How expensive is Cambridge compared to the rest of United Kingdom?

Cambridge ranks #48 out of 577 cities globally. It is 13.6% more expensive than the United Kingdom average, based on 23 cities. The rent index is 44.4 and local purchasing power is 140.8.

What is the average rent in Cambridge?

A 1-bedroom apartment in Cambridge city centre costs approximately GBP 1,562 per month. Outside the centre, rent drops to GBP 1,315 (saving 16%). A 3-bedroom apartment in the centre costs around GBP 2,397.

Is Cambridge affordable to live in?

Cambridge is very expensive by global standards. Groceries are average, restaurants are average, and local purchasing power is strong. Workers in United Kingdom earning GBP 42,720 gross take home approximately GBP 2,857 per month after tax.

🇬🇧 United Kingdom · 2026

Levnadskostnader i Cambridge

13.6% över United Kingdom-genomsnittet

Placering #48 av 577 städer · Dyrare än 91.7% av städerna i världen

+13.6%

Levnadskostnader

+33.3%

Hyra

+2.1%

Livsmedel

+9.0%

Köpkraft

Jämfört med United Kingdom-genomsnittet · Se United Kingdom-ranking →

Hyrespriser i Cambridge

Lägenhet	Innerstad	Utanför centrum	Du sparar
1 rum	GBP 1,562/mo ≈ $2,069	GBP 1,315/mo ≈ $1,742	16%
3 rum	GBP 2,397/mo ≈ $3,175	GBP 1,985/mo ≈ $2,629	17%

Numbeo · 2026-10-02

Prices of Goods & Services in Cambridge

Groceries

Item	Price	Sources
Apples (1kg)	GBP 2.46	2 sources
Beer (0.5L, supermarket)	GBP 2.01	2 sources
Bread (500g)	GBP 1.22	2 sources
Local cheese (1kg)	GBP 8.40	2 sources
Chicken (1kg)	GBP 7.15	2 sources
Cigarettes (Marlboro)	GBP 12.65	2 sources
Eggs (12)	GBP 2.92	1 source
Milk (1L)	GBP 1.14	2 sources
Potatoes (1kg)	GBP 0.71	1 source
Tomatoes (1kg)	GBP 3.41	1 source
Wine (mid-range)	GBP 9.16	2 sources

Apples (1kg)

GBP 2.46

Beer (0.5L, supermarket)

GBP 2.01

Bread (500g)

GBP 1.22

Local cheese (1kg)

GBP 8.40

Chicken (1kg)

GBP 7.15

Cigarettes (Marlboro)

GBP 12.65

Eggs (12)

GBP 2.92

Milk (1L)

GBP 1.14

Potatoes (1kg)

GBP 0.71

Tomatoes (1kg)

GBP 3.41

Wine (mid-range)

GBP 9.16

Restaurants

Item	Price	Sources
Draft beer (0.5L)	GBP 5.44	2 sources
Cappuccino	GBP 3.39	1 source
McMeal	GBP 9.00	1 source
Cheap meal	GBP 16.25	2 sources
Mid-range dinner (2 people)	GBP 68.00	2 sources

Draft beer (0.5L)

GBP 5.44

Cappuccino

GBP 3.39

McMeal

GBP 9.00

Cheap meal

GBP 16.25

Mid-range dinner (2 people)

GBP 68.00

Clothing & Shoes

Item	Price	Sources
Business shoes (leather)	GBP 77.00	1 source
Jeans (Levi's 501)	GBP 109.00	1 source
Sport shoes (Nike)	GBP 64.25	2 sources
Summer dress (Zara/H&M)	GBP 32.24	2 sources

Business shoes (leather)

GBP 77.00

Jeans (Levi's 501)

GBP 109.00

Sport shoes (Nike)

GBP 64.25

Summer dress (Zara/H&M)

GBP 32.24

Leisure

Item	Price	Sources
Cinema ticket	GBP 10.75	2 sources
Gym membership	GBP 53.00	2 sources

Cinema ticket

GBP 10.75

Gym membership

GBP 53.00

Transportation

Item	Price	Sources
Gasoline (1L)	GBP 1.61	2 sources
Taxi start	GBP 6.00	1 source
Monthly pass	GBP 59.00	2 sources

Gasoline (1L)

GBP 1.61

Taxi start

GBP 6.00

Monthly pass

GBP 59.00

Utilities

Item	Price	Sources
Basic utilities (85m²)	GBP 316.13	2 sources

Basic utilities (85m²)

GBP 316.13

Prices in local currency, cross-referenced from multiple independent sources. October 2026.

Multi-Source Comparison

★★★ High Confidence

Cambridge has a cost of living index of 61.0 (New York = 100, rent included), the average of 3 of 3 data sources.

61.0

Index

Sources

2.6

Gap between sources

Source Values (NYC = 100)

Numbeo

60.3

Expatistan

60.0

LivingCost

62.6

ShouldIMove price index

No data

ShouldIMove price index: our own basket of real item prices plus rent.

View all 577 cities

Kostnadsindex

Levnadskostnader

+13.6% Expensive

Hyra

+33.3% Very expensive

Livsmedel

+2.1% Average

Restauranger

-3.5% Average

Köpkraft

+9.0% Strong

Att bo i Cambridge: vad du kan förvänta dig

Cambridge är very expensive enligt globala mått (plats #48 av 577 städer). 13.6% dyrare än United Kingdom-genomsnittet, baserat på 23 städer.

Matvaror är average, medan att äta ute är average. Restaurants erbjuder bäst värde, medan Rent är dyrast.

Den lokala köpkraften är stark: invånare har råd med fler varor och tjänster än i de flesta städer.

Anställda i United Kingdom med GBP 42,720 brutto får GBP 2,857/mån netto efter skatt (effektiv skattesats: 19.8%%). Se hela skattekalkylatorn för United Kingdom →