Nottingham is one of the world’s most significant cities. It is known for its deep educational roots and is home to important universities like the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University. The city has numerous historical landmarks, including Nottingham Castle, Wollaton Hall, the National Justice Museum, and Newstead Abbey. If you're an international student wondering about the cost of living in Nottingham, this guide is for you.

Life in Nottingham

Nottingham is a student city with a cultural touch and affordable living. Known as a student city, Nottingham features an active nightlife, with Hockley and the Lace Market home to numerous independent bars, restaurants, and music venues. These places are popular among students, while the city has events like the Nottingham Goose Fair that attract students for interaction and socialising.

A significant benefit of Nottingham is its low cost of living. The average rent, bills, life, and everything else for a single individual (not including rent) costs approximately £1,134.48 per month. On the other hand, living in London can go as high as £3,000 a month, making Nottingham’s cost of living much more affordable.

Nottingham's cost of living is still favourable, with an average annual income of approximately twenty-eight to thirty-two thousand pounds. This amount can be subject to changes based on the sector but is usually the same as the national average, as shown in platforms like Glassdoor and PayScale.

Nottingham stands out as a city with a very high standard of living that combines parks, historical places, and modern facilities. Students crowd Wollaton Park, thanks to its vast open spaces crowned by the splendour of Wollaton Hall.

Cost of Living in Nottingham

As previously indicated, the estimated cost of living in Nottingham is approximately £1,134.48 monthly, excluding housing expenses. It’s important to note that individual lifestyle choices and personal circumstances can lead to variances in this figure. Below is a breakdown of estimated living expenses in Nottingham derived from comprehensive aggregate data.

How Much Does Food Cost in Nottingham for Students?

This section lists the average price of some essential food items in Nottingham. The following costs were calculated based on Nottingham's aggregate costs.

How to Save Up in Nottingham?  

Nottingham is known for its cultural scene, historic landmarks, and renowned educational institutions, making it a lively yet relatively affordable city. While it may not be the cheapest option in the UK, it offers a high quality of life, with plenty of green spaces, arts, and entertainment. However, there are plenty of ways to cut costs during your stay in Nottingham. 

Affordable Casita Nottingham Student Accommodation Options

Mansion Place (Most Affordable):

This Nottingham student accommodation option is the cheapest option with its classic non-en-suite. Mansion Place is an 18-minute walk to Central Nottingham, and it enjoys numerous amenities, including on-site laundry, a cinema room, a social area, and Wi-Fi.

Castle Gate Haus (Affordable and close to the Centre):

This property is also one of the most affordable options; it has various rooms, including studios and en-suite and non-en-suite rooms. Castle Gate Haus, the Nottingham accommodation, is only ten minutes walk from Nottingham’s city centre.

Radford Mill (Affordable and close to the Centre):

Being affordable and a 12-minute walk to the city centre, Radford Mill is one of the best options for Nottingham student accommodation.

Cheapest Shopping Brands in Nottingham

To save up in Nottingham, you need to know that Aldi and Lidl still top the list of recommendable grocery stores. Aldi earned the title of the most affordable supermarket, with a 43-item basket retailing at £74.83 in December. Lidl was close by at £76.74. Both stores provide the most essential products at the least amount of resources but do not have the broader stock available in bigger chains. 

In terms of variety, Asda was forever the most cost-effective for buying products beyond the Aldi and Lidl cut. On the other hand, Waitrose was the least cost-effective option, approximately £20 more expensive than Aldi for the same items and therefore not suitable for people with tight budgets. Tesco and Sainsbury’s are positioned in between. They promise a few discounts now and then and loyalty program rewards for more regular customers.

Most Affordable Mode of Transport in Nottingham

In Nottingham, the most affordable mode of transportation is cycling, as the city is equipped with many cycle paths and has a bike scheme through the Nottingham Bikeshare program. With the use of a bike, one saves up, but more importantly, it is a quick and eco-friendly way to navigate through the city. 

Further, Nottingham’s bus network, controlled by Nottingham City Transport (NCT), provides reasonably priced alternatives. A £2 single fare on most routes caps the amount most residents and students need to spend on the bus. This fare cap, effective from October 2022, was supposed to be temporary only with a course, providing relief during the cost-of-living crisis and ensuring every city resident has affordable transport options.

Nottingham VS London and Manchester

When comparing Nottingham to other cities like London and Manchester in terms of affordability, it is clear that Nottingham offers a lower cost of living. London ranks highest for living expenses in the UK, with average monthly costs of around £3,075, including rent.

Furthermore, Manchester is the fourth most expensive city, with about £1,683 monthly living expenses. Conversely, Nottingham is even cheaper, making it attractive to students and young professionals due to lower monthly rent, transport expenses, and the quality of services offered.

Cost of Living in Nottingham VS London

As mentioned, Nottingham offers significantly lower rental and living costs than London, making it a more affordable option for students and residents. The following table has some key living expenses in Nottingham and London. Please note that prices are subject to change.

Cost of Living in Nottingham VS Manchester

The following comparison indicates that Manchester tends to have higher rental costs than Nottingham, while other expenses such as utilities and public transport costs are fairly close between the two cities. Student accommodation is also more affordable in Nottingham. These figures provide a general view, but individual costs can vary. Kindly be aware that prices may vary.

Nottingham is one of the best places to go for quality education. Accessibility, student accommodation, and the choice of educational institutions are other relatively cheap aspects of the city. That said, planning a spending budget is preferable because costs for housing, eating places, and transportation differ. If you need more information about Nottingham student accommodation, you can check our website or contact our helpful, multilingual accommodation expert staff.

You will also find various useful links that will help you get acquainted with the UK and pro tips and guides such as Cost of Living in Australia vs. UK: A Comprehensive Guide, Student Accommodation in the UK vs. Student Housing in the US, How to Apply to a UK University as an International Student, and UK University Interview Tips and Tricks, among other helpful resources.