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Cost of Living in Dorchester

Dorchester, Dorset, United Kingdom · Population 20,135

▼ -17% vs United Kingdom average

Single person, monthly (incl. rent)£816 ($1,033)
Couple, monthly£1,492 ($1,888)
Family of four, monthly£1,971 ($2,495)

Estimated Prices in Dorchester

ExpenseEstimated costBasis
Meal at an inexpensive restaurant£7.25 ($9.18)per meal
Three-course meal for two, mid-range£29.01 ($36.72)per meal
Cappuccino£2.18 ($2.75)each
Monthly groceries (single person)£164 ($208)per month
Monthly public transport pass£26.59 ($33.66)per month
Basic utilities for an 85m² apartment£70.10 ($88.74)per month
Internet (60 Mbps, unlimited)£20.31 ($25.70)per month
Fitness club membership£20.31 ($25.70)per month
Cinema ticket£5.32 ($6.73)each
One-bedroom apartment in city centre£478 ($605)per month
One-bedroom apartment outside centre£332 ($421)per month
Three-bedroom apartment in city centre£997 ($1,262)per month

Salary & Budget Planning

The estimated average net salary in Dorchester is £2,204 ($2,790) per month. To live comfortably — covering the full single-person budget of £816 ($1,033) with about 30% left over for savings — you would need a net income of roughly £1,061 ($1,343) per month.

Housing takes the largest share: rent for a one-bedroom outside the centre (£332 ($421)) represents about 41% of the total single-person budget.

Compare Dorchester

Dorchester vs LondonDorchester vs BirminghamDorchester vs PortsmouthDorchester vs SouthamptonDorchester vs BristolDorchester vs Glasgow

Nearby Cities

Upton

9 km away · Dorset

Weymouth

12 km away · Dorset

Blandford Forum

25 km away · Dorset

Sherborne

26 km away · Dorset

Yeovil

29 km away · Somerset

Hamworthy

30 km away · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

Corfe Mullen

30 km away · Dorset

Broadstone

31 km away · Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole

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 Dorchester

Dorchester is one of the key cities in United Kingdom. The estimated monthly cost of living for a single person is £816 ($1,033), placing it below the national average. Housing represents the largest expense, with a one-bedroom apartment outside the city centre costing around £332 ($421) per month.

For families, the estimated budget rises to £1,971 ($2,495) per month, driven mainly by larger housing needs and increased food and transport spending. Couples can expect to spend approximately £1,492 ($1,888) monthly.

The average estimated net salary in Dorchester is £2,204 ($2,790). To maintain a comfortable lifestyle with room for savings, a single person typically needs a net income of at least £1,061 ($1,343) per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dorchester expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated £816 ($1,033) per month in Dorchester including rent outside the city centre. That is 17% less than the national average for United Kingdom.
What salary do you need to live comfortably in Dorchester?
A net salary of around £1,061 ($1,343) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Dorchester with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Dorchester is £2,204 ($2,790).
How much is rent in Dorchester?
A one-bedroom apartment costs an estimated £478 ($605) per month in the city centre and £332 ($421) outside the centre. A three-bedroom in the centre runs about £997 ($1,262).
Is Dorchester cheaper than United Kingdom on average?
Yes — Dorchester is estimated to be about 17% cheaper than the United Kingdom average, making it a relatively affordable option in the country.
What is the cost of groceries in Dorchester?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at £164 ($208) in Dorchester. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about £7 ($9) and a cappuccino runs around £2 ($3).
How do transport costs in Dorchester compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Dorchester is estimated at £27 ($34). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Dorchester are estimates based on United Kingdom national averages adjusted for city size (population 20,135). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.