With its small-town feel, Loughborough is perfectly positioned between the possibilities of a big city and the serenity of a small town. It’s one of the best options you can find in Leicestershire, with plenty to offer within its “big” borders.
This quaint city in the East Midlands region of England has a population of approximately 135,000. The town has been awarded various accolades over time, including “Britain’s Best Place to Live” by The Sunday Times in 2018.
Loughborough also ranked as one of Britain’s safest places to live in 2017 with an average crime rate that was lower than that of Cambridge, Oxford, or Reading.
Loughborough Has Some of the Cheapest Houses in the UK
Loughborough has been voted the cheapest city for buying a house in the UK. Houses cost an average of £110,000, which is a fraction of the price in most other cities. In Loughborough, you can find beautiful houses with gardens and parks all around. You can also enjoy the luxury of living close to a number of amenities, including shops, pubs, and restaurants.
The Cost of Living in Loughborough is Lower than Most Other Cities in the UK
You get more for your money and can enjoy a higher standard of living in Loughborough. The cost of housing is lower than in other parts of the UK, and has less traffic, which saves you time and makes it easier getting around.
Loughborough Offers Cheaper Groceries than Other Cities in the UK
The cost of living in Loughborough is much lower than in London. Groceries are cheaper as well. A new supermarket in Loughborough opened in 2021 that costs a quarter of normal prices at Asda and Tesco.
A discount food store in Loughborough opened in 2021 that costs a quarter of normal prices at Asda and Tesco. Its mission is to help people become less dependent on food banks in Loughborough. Foodbank users are eligible for the membership required by the store.
What is the UK cost of Living Index?
Summary of the cost of living in the United Kingdom
- The estimated monthly cost for a family of four is 2,270.78£ without rent.
- The estimated monthly cost for a single person is 652.45£ without rent.
- On average, the United Kingdom has a 1.75% lower cost of living than the United States.
- The cost of renting in the United Kingdom is, on average, 25.17 percent lower than in the United States.
Cost of Living in the UK in USD
- The estimated monthly cost for a family of four is $3,070.16 without rent.
- The estimated monthly cost for a single person is $882.13 without rent.
Internet and Utility Expenses
Here are the average costs for internet and utilities in Loughborough.
- Utility cost one person, electricity, heating, water, etc. is $133.
- Utility cost for a family, electricity, heating, water, etc. is $203.
- Internet cost for 50 Mbps – 1-month unlimited access is $43.5.
Cost of Transportation (cost of buying cars and public transportation)
Here are the costs for local transportation
- The local transport ticket is $3.72.
- The monthly local transport ticket is $82.9.
- A taxi ride of about 8 km, or 5 mi, is $17.7.
- On average, a person living in the UK spends £478.70 per month on their vehicle when they finance it or £283.90 without finance.
Groceries / Cost of Food
Cost of typical groceries in Loughborough
Milk, 1 L or 1 qt $1.24
Bread, 0.5 kg or 1.1 lb $1.37
Rice, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $1.55
Eggs, x12 $2.78
Cheese, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $8.27
Chicken Breast, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $8.01
Round Steak, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $10.7
Apples, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $2.55
Banana, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $1.57
Oranges, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $2.42
Tomato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $2.54
Potato, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $1.63
Onion, 1 kg or 2.2 lb $1.42
Water, 1 L or 1 qt $0.92
How much is a Coke in Loughborough?
The cost of a 2 L(67.6 fl oz) bottle of Coca-Cola or Pepsi is $2.68.
Dining Out in Loughborough
- The average cost of Dinner for 2 in a Restaurant is $64.60.
- The average cost of lunch (per person) is $17.
- A fast-food meal at McDonald’s or similar is $7.98.
- A beer in a pub, 0.5 L (16.9 fl oz), is $4.87.
- A Pepsi / Coke, 0.5 L or 16.9 fl oz, is $1.85.
- A Cappuccino average cost is $3.77.
Clothing cost
- Brand Jeans – $78
- Brand Sneakers – $84
Childcare cost
- Average cost of Daycare or Preschool, 1 month $1197
- Cost of International Primary School, 1 year $15,823
Rent in the UK
- Average 1 bedroom apartment in city Center, 40 m2 (430 ft2) $862
- Cheap 1 bedroom apartment, 40 m2 (430 ft2) $726
- Average 3 bedroom apartment in city Center, 80 m2 (860 ft2) $1569
- Cheap 3 bedroom apartment, 80 m2 (860 ft2) $1295
Entertainment cost (how much to go to a movie, etc)
- Cost for Cinema Ticket, 1 person $12.70
- Gym Membership, 1 month $42.60
Healthcare cost
Is there free healthcare in the UK?
About 58 million permanent residents of the United Kingdom have access to public healthcare. The cost of health insurance is borne by general taxes. Around 18% of a citizen’s income tax goes towards healthcare, which represents about 4.5% of the average citizen’s income.
Is healthcare free in the UK for foreigners?
Legal residents of the United Kingdom are entitled to free NHS healthcare. The system is open to everyone, regardless of citizenship or employment. There are also a number of reciprocal healthcare agreements between the UK and other countries, such as New Zealand and Australia.
Sample Budget (How Much Would One Spend in a Month?)
The average cost of living in Loughborough is $1604.
The median after-tax salary is $2588, which is enough to cover living expenses for 1.6 months.
Cost of living breakdown:
- Total with rent (1 person) $1604 (Family of 4) $3913
- Without rent (1 person) $674 (Family of 4) $2316
- Rent & Utilities (1 person) $930 (Family of 4) $1597
- Food (1 person) $451 (Family of 4) $1170
- Transport (1 person) $71.6 (Family of 4) $190
- Monthly salary after tax $2588
Real Estate Prices in the UK
The housing boom in the UK boosted house prices by over 10% in 2021, the strongest growth rate in 15 years.
As the UK’s nations started the first in a series of lockdowns, prices are now 16% higher than they were before the pandemic struck in early 2020.
How much does a house cost in the UK?
As of October 2021, the average house price in the UK was approximately $364,161 (268,349 £), up from $330,543 (243,576 £) a year ago. This was some of the highest house price change registered.
Taxes
Despite one of the world’s longest sets of tax codes, many sources characterize the UK tax system as complex. However, from a macro perspective, the UK tax system is relatively straightforward for most ex-pats. As a resident or a retiree living in the UK, you are generally liable for UK taxes. If you are taxed, it will depend on your tax residency status and individual circumstances.
Income Tax
- Personal Allowance – Up to $17,056 (£12,570) – 0%
- Basic rate $17,058 (£12,571) to $68213 (£50,270) – 20%
- Higher rate $68,214 (£50,271) to $203,541 (£150,000) – 40%
- Additional rate over $203,541 (£150,000) – 45%
VAT Tax
Approximately half of the items households purchase in the UK are subject to the standard rate of VAT (Value-Added Tax), which is 20%. For some things, such as vehicle seats for children and energy for the house, there is a 5% discount.
Real Estate and Property Tax
The rate is 2 percent for properties priced between 125,001 pounds and 250,000 pounds; 5 percent for properties priced between 2501 pounds and 925,000 pounds; 10 percent for properties priced between 25,001 pounds and 1.5 million pounds; and 12 percent for properties priced at 1.5 million pounds and above. First-time homebuyers can qualify for a variety of tax breaks.
Goods and Service Tax
Most goods and services in the UK are subject to the standard 20% VAT. Children’s car seats and energy-saving materials for the home are some examples of goods and services that are eligible for a reduced rate of 5% VAT. Most food items and children’s clothes are zero-rated goods and services.
Retirement Tax
Your retirement income is still subject to taxation. The personal allowance is the same as before – you can receive up to $17,056 (£12,570) in the 2021/22 tax year and not be taxed on it. You can find the current income tax rates at GOV.UK. Additional tax allowances may also apply.
Inheritance Laws in the UK
It is the law in England as well as Wales that if a person dies and is not survived by a spouse or civil partner, the estate is divided equally among the surviving children or other descendants. A child’s inheritance will be divided between his or her children when their father or mother dies.
How much can you inherit without paying taxes in 2020?
The official estate and gift tax limits for 2020: Individuals will be able to exempt $11,58 million from estate and gift taxes, an increase from $11.4 million.
The Average Income in the UK
The average salary for the UK in 2021 will be $35,274 (£25,971), which represents a 0.3% increase from 2020. The average annual salary of full-time employed males is 18.05% higher than the average annual salary of full-time employed females. Male CEOs earn on average $33,954 (£24,999) more than female CEOs every year, the largest financial gap among all occupations.
Immigration Costs
Visit visa – long up to 2 years – $490 (£361)
Visit visa – long up to 5 years – $889 (£655)
Visit visa – long up to 10 years – $1116 (£822)
Visiting academic – more than 6 months but no more than 12 months $258. (£190)
Can I Use USD in the UK?
The pound sterling is the currency in the UK. U.S. dollars will not be accepted. It is best to withdraw sterling from a cash machine with your plastic when you arrive.
How Much Cash Can I Bring into the UK?
There is no limit to how much money you can bring into the UK.
How Much to Live Comfortably in the UK?
With £30,000 per year to spend on accommodation, general expenses, and leisure activities, you will be able to live a comfortable lifestyle in one of the most expensive countries in the world.
How Much Do You Need to Retire in the UK?
A general rule of thumb is to have 20 to 25 times your retirement expenses. Therefore, if you spend $40,746 (£30,000) a year on pensions, investments, and savings, you will need to save $814,935 (£600,000) – $101,8668 (£750,000) to retire.
Loughborough University Was Voted the Best Sports University in the World in 2017-2018
In the QS World University Ranking Loughborough was ranked number one in all sports-related subjects compared to other worldwide universities.
The University is known for its excellent track record in producing professional athletes and Olympians.
Part of the reason for their success is due to the world-class sports facilities. In addition to high-quality gyms, rugby fields, football pitches, cricket pitches, athletics facilities, and running tracks, they also have two beautiful Olympic size swimming pools on campus.
Loughborough University has seen the most sizeable increase in students from abroad in its 130-year-history.
British international students, who otherwise might have come to study in the United States, Canada, or Australia, are responding to uncertainty about their future opportunities in those countries by turning to Loughborough University.
World-Class Higher Education for a Diverse World
Loughborough Announced Record Number of International Students exceeded the 130-year history since its founding. They currently have more than 17,800 students from over 130 different countries/regions.
It’s been recognized as a popular destination for foreign international students because Britain is one of the few European countries where native speakers offer English native support services. Higher education institutions across Britain launched a campaign for Brexit urging foreign and British students not to leave but to go and study at home. This campaign seems to be working.
A More Multicultural Population in Loughborough
The population in Loughborough is becoming more diverse. In 1841, the population was around 7,000 people and only 1% of them were from a minority ethnic group. In 2001, that figure rose to 4%. In 2011 it rose to 8%. This is because of the increase in foreign students coming to study at Loughborough University.
