Cost of living

Cost of Living in Liverpool: What You Really Need to Earn

Liverpool remains one of the UK's most affordable major cities. A full breakdown of monthly costs and the minimum comfortable salary for 2024.

June 2025 · 6 min read

Liverpool punches above its weight culturally but remains one of the most affordable major cities in the UK. If you're relocating or considering a move, the cost of living here compares very favourably to most alternatives.

Monthly Cost of Living in Liverpool

ExpenseCity centreSuburbs
Rent (1-bed flat)£700–£1,050£550–£800
Council tax£100–£150£95–£145
Utilities£95–£140£90–£135
Broadband£25–£35£25–£35
Groceries£180–£260£170–£250
Transport (Merseytravel monthly)£60–£85£65–£95
Phone£20–£40£20–£40
Eating out / socialising£100–£230£90–£200
Gym / subscriptions£30–£65£28–£60
Total (estimate)£1,310–£2,055£1,133–£1,760

What Salary Do You Need in Liverpool?

£20,000
Minimum to get by
£26,000
Comfortable in city centre
£33,000+
Comfortable with savings

Liverpool is one of the few major UK cities where a salary of £26,000 genuinely enables a comfortable independent life. At £20,000 (take-home ~£1,400) it's tight but achievable in a flatshare or the suburbs. At £33,000+, Liverpool offers an excellent quality of life at a fraction of equivalent London costs.

Rent in Liverpool

Liverpool city centre 1-bed flats average £800–£1,000/month — among the lowest of any major UK city. Areas like Wavertree, Allerton, and Aigburth offer good value at £550–£800/month. The Baltic Triangle and Ropewalks are popular with younger professionals at £800–£1,050/month.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Around £26,000 is sufficient for comfortable city centre living in Liverpool. In the suburbs, £20,000–£22,000 is workable.

Yes — Liverpool is one of the cheapest major UK cities. Monthly living costs are typically £300–£600 lower than Manchester and far below London.

A 1-bed flat in Liverpool city centre costs approximately £800–£1,000/month. Suburban areas cost £550–£800/month.

Source: ONS Family Spending Survey 2024; Numbeo Liverpool 2024