The Ultimate Guide to Student Cost of Living in Liverpool

Liverpool is a growing and thriving city, but why choose to live in Liverpool as a student? Located in the North-West of England, Liverpool is a popular city for national and international students, making it multicultural and diverse. 

According to TimeOut, Liverpool is the 7th best city in the world, which is attractive for students looking to meet new people, make new memories and have new experiences. 

Liverpool is also home to the University of Liverpool, an award-winning university ranked #160 globally. It’s a member of the Russell Group and is recognised throughout the world for its commitment to excellence. 

Not only does Liverpool offer students many benefits, it also has a relatively cheaper cost of living compared to other UK cities. Read on to learn more.

Costs of Tuition Fees in Liverpool

For UK students interested in starting a full-time, part-time or accelerated undergraduate degree course in Liverpool, the undergraduate tuition fees, set by Student Finance England for 2025/2026 are:

  • £9,535 for full-time students 
  • £7,145 for part-time students 
  • £11,440 for accelerated degrees 

Full-time students will have higher amounts of study time and will be required to dedicate most of their time to their studies. A part-time student will have significantly less study time and is usually able to balance a part-time job easily.

An accelerated degree student will have more teaching weeks per year, allowing them to complete a traditional degree in a quicker timeframe. 

Student Accommodation Costs in Liverpool

Student halls and private student accommodation are considered the two main types of student accommodation for university students. These differ slightly to give you options that best suit your budget and lifestyle preferences. 

Student Halls 

Student halls are a type of purpose-built student accommodation that is a popular choice for first-year students.

Student halls typically offer larger social spaces, security, and all-inclusive bills, which can be beneficial for students with a lower budget or who want an easy way to socialise and meet new people. 

The average monthly rent for student halls in Liverpool is between £356 and £840 per person (£89 and £210 per week). 

Private Student Accommodation 

Private student accommodation is another type of purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) that’s designed for students. However, private accommodation tends to be quieter than student halls and you’ll usually be sharing with fewer people, meaning you’ll have more privacy.

The average monthly rent for private student accommodation in Liverpool is around £356 to £880 per person (£89 to £220 per week).

Here are a few points to consider when choosing private student housing: 

1️⃣ Not all private accommodations have inclusive bills

2️⃣ Some private housing allow students and non-students to live together 

3️⃣ Some private housing may be located further from your campus

4️⃣ Price will vary depending on how close you are located to Liverpool City Centre and additional features like support services, gym facilities and social spaces

How Much Is Student Accommodation Rent in Liverpool?

With Stockton Students, the typical rent for student accommodation in Liverpool ranges from £100 to £140 per week, which equates to £400 to £560 rent per month (per person).

This includes bills and other extra facilities, meaning that you can confidently budget and enjoy a comfortable lifestyle. 

Is Student Housing or Private Accommodation More Expensive?

Private accommodation, which does not include bills in the rent, is typically more expensive than student housing. However, some private accommodation providers, like Stockton Students, offer student accommodation with bills included, offering a competitive alternative. 

If you’re a student wanting modern amenities, extra features and increased privacy at an affordable cost, this is an attractive option. 

Cheapest Places to Live In Liverpool

The top 3 cheapest places to live in Liverpool are Edge Hill (L7), Kensington (L6/L7) and Smithdown (L15/L17).

These are closely followed by Kensington Fields (L7), Ropewalks (L1), Aigburth (L17/L19), Fabric Quarter / University Hospital (L3/L6/L7) and Byrom Street / St Georges Quarter (L1/L2/L3). 

Most Expensive Places to Live In Liverpool

The top 3 most expensive places to live in Liverpool are the Waterfront (L2/L3), Baltic Quarter (L1/L8) and Georgian Quarter (L8).

Closely behind these are Breckfield (L5), Sefton Park (L17), Toxteth (L8), Picton (L15) and Knowledge Quarter (L1/L3/L7).

[More information on places to live in Liverpool here: Best Areas to Live in Liverpool]

Additional Student Cost Considerations

There are more student costs to consider than rent and student bills. These lifestyle factors can include food, utility bills, council tax, transportation and entertainment, which we will explore in this section. 

Food In Liverpool

After rent, the second biggest expenditure for students is groceries, which is around £144 per month, according to a National Student Money Survey.  You must also consider any costs spent on dining out, eating food on the go and buying coffee at cafes. 

The average coffee in Liverpool costs between £3 and £4 and the average meal deal is between £3.50 and £6, which can add up without proper control. 

As a student, shop at supermarkets like Lidl, Aldi, Tesco, or Asda and make sure to freeze food, like bread and vegetables, before it goes out of date. This will help you to avoid unnecessary grocery waste.

Utility Bills In Liverpool

On-campus student halls usually include all of the utility bills in their rent price, whereas not all off-campus private accommodations will. 

The average cost of household bills is around £76 monthly, so make sure you factor this into your budgeting if you choose off-campus housing that isn’t inclusive of bills. 

At Stockton Students, all of our private student accommodation comes with all-inclusive bills to make your budgeting easier. Check out our available rooms in Liverpool and secure yours today. 

Council Tax In Liverpool

Full-time students living in student-only households are completely exempt from paying council tax. However, the rules change slightly if you live with non-students.

[More info can be found here: Do Student Houses Pay Council Tax?]

Transportation In Liverpool

On average, students typically spend around £65 on transportation per month. Liverpool has an impressive public transport network offering reliable and affordable transportation options, including the Merseyrail, bus, train and Voi e-scooters.

 This makes it easy to travel to areas within Liverpool such as Wirral, Birkenhead, and further destinations like Chester, Southport, Manchester and even London! 

A single bus journey in Liverpool costs £2 per adult, and Liverpool City Centre has various cycle lanes for added road safety - These options are perfect if you’re a student on a budget. 

Entertainment In Liverpool

As a student new to a city like Liverpool, socialising is a great way to meet new friends. That said, the average cost spent on entertainment, like going out, is roughly £51 per month.

Various factors will influence this cost, such as the number of times you go out, where you go out and the activity that you will be doing. It’s important to have a healthy social life as a student, but it’s equally important to make sure your finances are in order.

Tips to Help You Save Money as a Student in Liverpool

Budgeting is essential no matter your income, but here are some useful ways that you can save money as a student living in Liverpool:

  • Use a budgeting app to track spending and savings
  • Share accommodation and utility bills to lower living costs
  • Take advantage of student discounts on travel, food, and entertainment
  • Try meal prepping to cut down on food waste and cut grocery costs
  • Opt for budget-friendly entertainment options to help manage your spending
  • Look for deals and bargains to make your money go further

Average Living Expenses for Students in Liverpool

In Liverpool, students tend to spend between £499 and £540 on living costs, after rent. Living costs for students in Liverpool in including rent is typically around £1,104, per month.

While this total may seem high, Liverpool is actually much cheaper than the living costs for students in London, which is roughly £1,264 per month.

Popular Things to Do in Liverpool

While you are in Liverpool, if you want to explore the city more, you can visit the places we’ve listed below: 

➡️ Visit the Bold Street and St Luke's Church

➡️ Go to the Baltic Markets (Open Wednesday–Thursday 5–10 PM, Friday 12–11 PM, Saturday 11 AM–11 PM, and Sunday 11 AM–9 PM)

➡️ Visit Chinatown

➡️ Walk around the Waterfront

[Check out our Ultimate City Guide for Students in Liverpool for more information!]

Ready to Book Your Student Accommodation in Liverpool?

Established in 2013, here at Stockton Students we have plenty of ensuite student accommodation options in Liverpool for you to choose from. Our rooms feature a modern design, have super-fast WiFi and all of your utility bills are included in your rent.

To make sure your university experience is the best it can be, at Stockton Students we also offer our residents access to Ollie (our very own wellness coach), CCTV, a coffee machine, bike storage, regular resident student events and a 24/7 emergency line should you need any urgent assistance.

‍As a resident with Stockton Students, you'll have a 30-minute free check in session with Ollie as part of our support package and can book in directly via email at ollie@stocktonstudents.co.uk.

‍Your wellness is important to us and so are equal opportunities. Be sure to check out our No Guarantor price options should this be beneficial to you. We believe everyone deserves the opportunity to create their future and build their career.

For any further questions, contact our friendly team today.

Student Living in Liverpool FAQs

Is Liverpool good for student life?

Yes, Liverpool is a favourable city for students due to its social scene, cost-effective living options, globally recognised universities and overall friendliness.

Liverpool is a popular option for students looking for a city that lets you study hard and play hard. 

Where do most students live in Liverpool?

Popular student areas include Aigburth, Smithdown Road, and Wavertree. Many students also live in Liverpool City Centre to be close to universities and at the heart of nightlife.

Parr Court apartments in Liverpool City Centre offered by Stockton Students are great for students wanting a modern and fully furnished studio apartment. 

For more information or to book a viewing, view our available student rooms and secure yours today! 

Is Liverpool expensive for students?

Liverpool is not generally considered expensive for students. Instead, Liverpool is one of the most affordable cities in the UK, which makes it a favourable choice over other UK cities, especially London. 

However, you must factor in other living costs, such as food, transport, utilities, study equipment and socialising.