The cost of living in Reading is reflected by an index of 68, with rent index at 58. This page helps compare living expenses, rent, groceries, and affordability in Reading.
Reading has a cost of living index of 68 and a rent index of 58. That makes it mid-to-high cost compared with many UK cities. Grocery and restaurant costs are shown below to help users compare daily spending.
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Cost of living index | 68 |
| Rent index | 58 |
| Groceries index | 65 |
| Restaurant price index | 70 |
| Local purchasing power | 87 |
| 1-bed rent in city centre | £1,500 |
| 1-bed rent outside centre | £1,200 |
Users often compare local prices with local pay. See the average salary in Reading.
This page shows the relative cost, rent, grocery, and restaurant indices so users can compare Reading with other places in the UK.
The sample dataset on this starter site uses a one-bedroom city-centre rent estimate of £1,500 per month.
Sources: Numbeo for cost of living metrics. Cost update: 2026-03-28. Salary context from ONS ASHE 2025.