UK living costs
Information about the costs of living in the UK.
Cost of living in the UK
Whilst Sheffield is one of the largest cities in the UK, the cost of living here is relatively cheap, see cost of living comparison website Expatisan. Nevertheless, there are a number of key expenses that all UK residents can typically expect to pay detailed below.
Council tax
Every household in England and Wales must pay council tax to covers the cost of public services such as rubbish and recycling collection, street lighting, libraries, police and fire services.
Council tax applied to all domestic properties including houses, bungalows, flats maisonettes, mobile homes and houseboats whether they are owned or rented. How much you pay will depend on the valuation band of the property you are living.
You must let your local council know that you have moved in to a property, and how many people live there. Individuals living on their own may be eligible for a single person discount. There is a variety of ways to pay, including by monthly direct debit, by cheque, or at the post office.
Further information about rates of council tax and methods of payment is available on the council's website along with information about rubbish and recycling.
Utility bills
In addition to accommodation and council tax, UK residents will also pay for some or all of the following:
- Water
- Gas and electricity
- Household insurance
- TV licence
- Broadband
You should check your tenancy agreement to see if any of these bills are included in your rent.
While some bills are fixed nationally, or by property type, others vary depending upon supplier and/or volume of usage which you as the customer chose.
Gas and electricity
Many homes in the UK are heated by gas boilers (gas central heating) or by electric radiators. Due to the often unfavourable weather in Great Britain, heating or gas charges can be the largest utility bill after rent and council tax.
The cost of gas and electricity in the UK varies from company to company.
Gas and electricity companies are very competitive and you may be able to save a considerable amount of money by changing supplier. There are a number of websites that allow you to compare prices:
The best deals are often ones which you pay monthly by direct debit, straight from your bank account. In most homes, the gas and electricity supply is measured through meters.
You should ask your landlord where the meters are if you cannot find them - you will need to read the meters when you move in and give your meter readings to your supplier so they can work out how much you owe.
Depending on your chosen payment type you will need to provide your meter reading periodically to your supplier so they can bill you for your usage. Often you can upload gas and electricity meter readings directly to the companies’ websites if you register with them online.
Otherwise a member of staff from your supplier will come out to check your meter and they will require access.
Groceries
A wide range of grocery shopping options are available in Sheffield, including market stalls, small shops, and large supermarkets. A number of supermarkets are located on or close to the main University campus which are marked on the main campus map.
A full list of all supermarkets in Sheffield is available online. Some of these supermarkets will provide an option to shop online with home delivery for a small fee.
There are also a number of international food stores throughout the city. Your colleagues or neighbours will be able to advise you about these.
TV licences
If you use a television in the UK, regardless of whether you brought it with you or purchased it in this country, you will be required by law to purchase a television licence to be able to watch it. The same law applies if you watch television programmes on your computer. More information can be found at TV licensing.
Telephone lines and broadband
To set up an internet connection in most cases you need to have a working landline telephone connection. It can take up to two weeks to be connected to a telephone line.
Landline telephones can also be obtained from a number of suppliers including some broadband suppliers and you may be able to have a package from one of them.
Once connected, you may wish to choose a broadband internet provider and apply for their service. To see UK providers and their packages, visit: Broadband. The availability of Broadband suppliers is dependent on where you live.
Insurance
It is advisable to insure your belongings against loss, theft, accidental damage and fire. If you are renting a property or buying a property with a mortgage, it is likely that a condition of the lease/mortgage is that you to have both building and/or house contents insurance. It is therefore advisable to make a list of everything you bring to the UK for such insurance purposes.
Insurance policies vary considerably therefore it is often worth obtaining several quotes and comparing prices before purchasing one. Price comparison websites are available including comparethemarket.com and gocompare.com.
Please note that if you need to make a claim on your property insurance policy you will need to inform the police before your claim can be processed.
Mobile phones
You can purchase mobile phones from high street shops on arrival in the UK. There are a variety of contract types as well as pay as you go sim cards.
An internet search of mobile phone shops in Sheffield will bring up local mobile phone shops. Internet websites will be able to provide further information about tariffs and deals available.
Non-essential costs
Other expenses to consider might be going out and socialising. There are many restaurants and eateries across the cities. Depending on where you dine a meal for two can cost anything from £10 to over £100.