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Cost of Living in Chelmsford

Chelmsford, Essex, United Kingdom · Population 115,369

▼ -6% vs United Kingdom average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)£916 ($1,160)
Couple, monthly£1,678 ($2,124)
Family of four, monthly£2,220 ($2,810)

Estimated Prices in Chelmsford

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant£8.06 ($10.20)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range£32.23 ($40.80)per meal
Cappuccino£2.42 ($3.06)each
Monthly groceries (single person)£183 ($231)per month
Monthly public transport pass£29.55 ($37.40)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment£77.89 ($98.60)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)£22.56 ($28.56)per month
Fitness club membership£22.56 ($28.56)per month
Cinema ticket£5.91 ($7.48)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre£545 ($690)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre£379 ($480)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre£1,138 ($1,440)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Chelmsford is £2,449 ($3,100) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of £916 ($1,160) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly £1,191 ($1,508) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (£379 ($480)) represents about 41% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Chelmsford

Chelmsford vs LondonChelmsford vs BirminghamChelmsford vs PortsmouthChelmsford vs SouthamptonChelmsford vs BristolChelmsford vs Glasgow

Nearby Cities

Great Baddow

2 km away · Essex

Billericay

12 km away · Essex

Runwell

12 km away · Essex

South Woodham Ferrers

13 km away · Essex

Witham

13 km away · Essex

Wickford

13 km away · Essex

Maldon

13 km away · Essex

Basildon

17 km away · Essex

Other Major Cities in United Kingdom

London

London, City of · pop. 11,262,000

£1,225 ($1,550) / mo

Birmingham

Birmingham · pop. 2,590,363

£1,059 ($1,341) / mo

Portsmouth

Portsmouth · pop. 855,679

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Southampton

Southampton · pop. 855,569

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Bristol

Bristol, City of · pop. 707,412

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Glasgow

Glasgow City · pop. 626,410

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Manchester

Manchester · pop. 547,627

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Leeds

Leeds · pop. 536,280

£977 ($1,237) / mo

Living in Chelmsford

Chelmsford is one of the key cities in United Kingdom. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is £916 ($1,160), placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around £379 ($480) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to £2,220 ($2,810) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately £1,678 ($2,124) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Chelmsford is £2,449 ($3,100). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least £1,191 ($1,508) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Chelmsford expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated £916 ($1,160) per month in Chelmsford including rent outside the city centre. That is 6% less than the national average for United Kingdom.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Chelmsford?
A net salary of around £1,191 ($1,508) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Chelmsford with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Chelmsford is £2,449 ($3,100).
How much is rent in Chelmsford?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated £545 ($690) per month in the city centre and £379 ($480) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about £1,138 ($1,440).
Is Chelmsford cheaper than United Kingdom on average?
Yes — Chelmsford is estimated to be about 6% cheaper than the United Kingdom average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Chelmsford?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at £183 ($231) in Chelmsford. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about £8 ($10) and a cappuccino runs around £2 ($3).
How do transport costs in Chelmsford compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Chelmsford is estimated at £30 ($37). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Chelmsford are estimates based on United Kingdom national averages adjusted for city size (population 115,369). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.