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Cost of Living in Preston

Preston, Lancashire, United Kingdom · Population 141,801

▼ -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 Preston

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 Preston 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 Preston

Preston vs LondonPreston vs BirminghamPreston vs PortsmouthPreston vs SouthamptonPreston vs BristolPreston vs Glasgow

Nearby Cities

Fulwood

6 km away · Lancashire

Penwortham

10 km away · Lancashire

Bamber Bridge

12 km away · Lancashire

Leyland

16 km away · Lancashire

Poulton le Fylde

17 km away · Lancashire

Thornton

18 km away · Lancashire

Blackburn

19 km away · Blackburn with Darwen

Euxton

19 km away · Lancashire

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 Preston

Preston 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 Preston 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 Preston expensive to live in?
A single person needs an estimated £916 ($1,160) per month in Preston 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 Preston?
A net salary of around £1,191 ($1,508) per month lets a single person cover all estimated expenses in Preston with roughly 30% left for savings. The estimated average net salary in Preston is £2,449 ($3,100).
How much is rent in Preston?
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 Preston cheaper than United Kingdom on average?
Yes — Preston 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 Preston?
Monthly groceries for one person are estimated at £183 ($231) in Preston. A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs about £8 ($10) and a cappuccino runs around £2 ($3).
How do transport costs in Preston compare?
A monthly public transport pass in Preston is estimated at £30 ($37). Transport makes up a small share of the total budget compared to housing and food.
Figures for Preston are estimates based on United Kingdom national averages adjusted for city size (population 141,801). Last model update: July 2026. How we calculate.