Cost of living · Manchester · 2026
What salary do you need to live in Manchester?
What salary do you need to live in Manchester?
To cover the essentials living alone in Manchester — about £1,810 a month — you need to earn roughly £25,500 a year before tax. To live comfortably, with money left for savings and extras, closer to £36,000. Rent alone is £1,150 a month.
Verified 12 August 2026
To get by £25,500 Covers rent and essentials with little spare
To be comfortable £36,000 Essentials plus room to save and enjoy the city
What it costs to live in Manchester
| Monthly cost | |
|---|---|
| Rent (one-bed) | £1,150 |
| Council tax | £130 |
| Utilities & bills | £175 |
| Transport | £75 |
| Food | £280 |
| Total | £1,810 |
On the £25,500 "get by" salary, your take-home is about £1,823 a month — just covering the £1,810 of essentials.
Sharing changes everything. Splitting rent and bills with a flatmate can cut the salary you need by thousands. Run your own numbers →