Cost of Living in Salford 2024
From its fascinating history and vibrant arts scene to its robust job market, Salford is a city in the UK that has a lot to offer its residents and tourists alike. Salford forms an integral part of Greater Manchester, England. The city’s landscape is dotted with an intriguing mix of architectural styles, from the towering 100 Greengate skyscraper to the historic town hall and St Philips Church, culminating in a unique blend of old and new. The metropolitan heart of Salford hums with the rhythm of urban life, while its surrounding towns and villages like Stretford, Bolton, Sale, and Bury – not to mention Eccles, Pendlebury, Swinton, and Walkden – add their own distinctive charm to the wider City of Salford borough.
One crucial aspect to consider when planning your visit or move to Salford is the cost of living. Understanding the expenses associated with housing, transportation, groceries, and entertainment will help you shape your budget and make informed decisions about your lifestyle in this fantastic city. So, let’s take a closer look at what you can expect when it comes to the cost of living in Salford.
In our previous post, we talked about how safe is Salford. You may want to check that out too.
In this post we will be using the GBP since it is the local currency of the United Kingdom.
If you are much familiar with the USD, at the time of writing this post, 1 GBP = 1.24 USD.
Dining Out in Salford
Salford offers a rich dining scene, accommodating a broad spectrum of culinary tastes. For an inexpensive restaurant meal, you’ll likely spend around £11.00. Planning a date night? A three-course meal for two at a mid-range restaurant will set you back about £50.00. On the go? A combo meal at McDonald’s (or an equivalent restaurant) costs around £6.00.
Now, let’s talk about beverages. A domestic draught beer typically costs about £3.40, while an imported beer would set you back about £3.88. A regular cappuccino is priced around £2.64, while a small bottle of Coke or Pepsi costs about £1.10. For those preferring to hydrate, a small bottle of water is about £0.70.
Grocery Shopping in Salford
When it comes to grocery shopping, Salford’s markets provide an array of options. Essentials such as milk (£0.90 per liter), a loaf of fresh white bread (£1.09 for 500g), and a dozen regular eggs (£1.73) are fairly priced. Other staples like rice (£1.00 per kg), local cheese (£4.66 per kg), chicken fillets (£6.00 per kg), and beef round (£7.00 per kg) also offer good value.
Fruit and vegetables are equally affordable. For instance, a kilogram of apples costs around £2.05, while the same amount of bananas is £0.90. Oranges come in at £1.67 per kg, tomatoes at £1.50 per kg, and potatoes at £1.16 per kg. A head of lettuce is a bargain at £0.65.
For those who enjoy a good tipple, a mid-range bottle of wine costs around £6.00, while a half-liter bottle of domestic beer is about £1.66. Imported beer (0.33 liter bottle) is slightly less at £1.50. Smokers should note that a 20-pack of Marlboro cigarettes costs £11.50.
Getting Around Salford: Transportation Costs
Salford boasts an efficient public transportation network. A one-way local transport ticket costs around £3.90, while a regular monthly pass is £50.00. If you prefer taking a taxi, the initial fare is around £2.20, with each kilometer costing approximately £1.15. A one-hour taxi wait is around £12.00. If you drive, expect to pay around £1.55 per liter of gasoline. If you’re considering buying a car, a Volkswagen Golf or a similar model is priced around £17,496.97, while a Toyota Corolla or an equivalent car costs around £22,000.00.
Housing and Utilities Cost in Salford
Housing costs can vary widely, depending on the location and size of the property. On average, renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost you about £1,058.50 per month. If you prefer a quieter life away from the city buzz, the same size apartment outside the city center costs approximately £687.25 per month. For larger families, a three-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost around £2,000.00 per month, while the same size apartment outside the city center is about £1,016.33 per month.
When it comes to utilities, basic costs for electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for an 85m2 apartment add up to roughly £259.70 per month. A minute of prepaid mobile tariff costs about £0.22, while unlimited internet data with a speed of 60 Mbps or more via cable/ADSL costs around £31.75 per month.
Leisure and Entertainment in Salford
Salford offers a myriad of leisure and entertainment options. For fitness enthusiasts, a monthly membership at a local fitness club costs about £19.00. If you’re a cinema lover, an international release movie ticket costs around £10.00.
Childcare and Education in Salford
Childcare costs in Salford can be significant. A full day at a private preschool or kindergarten for one child costs around £650.00 per month. Annual fees for an international primary school are approximately £12,000.00 per child.
Dressing Up in Salford: Clothing and Shoes
For those who enjoy fashion, Salford offers a range of options. A pair of Levi’s 501 or similar jeans costs around £65.33. A summer dress in a chain store like Zara or H&M is about £36.67. Athletic shoes like a mid-range pair of Nikes cost about £63.75, while men’s leather business shoes are around £70.00.
You can get cheaper clothing at Primark. While there are no Primarks in Salford, there is one in neighboring Trafford Park.
Average Salaries and Financing in Salford
After all these expenses, it’s essential to discuss average salaries and financing in Salford. The average monthly net salary (after tax) is around £1,275.00. For those planning to purchase a house, the mortgage interest rate for a 20-year fixed-rate is approximately 4.07%.
Council Tax in Salford
If you are a resident of Salford, you are required to pay council tax by law. However, there are several discounts and exceptions to consider.
Single adults living alone can receive a 25% discount on their council tax bill. This means if you’re the only adult in your home, your council tax will be reduced.
In terms of exceptions, students are not required to pay council tax. If all the residents of a household are full-time students, then the household is exempt from paying council tax. Even in mixed households, where some residents are students and some are not, the students will not be included when counting the number of adults for council tax purposes.
Tourists visiting Salford do not need to worry about the council tax. This tax is not applied to visitors or tourists, as it is a tax on residences, not on individuals directly. It is the responsibility of the property owner or the resident, not the visitor, to pay this tax.
Council tax for residents in Salford is determined based on the valuation band of a property. Properties are grouped into bands based on their value. For properties with an unspecified value (Band A-), the council tax charge is £1,229.73. For properties valued up to £40,000 (Band A), the charge is £1,475.68. Band B properties, with values ranging from £40,001 to £52,000, are charged £1,721.63. Band C, which includes properties valued from £52,001 to £68,000, have a council tax of £1,967.57.
Properties in Band D, valued between £68,001 and £88,000, are charged £2,213.53, while Band E properties, ranging from £88,001 to £120,000 in value, have a council tax of £2,705.41. For Band F properties, valued from £120,001 to £160,000, the tax is £3,197.31. Properties in Band G, valued between £160,001 and £320,000, have a council tax charge of £3,689.21. Finally, properties valued at more than £320,000, falling into Band H, are charged £4,427.06.
| Valuation band | Property value | Council tax charge |
|---|---|---|
| A- | – | £1,229.73 |
| A | Up to £40,000 | £1,475.68 |
| B | £40,001 to £52,000 | £1,721.63 |
| C | £52,001 to £68,000 | £1,967.57 |
| D | £68,001 to £88,000 | £2,213.53 |
| E | £88,001 to £120,000 | £2,705.41 |
| F | £120,001 to £160,000 | £3,197.31 |
| G | £160,001 to £320,000 | £3,689.21 |
| H | More than £320,000 | £4,427.06 |
Closing Thoughts
While the cost of living in Salford can vary greatly depending on your lifestyle and preferences, this guide should provide a comprehensive overview of what to expect when budgeting for life in this vibrant UK city. The data used in this article has been sourced from Numbeo as of 2023.
