From a Pint to a Property: How Much Does it Cost to Live in Norwich?

 

Norwich has just been ranked as one of the best places to live in the UK by the Times UK, thanks to its vibrant independent businesses, unique proximity to the broads and coast, and standout community spirited-ness. But we’re here to help you find out answers to arguably the most important question you’ll have about a potential move: how much does it cost to live in Norwich?

*Please note that the following blog is simply an outline of the potential costs of living in Norwich, correct at the time of writing, and is not financial advice.

Cost of renting / buying:

When moving somewhere new for work, it’s not just the work you have to think about; it’s the life you lead around it. One such consideration is the cost of renting or buying a house. According to the Cities Outlook report of 2024, the average price of a home in a city or large town in the UK was £328, 600. In Norwich the average house costs £296, 200, compared to the London average of £692, 000. If you’re looking to rent, according to the to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the mean monthly rent for private renters (from 1st October 2022 to 30th September 2023) was £913 in Norwich. This is less than half the mean when compared to London in the same time frame, which was £1,873. Across the UK, the mean is £994.

Photograph of apartment buildings on a sunny day

Coffee

Coffee is a staple for many people in the UK — according to the British Coffee Association, “In the UK, we now drink approximately 98 million cups of coffee per day”. And Norwich is fast becoming a city of coffee: Norwich’s own Strangers Coffee was recently named amongst the most popular in the UK. Norwich was also named ‘one of best places to find artisan coffee‘. Not only does Norwich have a great selection of fantastic local brewers, it’s also cheaper on average than other major UK cities. According to Numbeo, in London it costs an average of £3.70 per coffee, in Manchester £3.56, and Brighton £3.31. Here in Norwich, the average cappuccino will cost £3.06. With some fantastic spots, such as The Little Red Roaster on Norwich Market, Strangers Coffee, or Buffalo Coffee Brewers, Norwich will always have a place to grab your morning cup. For a full list of coffee shops, head over to our VisitNorwich site here.

 

Lunch

900-year-old Norwich Market houses 189 stalls, with lots of fantastic spots to grab a bite, not to mention all the other fantastic places to be found across Norwich. Unlike other larger cities, all it takes to get across Norwich is a brisk 15-minute walk, yet it is still bustling with unique eateries across the city. If you are working in the city, this means you can quickly head out the office at lunch in search of something delicious. And with all the different and varied places to try, you will never get bored! Compared to London, where a basic lunchtime menu would cost £17, in Norwich the average cost of lunch is £10.

Kofra Coffee Café on the corner of a street

Meal out

Some nights cooking for yourself just doesn’t cut it. Fortunately for the Norwich resident, there’s a host of delicious restaurants ready to take your order. According to Numbeo, a three-course meal for two in Norwich will cost an average of £69, which is £11 cheaper than London. Norwich has a diverse range of restaurants, ensuring that you’ll never be starved for choice.

 

Pint

We’ve all heard of ‘London prices’ especially when talking about a pint at the local pub. In Norwich you’ll find prices much more reasonable, the average pint only setting you back £4.50, compared to the London average of £6.50. Norwich is home to many bars and pubs, where you can try out local beers – some of which might even have been brewed on-site, such as at the Fat Cat Brewery Tap. Norwich has a thriving pub/bar scene, so if you’re ever looking for a drink, there’s always plenty on offer.

People eating food at a restaurant whilst smiling

Gym

Expatistan tells us the average gym experience in Norwich will cost you £38 a month whereas London costs an average of £50. And, like all the great businesses in Norwich, you’re never too far from one, making it extra easy to squeeze in a trip to the gym.

 

Cinema/Theatre

There’s nothing like sitting back and enjoying a good show! Norwich has a great selection of live shows, from the Norwich Theatre to the Playhouse, you’re bound to find a new favourite. If the cinema is more your style, you can head over to riverside for the Odeon, or city centre for the Vue or Cinema City. Expatistan shows us that it costs an average of £15 for two cinema tickets in Norwich; the average is £27 in London. Or, you can find the best seats in the house for a fantastic theatre experience for an average of £72, compared to £128 in London. You can read more about Norwich’s great selection of entertainment, here.

 

Overall, Norwich is over 43% cheaper to live in than London. According to Expatistan, the same standard of living in London – at a cost of £13,000 a year – would cost you £7,353 in Norwich.

We hope that this blog has provided you with an outline of what the cost of living in Norwich might look like.

Please note that information regarding pricing was gathered from Expatistan,Numbeo, and the centreforcities, and was accurate at the time of writing. For how the information was sourced, please refer to the details on their websites.

We’ve mentioned London a lot! If you’re also from London, and would like to know a personal account of moving from London to Norwich, click here to read about Ross, and his decision to WiN.

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