Cost of living · Cambridge · 2026
What salary do you need to live in Cambridge?
What salary do you need to live in Cambridge?
To cover the essentials living alone in Cambridge — about £2,035 a month — you need to earn roughly £29,000 a year before tax. To live comfortably, with money left for savings and extras, closer to £41,000. Rent alone is £1,350 a month.
Verified 12 August 2026
To get by £29,000 Covers rent and essentials with little spare
To be comfortable £41,000 Essentials plus room to save and enjoy the city
What it costs to live in Cambridge
| Monthly cost | |
|---|---|
| Rent (one-bed) | £1,350 |
| Council tax | £140 |
| Utilities & bills | £180 |
| Transport | £70 |
| Food | £295 |
| Total | £2,035 |
On the £29,000 "get by" salary, your take-home is about £2,033 a month — just covering the £2,035 of essentials.
Sharing changes everything. Splitting rent and bills with a flatmate can cut the salary you need by thousands. Run your own numbers →