Living cost planner
UK cost of living budget calculator: enter your real rent, bills and income to see what is left each month and your first-month cost, and compare homes.
A better-informed decision.
Complete the form to see your breakdown.
This UK cost of living budget calculator shows what is left of your monthly take-home pay after rent, bills, food and transport, and what your whole first month will cost once you add one-off setup costs. You enter your real figures, the tool adds them up, and you can save one scenario to compare with another, such as two cities or two flats. It does not use city averages, because an average rarely matches your household.
Who it is for
Anyone moving to the UK or changing home: students, workers and families who want to test a rent or a job offer against real costs before they commit.
How the tool works
- Income. Enter your monthly net income after tax and NI. If you do not know it, work it out first in the take-home pay calculator.
- Monthly costs. Seven items: rent, utilities and internet, Council Tax or local rates, food, transport, childcare and other costs.
- Remaining. Income minus monthly costs.
- First month. Monthly costs plus one-off setup costs, such as a deposit, furniture and travel.
- Compare. “Save for comparison” keeps your last two scenarios in this browser only.
A worked example
These figures are made up for illustration. They are not an average for any city.
| Item | Per month |
|---|---|
| Net income | £2,600 |
| Rent | £1,100 |
| Utilities and internet | £180 |
| Council Tax | £150 |
| Food | £350 |
| Transport | £120 |
| Childcare | £0 |
| Other costs | £200 |
Monthly costs come to £2,100, leaving £500. With £1,500 of setup costs, the first month totals £3,600, which is £1,000 more than one month’s income. That gap has to come from savings you bring with you.
Where to find real numbers
- Rent. Use the advert itself. In England, from 1 May 2026, a landlord cannot ask for rent before the tenancy is signed, can ask for at most 1 month’s rent in advance after signing, and cannot accept offers above the advertised rent.
- Council Tax. Check your council’s charge for the property’s band. It is usually split into 10 monthly payments. If you live alone you may get 25% off. In Northern Ireland, enter your domestic rates instead.
- Energy. Ofgem’s price cap limits unit rates and standing charges, not your total bill. The more energy you use, the more you pay.
- TV Licence. £180 a year if you watch live TV or use BBC iPlayer, or £15 a month under “other costs”.
- Transport. Use your local operator’s fares for your actual daily journey.
How to compare two scenarios
Name the first scenario, for example “Flat near work”, fill it in and save it. Rename it “Cheaper flat further out”, change only rent and transport, and save again. The tool shows both side by side. Change one or two items at a time so you can see what made the difference.
What the tool does not do
- It does not estimate any cost for you. An empty box counts as £0, and £0 is not an estimate.
- It does not calculate tax, visa fees or seasonal changes such as winter heating. Use the visa cost calculator for fees.
- It does not send your figures anywhere. Everything stays in your browser.
Common mistakes
- Entering gross pay. The tool needs net pay, or it will show money you do not have.
- Forgetting Council Tax. Ask whether it is included in the rent or paid by you.
- Spreading Council Tax over 12 months when you pay in 10. The monthly payment is higher in those 10 months.
- Ignoring the first month. Rent in advance, deposit and furniture all land at once.
Frequently asked questions
Why doesn’t the tool show average costs for each city?
Averages hide the differences between areas, household sizes and property types. Figures from real listings are more accurate.
Do students pay Council Tax?
GOV.UK says a household where everyone is a full-time student does not pay. If someone who is not a student lives there, a bill is issued, possibly with a discount.
Can I compare more than two scenarios?
The tool keeps the last two. Note down each result if you need more.
Does registering with a GP cost money?
No. The NHS says registering with a GP surgery in England is free, and you do not need ID, proof of address or proof of immigration status.
Sources
- Council Tax: paying your bill ↗
- Council Tax: who has to pay ↗
- Council Tax: full-time students ↗
- Northern Ireland rate bills ↗
- Ofgem energy price cap ↗
- TV Licence ↗
- Renters’ Rights Act: overview for tenants ↗
- How to register with a GP surgery ↗
Next step
Before a viewing, use the housing checklist, split your bill with the council tax tool, and compare commutes in the transport guide.
Reviewed 24 September 2026.