South West
Town
Pop. 20,000Cost of Living in Dorchester
Dorset, England
Average House Price
£319.1k
+10%vs UK avg (£290k)
Median Salary
£38,148
+2%vs UK avg (£39,039)
Average Rent
£1,133/mo
+6%vs UK avg (£1,200)
Quick Facts
Council Tax
£2,237
Band D / yr
Energy
£144
/ mo
Water
£35.00
/ mo
Broadband
£33.00
/ mo
Bus Pass
£70.50
/ mo
Housing
House Prices in Dorchester
Average Property Prices
Based on Land Registry data for 2025-12-01
Average price (all types)
£319,060
Detached£482,300
Semi-detached£307,400
Terraced£265,000
Flat / Apartment£206,700
House prices in Dorchester have increased by +1.0% over the past year.
Salaries
Salaries in Dorchester
Annual Salary
Median and mean gross annual pay
Median£38,148
Mean£42,925
Median hourly rate£18.33/hr
Salary Range
Lower and upper quartile earnings
Lower quartile (25th)£26,058
Upper quartile (75th)£50,500
vs UK National Median (£39,039)
+2.3%£891 below national average
Monthly costs
Monthly Cost of Living in Dorchester
Estimated Monthly Breakdown
What it costs to live in Dorchester each month, based on averages from ONS and open data sources.
| Category | Item | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Housing | Rent | £1,133 |
| Housing | Council Tax | £186 |
| Utilities | Energy | £144 |
| Utilities | Water | £35.00 |
| Utilities | Broadband | £33.00 |
| Transport | Transport | £182 |
| Food | Groceries | £284 |
| Leisure | Leisure | £148 |
| Estimated Total | £2,145 |
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 Dorchester
Monthly Bus Pass
Standard adult monthly bus pass
£70.50
Fuel per Litre
Average petrol price per litre
£1.40
Monthly Commute
Estimated monthly commuting cost
£182
Compare
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See how the cost of living in Dorchester stacks up against other UK cities and towns.
Or choose any two locations to compareFAQ
Frequently Asked Questions About Living in Dorchester
- What is the average house price in Dorchester?
- The average house price in Dorchester is £319,060, based on HM Land Registry data for 2025-12-01. Detached homes average £482,300, while flats and apartments average £206,700. Prices have risen by +1.0% over the past year.
- What is the average salary in Dorchester?
- The median annual salary in Dorchester is £38,148, compared to the UK national median of £39,039. This is £891 below the national average. Salaries typically range from £26,058 (lower quartile) to £50,500 (upper quartile).
- How much does it cost to rent in Dorchester?
- Average monthly rent in Dorchester is £1,133 per month. Rents have increased by +6.2% over the past year.
- Is Dorchester an affordable place to live?
- Dorchester can be a stretch for those on median earnings. Rent accounts for approximately 36% of the median monthly income, which exceeds the 30% affordability guideline. The average monthly rent is £1,133, while the median annual salary is £38,148 (approximately £3,179 per month before tax).
- How does Dorchester compare to London?
- The average house price in Dorchester is £319,060, compared to approximately £551,000 in London. Property in Dorchester costs around 58% of London prices, making it £231,940 cheaper on average. Rent is also more affordable, at £1,133 per month versus approximately £2,253 in London.
- Are house prices rising or falling in Dorchester?
- House prices in Dorchester are currently rising, with a +1.0% increase over the past year. The current average price of £319,060 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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