East of England
Town
Pop. 174,000Cost of Living in Bedford
Bedfordshire, England
Average House Price
£287.3k
+1%vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£35,712
+9%vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,280/mo
+7%vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax
£2,102
Band D / yr
Energy
£146
/ mo
Water
£35.00
/ mo
Broadband
£32.00
/ mo
Bus Pass
£71.82
/ mo
Housing
House Prices in Bedford
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£287,300
Detached£429,250
Semi-detached£284,750
Terraced£238,000
Flat / Apartment£170,000
House prices in Bedford have increased by 0.0% over the past year.
Salaries
Salaries in Bedford
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£35,712
Mean£40,590
Median hourly rate£17.23/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£24,480
Upper quartile (75th)£48,150
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
+8.5%£3,327 below national average
Monthly costs
Monthly Cost of Living in Bedford
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Bedford each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent | £1,280 |
| Housing | Council Tax | £175 |
| Utilities | Energy | £146 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £32.00 |
| Transport | Transport | £186 |
| Food | Groceries | £284 |
| Leisure | Leisure | £151 |
| Estimated Total | £2,288 |
These figures are estimates based on averages and may vary depending on your lifestyle, property type, and household size. Council tax shown at Band D; your band may differ.
Transport
Transport Costs in Bedford
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£71.82
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.43
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£186
Compare
Compare Bedford with Another Location
See how the cost of living in Bedford stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Bedford
- What is the average house price in Bedford?
- The average house price in Bedford is £287,300, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £429,250, while flats and apartments average £170,000. Prices have risen by 0.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Bedford?
- The median annual salary in Bedford is £35,712, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £3,327 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £24,480 (lower quartile) to £48,150 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Bedford?
- Average monthly rent in Bedford is £1,280 per month. Rents have increased by +2.8% over the past year.
- Is Bedford an affordable place to live?
- Bedford is expensive relative to local earnings. Rent accounts for approximately 43% of the median monthly income, significantly above the 30% affordability threshold. The average monthly rent is £1,280, while the median annual salary is £35,712 (approximately £2,976 per month before tax).
- How does Bedford compare to London?
- The average house price in Bedford is £287,300, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Bedford costs around 52% of London prices, making it £263,700 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,280 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Bedford?
- House prices in Bedford are currently rising, with a 0.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £287,300 reflects data from 2025-12-01. As with all property markets, past performance does not guarantee future changes.
Nearby
Nearby Locations
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