Is Liverpool Expensive For Students?

Liverpool, located in the North West of England, is one of the most affordable cities for students to live in. There are lots of student-friendly activities, meaning you can still have a fun student life while sticking to your budget. 

But, how much does Liverpool student life cost exactly? In this guide, we’ll break down typical student expenses in Liverpool so you can get a realistic idea of what to expect and how to manage your money wisely.

Is Liverpool Expensive Compared to Other UK Cities?

In comparison to London, Oxford, Manchester and Cambridge, Liverpool is considerably more budget-friendly, making it great for students. On average, student living costs in Liverpool are between £900 and £1,350 per month, whereas costs in London are between £1,315 to £2,052 per month. 

Average Monthly Living Costs for Students in Liverpool

Living costs as a student will vary massively from person to person as they are based on your lifestyle, preferences and hobbies. This said, the University of Liverpool states that living expenses in Liverpool may look like: 

  • Transport: £20-£80 monthly
  • Groceries: £150-£400 monthly
  • Entertainment: £40 monthly
  • Mobile phone: £15-£50 monthly
  • Utilities: £50-£200 monthly
  • TV licence: £14.12 per month / £169.50 annually
  • Entertainment and socialising: £50-£200 monthly
  • Study costs: £10-£30 monthly
  • Gym membership: £20 monthly

Cost Of Student Accommodation in Liverpool

The cost of your rent will depend on the type of accommodation you choose. While rent will take up the biggest proportion of your monthly spending, Liverpool offers a wide range of options to suit different needs:

  • University Accommodation: £693- £1,1041.32 per month 
  • Private University-Approved Accommodation: £420-£864 per month
  • Private Luxury Student Accommodation: £440-£620 per month 

💡TIP: PBSA typically includes all utilities, like Stockton Students, which makes it easier for you to predict your monthly expenses.

Best Ways to Save Money on Rent

Ways to cut back on rental costs include sharing with others and living slightly outside of Liverpool City Centre in areas like Kensington, Wavertree, or Smithdown Road. These are popular student areas in Liverpool and are only a short commute away from university campuses.  

Is Food Expensive in Liverpool?

Not at all. Monthly grocery shopping in Liverpool usually comes in between £150-£400 per month, which equates to £37.50-£100 per week, especially if you shop at supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi or Asd, which offer low costs and high value. 

To save food costs as a student, make sure to freeze any fruit or vegetables before they go off, cook meals at home rather than ordering takeaway or eating out and make use of any available student discounts on UNiDAYS.

Transport in Liverpool on a Student Budget

A huge benefit of living in Liverpool as a university student is that it's a very walkable city with everything closely located. This, as well as living close to campus, can massively help to save on transport costs. But, if you do need to get around Liverpool, here are some transportation options:

  • The general bus ride fare costs £2
  • An annual student bus pass costs from £32.50 per month
  • Railcards and student travel discounts can reduce train fares
  • Cycling is another popular and low-cost option (watch out for bike-friendly routes and Voi E-scooters)

Entertainment & Social Life in Liverpool

There are loads of things to do in Liverpool for students, including student nights out, cultural visits, park walks, live music, art exhibitions, restaurants, museum visits, and so much more. Not only that, but some of these activities are free or offer student discounts, which is great when your budget gets tight.

Tuition Fees & Academic Costs

If you’re a UK undergraduate, tuition fees for full-time students are £9,535 per year and £7,145 for part-time students. For full-time international students, fees typically range between £11,400 - £38,000 per year, depending on your course and university.

Tuition Loans, offered by the  Student Loans Company (SLC), are available as financial support to help you cover this expense while at university. You will, however, have to factor into your budgeting materials for your course such as books, printing and other supplies.

So, Is Liverpool Expensive for Students?

No. Liverpool is considered one of the best-value student cities in the UK, with affordable student accommodation, low day-to-day expenses and budget-friendly entertainment options. 

Being a student in Liverpool means that you can make memories and enjoy yourself, without having to go over your budget. It may seem small, but this can cause huge financial struggles for people living in more expensive cities like London and Oxford. 

Affordable Areas for Student Accommodation in Liverpool 

It's common for first-year students to choose to live in Liverpool City Centre while familiarising themselves with their new city, but second and third-year students tend to move a little further out to lower cost areas, like Smithdown Road, Wavertree and Kensington. These popular student areas are a short bus ride or approximately a 30-60 minute walk from Liverpool City Centre. 

Need Help Finding Student Accommodation in Liverpool?

As one of the most affordable cities in the UK, Liverpool has a mix of accommodation options, making it easy for you to find somewhere within your budget. As a student, living in an area that you’re comfortable with makes your student experience much more enjoyable. 

So, if you’re looking for luxury student accommodation in Liverpool, we have many options for you at Stockton Students. Since our establishment in 2013, we have had the privilege of providing trusted student accommodation in Liverpool and Ormskirk that is inclusive of bills, making your student budgeting easier.

Explore our student housing options in Liverpool today, or reach out to our friendly team if you have any questions.