food is reasonably priced, like The Eagle Inn.

Transportation Cost in Salford

Salford has excellent transport links, which makes commuting easier for students. Students can use buses, trains and trams for transportation purposes. On average, students pay around £80-£100 for transportation. It includes commuting to university and discovering new places and Salford streets in the city. Students can take advantage of monthly bus passes at £62 per month to travel affordably. These transport options allow students to commute for short and long journeys at an affordable cost. Students can also take advantage of Student Travel Cards like the 16-25 Railcard to access discounts on fare charges to save money. 

Miscellaneous Expenses

In addition to major expenses, students also need other things that affect their overall living. Students require books and course materials, which will cost around £30-£50. Students should own clothing and personal items according to weather conditions. You can expect a £50-£70 budget for clothing and personal items. For entertainment and leisure activities, students should keep a budget of £50 per month.

Practical Tips to Save Money

To effectively manage student living expenses in Salford, you should monitor your payments and find areas where you can save money. Follow these practical tips to minimise expenditure while studying in Salford. Students can use our cost of living in Salford calculator to effectively manage their expenses. 

• You can create a budget to manage your expenses. Prioritising essential needs and spending wisely will help you save money.
• Eating out frequently can quickly drain your budget. You can cook your meals at home instead of dining out and spending more on restaurant bills.
• You can save transportation costs by using Oyster cards, which offer discounts on travel fairs. You can also avoid unnecessary travel to save money.
• You can buy used books and study materials at lower prices instead of buying new books. Libraries also offer free resources and research material.
• You can buy your groceries in bulk to save money and ask for student discounts at local supermarkets.
• Instead of spending on entertainment, you can opt for free museums and gardens to keep your budget in check.
• You can also search for a part-time job to make some extra cash.
• You can avoid impulse shopping to cut expenses.

Conclusion

Students will enjoy exceptional educational and cultural opportunities in Salford. The city is a top choice for its reasonable housing prices and affordable cost of living in Salford. Students can stay at cheap accommodation in Salford. You can find affordable living options to manage your monthly budget. You may choose to stay in Salford University halls or private accommodation. It is important to evaluate your lifestyle and make an appropriate budget before booking your accommodation. Students must ensure that properties provides all the necessary amenities for a comfortable stay. Contact Best Student Halls to find affordable accommodation in secure neighbourhoods in Salford.