Cost of Living in Reading for Students

University Living • Last updated: March 11, 2026

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Reading is a large town and borough in Berkshire, England.

Reading is a bustling town with renowned universities, opportunities, and vibrant culture.

The University of Reading alone is home to over 5,000 international students.

Is Reading affordable to live in?

According to Reading Chronicle, Reading is of the top 3 affordable places with a low cost of living in the UK. The cost of living in Reading for a single person is £1,020 per month.

For more personalized information, use our cost of living calculator to estimate your desired area’s average cost of living.

Is Reading a safe city for Students?

According to Office for National Statistics, it is successfully known as UK’s safest city to live and stay.

Before we list the details of the cost of living in Reading, let’s summarize its cost.

Expenses	Cost (Average)
Average Tuition Fees	£22,350 to £30,000 / Year
Accommodation	£475 – £1,100 / Month
Transportation	£100 / Month

Costs of Tuition Fees

Tuition fees will not be part of the cost of living in Reading. The fee will depend upon your selection of your course and university. The table is only providing an average fee for students.

Undergraduate Tuition Fee	Post-Graduate Tuition Fee
£22,350 to £30,000 / Year	£23,000 to £35,000 / Year

Student Accommodation Costs

There are three types of student accommodation in Reading. They are on-campus, off-campus housing. Each type of housing varies in price, facilities, and offers. These are the three types of student accommodations in Reading:

Student Housing

This type of student housing is built for students and tailored to meet their needs. It offers amenities, study areas, spacious rooms, a bathroom, a kitchen etc. You can choose from a wide range of rooms as per your needs.

Most of the accommodations are at a distance of under 3 miles. While the ones outside of the city center are upto 20 miles.

Student Housing	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	£475 – £565 / Month

Private Apartment

Private apartments vary in price, type, facilities, etc. Students can rent an apartment alone or with a friend. It also comes inclusive of utility bills. It is located off-campus, but close by.

Apartment	Price
Private	£895 – £1,100 / Month

University Halls

University Hall is within the premises of the universities. They offer a wide range of rooms for students studying at the university.

University Halls	Price
Ensuite/ Studio	£400 – £800 / Month

[Read Also: Top 5 Student Accommodations in Reading]

Food

While meal prices can differ in Reading, eating outside is always expensive. If you buy groceries, on average, it will cost you £200 per month. While eating outside even for a day will cost you a lot, even eating in an inexpensive place will cost £22.

Utility Bills

The utility bills for student housing will be in your rent. University Halls are also starting to provide this facility, but please re-check on the same. Some are not providing this facility.

Transportation

Buses are the best mode of transport to get around the city. While trains are useful to get out of Reading. Boost tickets give you £2.25 for a single trip and £70.00 for monthly pass.