Cost of Living in Leeds for Students, UK 2025

The city that earned the most famous nickname, “The Workshop Of the World” emerged as the powerhouse of the industry in the 19th century. The city of Leeds is known to play an important role in the Industrial Revolution that drove economic growth with the production of textile mills, warehouses and factories. When it comes to being a student destination, Leeds is home to The University Of Leeds, a part of the Russell Group of leading universities. Known as the unofficial capital of Yorkshire, it is a city at the heart of action, cultural energy and a space that is bursting with life and energy. The cost of living in Leeds for students falls under the price bracket of around £1,300 – £1,500/INR 1,40,000 to 1,61,500 per month, tentatively. This article below will help students understand the cost of living in Leeds with a breakdown of costs with explained expenses in every factor.

Every year, over 45,000 students (including over 8000 international students) enroll at Leeds’ five universities, namely:

1.     The University of Leeds
2.     Leeds Beckett University
3.     Leeds Trinity University
4.     Leeds Arts University
5.     Leeds College of Music

Not only is Leeds student-friendly in terms of its education & social life, but it also has a large and pleasant global community, making it an easy second home. Leeds University accommodation is affordable for international students as compared to cities like London. It is advised that students budget between £1,566 and £1,700 per month in order to live comfortably in the city. Read the article to deep-dive into the individual expenses incurred when living in Leeds as a student.

Cost of Living In Leeds: An Overview 

For a student to successfully navigate their life in Leeds or any other destination in the UK, understanding where the majority of their bucks could go is very crucial. The cost of living in Leeds is a combination of various factors such as Accommodation, Utilities, Groceries, Internet and Phone plans that enables them to live a comfortable and elevated lifestyle. This overview in the way of a diagram will help you get a clearer picture of cost distribution for Leeds.

Below Is a Breakdown of the Cost of Living in the Leeds for Indian Students

*The accommodation costs are dynamic in nature and are based on property availability

Leeds Accommodation

Note – Student housing is budget-friendly as it covers utilities, which is priced at £220 to £280 per month. That is around 10-15% of total living costs.

Cost Of Accommodation In Leeds:

It’s no surprise that one of the most crucial elements in your spending plan is lodging. As we all know, living in the north of England is significantly less expensive than living in the south. As a result, when trying to compare to southern cities of the UK, student accommodation in Leeds is more affordable. If you plan to live in Leeds university student housing close to the university, your weekly expenses, including utility costs, will be around £150-£300. The rent will decrease significantly as you move further away from the college.

However, with PBSA, you can also save a lot of money by taking advantage of free onsite services such as daily meals, laundry, gym, cleaning services, gaming, and the internet. The weekly cost of living in Leeds (private renting) is around £90. However, if you share an apartment, you can save even more money on rent and food.

Basic Living Cost in Leed:

Nobody can survive without food, electricity, clothing, toiletries, and other necessities. All of this comes at a cost. The cost of living in Leeds is determined by your lifestyle. For example, if you shop for groceries from a nearby grocery store and cook your own meals, your weekly expenses will range between £20 and £50. However, a night’s dinner with friends at a posh restaurant will set you back at around £11.

Internet and Phone Bills:

Easy internet access is a current requirement in everyone’s life, whether you access the web for coursework, join conference calls, upload photos to social media, or binge-watch Netflix on weekends. A weekly internet package in the cost of living in Leeds is around £4.50, which is significantly less than the national average of £5.36.

Furthermore, loneliness becomes a part of life for students studying abroad. These difficult times will be made easier if you keep in touch with your family and friends back home using a global SIM card. While the phone bill in other cities is around £8.44 per week, it is less than that in Leeds, with an estimated cost of around £7.72 per week.

Cost Of Education In Leeds

The fact that Leeds University can be distinguished under an umbrella of the most prestigious universities, including the University of Leeds and Leeds Beckett University, that offers a distinctive range of educational programmes. Particularly at the Masters level, the range of specialisation is open to various fields of interest – be it sports management, business analytics or creative fields such as Marketing and Advertising as well. This makes it a versatile option for students to dive into, and find their suitable gig for the future. That being said, the cost of education in Leeds varies significantly depending on the institution and programme chosen. The cost breakdown is in the table below:

Cost of Transportation In Leeds:

All roads lead you home and (to your university). With excellent connectivity routes and multiple transport options in Leeds, students can make it in time to various destinations with ease. The cost of transportation in Leeds ranges from £1 to £86/INR 107 to 9,236, with a vast network of buses and trains that run from 5am to 11pm, students can navigate and get to various parts of the UK.

Cost Of Food In Leeds

The culinary scene in the whole of the UK is what makes it a student-favoured destination. Restaurants, bars and pop-ups stalls are catered to the varied tastes of the residents residing, mostly Indian which makes it highly adaptable for students to find their perfect spot in Leeds. Cuisines in Leeds include British, Indian, Continental (cannot forget the classic fish and chips duo), great breweries, Chinese, French and multiple fine dining options. That being said, the cost of food in Leeds can vary from £6 to £100/INR 644 to 10,741 as per the choices students make in their entire student life.

Cost Of Groceries In Leeds:

A supermarket run is always fun, especially when you find your favourite chips and dips as well as beers and ice cream on display. This opens up options of meals that students can experiment with and creates delicious dishes everyday. But when you’re on a budget you need to be careful and meal-plan well in advance so you don’t over-purchase while on whim. The table below will help students understand the cost of groceries in Leeds, leading to a sustainable and healthy life.

Cost of Utilities in Leeds:

Comfort and connectivity are the foundation of any life well lived. For students even more-so these factors are essential, when it comes to being on the top of their classes at university, managing work and study time and when it comes to delivering updates to family back home. The cost of utilities include your basic utilities and internet that students need to expense for every month. The table below shows the cost breakdown for the same:

Cost Of Leisure and Fitness In Leeds:

Maintaining a healthy heart rate whether you’re killing it on field, or running on the treadmills, or even watching a horror movie where you cannot help but cry and scream at, is essential to living a happy and exciting student life in Leeds. Investing in one’s health and fitness is an essential factor for any destination to provide to their residents. Students should take full advantage of these amenities. The table below provides the cost of leisure and fitness in Leeds:

Benefits Of Living In Leeds:

• Leeds has a vibrant cultural landscape that includes a diverse selection of art galleries, museums, theaters, and music venues, giving enough possibilities for enjoyment and discovery.
• Leeds has a lower cost of living than other major UK cities, making it an appealing alternative for students, young professionals, and families.
• The city is home to prestigious institutions and colleges that provide high-quality education and research opportunities in a variety of areas.
• Leeds has plenty of parks, green areas, and natural reserves, allowing inhabitants to engage in outdoor activities, leisurely walks, and relaxation.
• The city is noted for its diversified culinary scene, which includes everything from traditional British cuisine to international delicacies, as well as a vast selection of restaurants, cafés, and street food markets to suit every taste.

Minimum Wage In Leeds Vs Other Places

The minimum wage in Leeds is set to increase significantly in April 2025, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving wages in line with the rising cost of living. The new rates will include the National Living Wage for those aged 21 and over, which is expected to rise to between £11.82 and £12.39/INR 1,260 and 1,320 per hour. This change aims to ensure fair compensation for workers while considering the impact on businesses and the economy.

Comparatively, the current minimum wage rates for April 2024 are as follows:

• National Living Wage (21 and over): £11.44/INR 1,224
• 18-20 Year Old Rate: £8.60/INR 920
• 16-17 Year Old Rate: £6.40/INR 683
• Apprentice Rate: £6.40/INR 683

The cost of living in Leeds for students offers a balanced mix of affordability and urban amenities, making it an attractive option for youngsters and professionals. With average monthly expenses ranging from £2,350/INR 249,525 for individuals, Leeds remains significantly cheaper than cities like London, with housing, groceries, and transportation costs more manageable. Platforms such as UniAcco help reduce these expenses even more with student-friendly and cost-effective apartments and more. Careful budgeting allows students to enjoy the vibrant culture and opportunities the city offers without excessive financial strain.

FAQs on Cost of Living in Leeds

1. Is it expensive to live in Leeds?

Leeds is listed as the 20th most expensive city to live in the UK on the list of all cities.

2. Is Leeds a cheap place to live?

Although it is still among the most costly in Northern England, accommodation in Leeds is undoubtedly less expensive than in cities like London and Edinburgh.

3. Is Leeds a good place to live?

Yes, Leeds is a nice place to live. The city is the largest legal and financial hub in the nation, and Leeds Central Station is the third busiest station nationwide. This all helps to create a vibrant metropolis where the incredible variety of venues to eat, drink, play, and shop demonstrates the creativity of the populace. Therefore, leeds is considered as a good place to live.

4. Is Leeds a friendly city?

Locals in Leeds are kind and pleased to be residents. Leeds truly has something to offer everyone, whether you like to shop, take in culture or history, play sports, or just enjoy a good night out.

Conclusion:

Savings planning is critical for an international student with restricted financial aid. Unlike most cities in the UK, Leeds provides students with a cost-effective yet comfortable lifestyle.

PS: If there’s anything more you’d like us to know about. Add it to the comments section!

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