Cost of living · Bristol · 2026
What salary do you need to live in Bristol?
What salary do you need to live in Bristol?
To cover the essentials living alone in Bristol — about £1,985 a month — you need to earn roughly £28,000 a year before tax. To live comfortably, with money left for savings and extras, closer to £40,000. Rent alone is £1,300 a month.
Verified 12 August 2026
To get by £28,000 Covers rent and essentials with little spare
To be comfortable £40,000 Essentials plus room to save and enjoy the city
What it costs to live in Bristol
| Monthly cost | |
|---|---|
| Rent (one-bed) | £1,300 |
| Council tax | £140 |
| Utilities & bills | £180 |
| Transport | £75 |
| Food | £290 |
| Total | £1,985 |
On the £28,000 "get by" salary, your take-home is about £1,973 a month — just covering the £1,985 of essentials.
Sharing changes everything. Splitting rent and bills with a flatmate can cut the salary you need by thousands. Run your own numbers →