Cost Of Living in Nottingham: A Comprehensive Guide 2024

Many people come to the beautiful city of Nottingham to pursue their dreams. After all, Nottingham is one of the best cities to live in the UK since it is 10% more affordable than London, which entices many people to move to the city. Nottingham being the 6th largest city in the UK and being relatively safe make it a great city to choose for studies and living! One thing before moving to such a city is the cost of living. Hence, today we are going to take a dive into the cost of living in Nottingham. We will discuss various costs and figures. So strap in because it is going to be a ride! 

About Nottingham

Located in Nottinghamshire, East Midlands, lies the home of Robin Hood, Nottingham. The city is the largest urban area in the East Midlands, with a population of 768,638. Due to it being of the biggest cities in the East Midlands, it has become the home of famous universities like Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham. The city also has a rich history in Robin Hood, and the city also has a rich sporting history since it was named the 'First City of Football' in 2014. The cost of living in Nottingham is lower than in cities like London and Bristol.

What is the cost of living in Nottingham?

Money matters! Especially when moving to a new place. Suppose your destination happens to be Nottingham, the land of Robin Hood and affordable living! Knowing the Nottingham cost of living is like unlocking the secret treasure map to financial peace of mind. You'll know how much to budget for your weekly dose of fish and chips, spontaneous shopping sprees at the Lace Market, and, of course, the occasional indulgence in the local legend—Nottinghamshire pie.

1. Cost of Housing

If you are alone or moving with a family moving to Nottingham and looking for a place to rent, then you are in luck. There are many places to rent in the city, and all of the rental prices are more affordable than in other major cities at an exceptional value, which makes the city an enticing place to live! You will find all types of rental houses from 1 BHK to 3 BHK, and your rent can roughly come to around £586/month to £1,375/month.

If you are a student moving to the city and looking for the best places to live in Nottingham, then you can check out our student accommodations. There are several options for student accommodation from which to choose. There are three types of accommodations available in Nottingham: studios, en-suites, and non-en-suites if you seek practical and comfortable Nottingham accommodation. If you are confused about how to pick your student accommodation. Our student housing guide for Nottingham will be your best friend! 

How to save money on housing costs?

Your Nottingham living costs will depend on the type and location of your housing. To reduce the cost, you can choose to live in a house a bit far from the city centre to cut on some rent. If you are a student, then you can choose to live in a double occupancy room or share a flat with a few friends to cut costs on utilities, rent, food and others.

2. Cost of Utilities

The cost of basic utilities must be considered when calculating the cost of living in Nottingham. The monthly cost of your utilities will vary depending on where you live and how often you use these commodities, but they are unavoidable for the smooth operation of your home. These inevitable costs include your heating, water, WiFi and mobile plans, electricity, and garbage. Your average cost will come around £15-£50/month.

How to reduce utility costs

Sharing a flat with roommates might drastically lower your living expenses in Nottingham. This next one can help out even families to save a bunch of money on utilities, switching off the lights, and turning down the heat and conditioning when you leave your flat. 

3. Cost of Food

This basic necessity of food can't be left out when we discuss the cost of living in Nottingham. Food prices vary according to your taste and preferences; however, your food costs should be approximately £200-£351/month. We have made a rough breakdown of Nottingham's food and grocery prices.

How to save money on groceries and food?

The best way to save money on groceries would be to keep yourself clear of pre-cut fruits and vegetables, buying your greens and fruits from the farmer's market since they would be selling at a lower rate than a normal supermarket! 

4. Cost of Transportation

Your travelling costs will eat up a good amount from your cost of living in Nottingham. The city has transportation methods like buses and trams. You can catch the bus near the city centre and go across the city, as roughly 100 buses are run to and from the city. For trams, they stretch from the city centre to the city's northern and southern outskirts. Below is the average price breakdown of travelling costs to help you create a budget.

How to save money on transportation?

If you are a student living in Nottingham, the best way to reduce your transportation costs would be to apply for a student discount online that can reduce your fare drastically. Many can also purchase the Easyrider Purse to get discounts on their Nottingham bus ticket prices!

5. Miscellaneous Costs

While living in this beautiful city, you will face a variety of minor expenses throughout the week and on the weekends, like eating out at a restaurant, going to clubs and partying hard! Applying for a gym membership to stay fit, or even catching the new blockbuster film at your nearest cinema. This cost can even include your healthcare! These small costs can add up to a lot and burn a major hole in your pocket and mess up your cost of living in Nottingham if you are not careful with them! With plenty of things to do in Nottingham, such as exploring the various cafes, museums, and tourist attractions, you will certainly have to factor in these miscellaneous expenses into your cost of living in Nottingham. To help you out, we have provided a rough estimate of some costs you might face in this section.

How to save money on miscellaneous costs

These expenses may have appeared to be the most fun, but they are tragically the least required. When seeking to cut your cost of living in Nottingham, these are the first things to go. Finding less expensive alternatives to these expenses may be the most effective approach to saving money. For example, you may utilise the gym at your school instead of purchasing a gym membership, which is likely to be free. You may also thrift for your clothes instead of buying from well-known brands to help you save money on your cost of living in Nottingham. 

6. Cost of Education

If you are a student coming to Nottingham for studies, paying your tuition fees will take up a good amount in your cost of living in Nottingham for students. Hence, it is an important factor to keep this in mind while planning your budget. We have listed the top universities in Nottingham with their fees to help you!

1. University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham is one of the best universities in Nottingham. Established in 1948, the university has a QS ranking of 114. The university has a wide range of courses for students to choose from. Tuition fee varies from course to course; hence, we have made a rough breakdown of the fees to help you better understand the cost of living in Nottingham.

2. Nottingham Trent University

Nottingham Trent University is most recognised for its Art and Design, Fashion, and Creative Arts programmes, but it also houses one of the largest law schools in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1992, the university has achieved a QS ranking of 501. With so many courses available, the tuition fees may vary. Here is a breakdown of the tuition fees to help you understand your cost of living in Nottingham.

How to save money on tuition fees

Tuition fees are more or less necessary expenses for students, and there is little you can do to get them to lower their pricing. Applying for scholarships or financial aid is the best method to lower your living expenses in Nottingham. There are many scholarships available in the UK, like the Chevening Scholarship. You can also apply for financial aid from your chosen university if you are eligible helping you lower your cost of living in Nottingham.

These are the basic things that any student has to keep in mind when they are going to be moving to Nottingham. While this blog may not have addressed every possible expense, we hope it has given you an idea of what to expect when planning your budget. If you need help creating one, our blog on how to create a budget will greatly help.