Cost of Living in Birmingham

Still, haven’t decided whether you should move to Birmingham yet? Maybe you have missed our article about why you should consider Birmingham for your new hometown. There are many pros about relocating here, but the one thing that is a deal-breaker for most people is the price tag that comes with everything. So, what is the cost of living in Birmingham and can you deal with it?

Job opportunities and the average salary in Birmingham

If you are planning to live in Birmingham you will most likely work there as well. Finding a job won’t be too much of a problem, especially if you are working in manufacturing, or if you are an engineer. However, Birmingham has a lot more to offer and you will surely find employment.

The average salary in this part of the UK is £30,000.

Average Rent in Birmingham

The rent price depends on the type of property and its location. We are going to share with you some average prices, upon which you can make rough calculations of your budget.

Average renting prices:

apartments in Birmingham – £800 – £850
houses in Birmingham – £1000 – £1100

One of the determining price factors for properties of different sizes is the number of bedrooms.

Here are the average rents regarding the number of bedrooms:

One – £650
Two – £920
Three – £900
Four – £1050
Five – £1400

Source: Home

*You can see that your best bet would be sharing a three-bedroom property with close friends if you are living alone.

When it is time for you to settle for good you can browse the property market.

House prices in Birmingham

Houses can be rather expensive in some places, usually the family-friendly areas [Link to the post about areas] with lots of parks and good schools. That is somewhat expected. However, when you draw the line the prices are still lower than those in London.

The average property price is estimated at around £200,000.
The average price for a terraced house in Birmingham is £160,000.

Source: Zoopla

Those estimates point towards a slight decrease in value (around 3% compared to prices from last year), which makes it a perfect time for purchase.

Cost of utility bills

Utility bills will largely depend on the size of the property, and/or the size of your family. Pay attention to the Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) if you are renting. You can expect higher energy bills if the EPC value is low. Use this in your favour when negotiating your rent.

When you are buying a property such readings will help you decide whether or not to invest in insulation materials, better appliances and so on.

If you are living on your own in a small apartment, the utility bills will cost you around £90. If you are living with a friend or partner in a slightly bigger apartment, roughly 80 m2, the utility bills will be between £160 – £180. This includes energy, heating/cooling, water and your council tax.

Internet will set you back approximately £30/month for a standard cable/ADSL connection, depending on the provider. You can always try and search for a reliable Wi-Fi connection around you to cut some expenses before signing a contract with a broadband provider.

Takeaways

Living in the city centre will not only increase your expenses, but it is also more dangerous.
When choosing a property to buy or rent, consider transportation expenses. See if you can travel by boat and whether it is faster for you.
There are a lot of public Wi-Fi networks, so you may cut broadband from your list of expenses.
Birmingham is a great city to purchase a property in, so you may want to get ahead by buying one in a more family-friendly area right from the beginning.

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Do you have anything to share? Any trick on how to save some money in Birmingham will be most welcome in the comment section below. Thank you!

Image source: depositphotos / tlorna

Posted in Moving and Packing Tips