Cost of Living in Bristol 2024

Do you know the thing that can’t buy happiness? The thing that isn’t the most important in the world? Or, as they commonly say, isn't everything? Yup, you guessed it, we are talking about money. It has many names: dollars, pounds, euros, and pesos, but the purpose is the same, to make your life easy and comfortable. So when it comes to living costs in Bristol, where money plays a pretty central role, one needs to consider many factors to ensure they’re staying in a place that most don't like, but have to, that is in budget. We know how tiring logistics can be, so we have broken down the cost of living in Bristol for you to get an idea of what to expect from the city.

About Bristol

Bristol is a city, ceremonial county and unitary authority in England. Situated on the River Avon, it is bordered by the ceremonial counties of Gloucestershire to the north and Somerset to the south. Bristol is the most populous city in South West England. The city houses over 30,000 students. The wider Bristol Built-up Area is the eleventh most populous urban area in the United Kingdom. Bristol also has a British Port, which is very famous as the city played a major role in the European discovery trade with North America. The trade mostly includes slaves and farming goods. At that time, Bristol was at the forefront of aviation technology and co-led the development of Concord.
Initially, it might not be simple to budget your spending and find ways to save money, but as you get to know the city, you'll develop a routine and discover your own money management methods. The average total cost of living in Bristol accounts to approximately £766.9 monthly without rent included. We've broken down the cost of living in Bristol, so you can get a head start on this process and be prepared before you start your stay in Bristol.

Tuition

Let's start with what will probably be your biggest outlay of money for tuition. Your student's cost of living in Bristol will depend greatly on your tuition fees. Tuition costs will change depending on your college and the course you've applied for.

University of Bristol

The university is considered one of the top universities in the UK, ranked 9th in the country. The university offers students a wider range of courses and is also considered one of the best institutions in the nation for employment, boasting an impressive 94% employability rate. Additionally, the University of Bristol's living cost also depends on the factors that are mentioned above.

University of Law

The University of Law is the premier university for law in the UK, with campuses nationwide. The Bristol campus is adjacent to Bristol Temple Meads Train Station, a significant local transportation hub, and the city centre, which contains a variety of independent cafes and eateries. It is situated in Bristol's legal district.

Trinity College Bristol Campus

Trinity College, Bristol is an evangelical Anglican theological college in Stoke Bishop, Bristol, England. The institute has an almost legendary reputation in the UK.

How can you save on tuition fees?

The institutions set the tuition rates in advance, but if you want to attend one of these universities, you can apply for a variety of scholarships. A fantastic strategy to lower your overall cost of living in Bristol is to apply for scholarships.
If your university offers students any scholarship possibilities, inquire about them. You can also apply for a few scholarships that are supported by the government. One of the most well-known UK scholarships is the Chevening Scholarship which you can read about here. 

Cost of Housing in Bristol

Bristol is an affordable city for rent. Compared to other major cities in the country, Bristol is among the least expensive in terms of housing prices and is a frequent choice for newcomers. If you are someone travelling to Bristol for a job or with your family, you can get a moderate1-bedroom to a 3-bedroom apartment near the city centre average costs from $877.70 to $1920.86

Additionally, if you are a student travelling to Bristol and have a question,’ Is Bristol expensive for students?’ your choice of student accommodation will heavily influence your total cost of living in Bristol. There are several different student accommodation options available for you to choose from. You can choose to live in either on-campus or off-campus accommodation. The living cost in Bristol for international students will vary based on where you live and the kind of room you have. Check the options for student accommodation in Bristol, which roughly reflects the cost of living in Bristol.

Student Accommodation Costs

Your total living expenses in Bristol will also be heavily influenced by your choice of student accommodation. There are several different student accommodation options available for you to choose from. You can choose to live in either on-campus or off-campus accommodation. You can also choose between private rentals and Purpose Built Student Accommodation (PBSA). PBSAs are residential properties built specifically for students with student needs in mind. PBSAs are fully furnished and come with all bills included. If you’re looking for convenient and comfortable student accommodation in Bristol, PBSAs are your best option. You can check out a range of PBSAs here. 
Your accommodation will vary based on where you live and the kind of room you have. The following ranges roughly reflect the cost of living in Bristol:

How can you save on student accommodation costs?
You can always be flexible with your choices regarding housing expenses. You can narrow down the house facilities as per your need and focus more on your needs. For instance, you can share a single-bedroom apartment with your office colleague. If you are shifting with your family, you can choose a locality that is not much more expensive and has a moderate neighbourhood. On the other hand, if you are a student, you can lower your cost of living in Bristol by living with friends or renting a room for two people. The cost of lodging will likewise be less expensive the farther you are from the city centre. You can hunt for property in a neighbouring residential area and commute to your institution to lower your living cost in Bristol.

Cost of Transportation in Bristol

It is crucial to take your travel expenses into account when calculating your cost of living in Bristol. Being that Bristol is a large city, getting about purely on foot might not be viable. Students can travel thanks to the city's effective network of public transportation systems.
‍Bus
Stagecoach Bus Services, Wessex Bus, and First West of England are three well-known bus companies in Bristol. You can take a bus from any location in the city thanks to the more than 150 buses that operate 24 hours a day throughout the Bristol bus stops. A ticket will cost you around £2.50/ day. But you can avail of a student discount for a monthly bus pass that costs around £50/ month.
Train
One of Britain's first rail systems, the MetroWest, is located in Bristol and dates back to 1987. Bristol's well-known extensive underground and suburban rail network connects the city's centre to every major nearby metropolis. You can now travel more easily to any location in the city that you like. 

How can you save on travel costs?
‘Walk that talk’ or ‘talk that walk’, whatever it is, the main objective is to walk. Walking not only will keep you fit but also help in reducing your travel costs. Consider purchasing combination passes or special term passes if you plan to travel somewhat frequently.
University students can receive significant travel discounts from many public transportation providers. If you want to lower your cost of living in Bristol, check with your university to see if there are any discounts you can take advantage of. 

Cost of Food in Bristol

When discussing the cost of living in Bristol, we cannot forget about food and grocery. These expenses are more difficult to estimate because they undoubtedly differ from individual to person. However, a student will probably spend £50-200 on food each month. The costs of some of the most typical student meals and grocery expenses are listed below:

How can you save on your food expenses?
This one can get tricky because ideally, the best way to save on food costs would be to just not eat. But we both know that it's not the right way and just not possible( guys do not take this as a challenge). You should make as many meals at home as you can. You'll find that eating out will quickly drain your bank account.
At first, it could be difficult to fit cooking into your daily schedule, but after some time, it'll be much simpler, and you might even come to enjoy it! If you’re looking for some inspiration in that department, head to our easy recipes for college students blog, and take your pick.

Other Living Expenses in Bristol

When estimating the cost of living in Bristol, basic utilities are an unavoidable investment. Your home needs utilities to operate on a basic level. Depending on where you live and how much you use these commodities, hot water, electricity, heating, and cooling can cost anywhere from £180 to $200 each month. You will often pay £25–30 per month for wifi.

How can you save on utilities?
One word: Minimalism. Start living the minimalist lifestyle, and you’ll be surprised by how much money you’ll save. We’re kidding guys, don't compromise on your essentials, they are called essentials for a reason.
One way you can try is splitting costs. Utilities are billed per household, not per person, so sharing a flat with friends will help you reduce these costs. Centurion House is an affordable student housing property that has all utilities included in its rent and starts at £160/week.

Miscellaneous Expenses

Your recreational costs will have a big impact on your cost of living in Bristol while you're a student. Your budget for things like a gym membership, shopping, outings, visiting museums, and sporting events will be included in this. Depending on your preferences, these prices may vary, but saving aside between £140-200 a month should be sufficient to cover them.

How can you cut down on these expenses?
If you feel like you need to lower your cost of living in Bristol, these should be the first expenses to be reduced since the majority of them are not necessary. You can also make plans to replace some of these costs with less expensive options.
For instance, you could wish to cut back on your gym membership, which costs £30 per month. You can research other reasonably priced gyms in the region or even inquire at your university, which is likely to have its own open exercise centre that you can utilise at a much lesser cost.

We've made an effort to break down your cost of living in Bristol to help planning your stay easier because managing your budget isn't always simple. We sincerely hope that you will find this information useful and can use it as a guide while creating your budget. Any student who has the opportunity to study in Bristol would be fortunate.

Psst! A little secret for those who just scroll through till the end without actually reading, our Bristol city guide covers most of the topics written but not all. So if you missed something above, do give it a read again. Check out this blog to exlore the best cafes and museums in Bristol.