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Wakefield · Cost of Living 2026
City Guide · United Kingdom · Europe

Cost of Living in Wakefield, United Kingdom
2026 Expat Guide

moderately affordable 17% below the global city average (CoL 87.2)

Expats and digital nomads choosing Wakefield, United Kingdom can expect a moderately priced cost of living (index 72.1, vs NYC's baseline of 100). Central apartment rent averages ~$568/month; dining out starts at ~$8 per meal.

With a population of 110,000, Wakefield is a smaller city in United Kingdom.

Monthly Budget: $500–800/month  ·  CoL Index: N/A (NYC = 100, global avg 87.2)
🇬🇧 United Kingdom Pop. 110k Updated April 2026
CoL Index
N/A
NYC = 100
Rent Index
N/A
NYC = 100
1-BR Centre
$568
monthly rent
Avg. Salary
N/A
net/month
Cheap Meal
$8
restaurant
Groceries
$314
monthly basket

Key Cost of Living Data

Wakefield 2026 · NYC baseline = 100

Cost of Living
N/A
Rent Index
N/A
Cheap Meal USD
$8
Monthly Groceries
$314
Monthly Transport
$87
CategoryValueNotesSource
CoL IndexN/ANYC baseline = 100 · global avg 87.2GlobalCostData 2026
Rent IndexN/AAvg rent vs NYCGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR City Centre$568Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
1-BR Outside Centre$369Monthly rent, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Cheap Restaurant Meal$8Per person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Groceries$314Single person, USDGlobalCostData 2026
Monthly Transport$87Transit pass, USDGlobalCostData 2026

Affordability snapshot

Rent / Salary ratio
N/A

Share of average net salary absorbed by 1-bed city-centre rent. Lower = more disposable income.

Country context · United Kingdom

Avg net salary
N/A
Food basket /mo
N/A
Avg rent /mo
$568
Internet speed
105 Mbps
Safety index
7.3
HDI
0.940
Life expectancy
80.9 yrs
Purchasing power
71.2

Housing & Rent

USD per month · 2026

TypeUSD / monthNotes
1-bed, city centre$568Capital city avg.
1-bed, outside centre$369Suburbs avg.
Country avg rent$568United Kingdom (national)

Food & Dining

Per-item prices in USD

ItemPrice (USD)Notes
Cheap restaurant meal$8Per person
Mid-range restaurant (2p)$243-course
Monthly groceries (single)$314Single person estimate
Country food basketN/AUnited Kingdom (national avg)

Transport

Monthly costs in USD

TypePrice (USD)Notes
Monthly transit pass$87Public transport avg.

City Insight

Wakefield's CoL Index of 72.1 makes it a 'value destination' — expats from Western countries typically see their purchasing power increase substantially here.

Country profile
Full cost of living guide for United Kingdom
View country →

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Monthly Budget Estimates

Wakefield · 2026 · Single person

LifestyleMonthly Budget (USD)Notes
Frugal$500Shared room, basic lifestyle
Comfortable$8001-bed apt, normal expat lifestyle
Western expat$1,300Private apt, regular travel

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Frequently Asked Questions

Wakefield cost of living

Is Wakefield cheap to live in?
Wakefield is moderately affordable with a CoL Index of 72.1. It is cheaper than most Western cities, making it popular with digital nomads and expats. A comfortable single-person lifestyle typically costs $721–$1,009/month.
What is the average rent in Wakefield?
A 1-bedroom apartment in the centre of Wakefield costs approximately $568/month, while outside the city centre it averages $369/month. Prices vary significantly by neighbourhood and property quality.
How much money do you need to live comfortably in Wakefield?
A comfortable single-person lifestyle in Wakefield requires approximately $666/month, covering rent, food, transport, and leisure. On a tight budget (shared housing, cooking at home), $372/month is feasible. A Western expat lifestyle with private accommodation costs $1,139+/month.
How does Wakefield compare to New York City for cost of living?
Wakefield is approximately 28% cheaper than New York City overall (CoL Index 72.1 vs NYC baseline of 100). Rent specifically is 72% lower than NYC. Expats from NYC will enjoy significant savings.
What is the average salary in Wakefield?
Salary data for Wakefield is not yet available in our dataset. For national averages, see the United Kingdom country profile. International job boards and local recruiters are the best source for current benchmarks.

Cities With Similar Cost of Living

Comparable CoL Index (+/- 10 points) to Wakefield

Sources: World Bank Open Data 2026 · GlobalCostData Research 2026. Data verified April 2026. Not financial or legal advice.
Disclaimer: Prices are indicative and vary by neighbourhood and individual lifestyle. Verify with local sources before relocating.