What a month in the UK really costs

Where the numbers come from

• Rent: ONS Price Index of Private Rents, August 2026 (Northern Ireland June 2026). Edinburgh and Glasgow use the Lothian and Greater Glasgow rental areas.
• Council tax: 2026/27 Band B for a two-adult home, including police, fire and parish charges (England: MHCLG table 9; Edinburgh and Glasgow including water and sewerage; Cardiff and Glasgow Band B derived as 7/9 of Band D; Belfast: domestic rates on a £150,000 home).
• Bills: energy £1,723 a year (Ofgem cap, Oct–Dec 2026), water £639 a year (England and Wales average 2026/27), broadband £30.82 (Ofcom), SIM-only £18, groceries £33.63 per person per week (DEFRA Family Food), TV licence £180.
• Transport: London Travelcards (Mar 2026 fares), Bee Network, nBus, MCard, Lothian Ridacard. Cities marked "estimate" use about £80 a month; outside London single bus fares in England are capped at £3 until 31 December 2026 and £2 from 1 January 2027.

Sources: ONS: Private rent and house prices, September 2026 · GOV.UK: Council tax levels in England 2026 to 2027 · Ofgem: price cap from 1 October 2026 · GOV.UK: TV licence fee 2026/27 · Water UK: average bills 2026/27 · DEFRA Family Food · GLA fares decision 2026 · GOV.UK: £3 bus fare cap.