As a Cornishman living in God’s country, this is always a hot topic. Locals can barely afford to live due to how popular the place is. We’re not complaining, well maybe a little bit but we understand why it costs an arm and leg to live here. Anyway below is a list of the average prices of things. Just remember when reading the costs of things the average wage in Cornwall is below £25k.
Housing Costs in Cornwall
The cost of housing is the biggest issue in Cornwall and it doesn’t matter whether you’re renting or buying. The prices are insane.
As per Zoopla, the average property price in Cornwall is approximately £276,000 (as of 2023), slightly lower than the national average. But you won’t get much bang for a buck at that price. For any decent 3-bed house in towns located next to see such as Falmouth, St Ives, and Newquay you’re looking at £300,000 minimum.
And if you want to rent expect to pay between £900-£1,200 a month. Add on taxes and bills and that’s one person’s wage down the drain. Maybe just enough money left to buy a rattler and a pasty.
The Cornwall Council website provides detailed information on property taxes.
Utility Costs
When planning your monthly budget, it’s essential to consider utilities but where’s the fun in that? I like to live by the seat of my pants. It’s the reason I have spare candles in the house. Just in case I can’t pay my electricity and get cut off. Anyway the average utility bill in Cornwall, which includes electricity, gas, and water, is approximately £150 per month for a two-bedroom house.
This is roughly on par with the national average but with the wind and rain in the winter, things can get super cold down here so the gas bill tends to go through the roof, and wooden sheds disappear.
Grocery and Food Costs
Food expenses largely depend on individual preferences like how big a pasty you plan to eat and if you’re gonna have 3 ciders or 4. However, the cost for a basic selection of groceries in Cornwall is generally less expensive than in many UK cities. Dining out varies, but expect to pay around £12-£20 for a meal at a restaurant. If you’re looking for somewhere consistent then St Austell breweries are good though if you want to save some money or find better value places to eat look for a premier inn.
Transportation Costs
Let’s be honest the bus service isn’t amazing in Cornwall though Transport for Cornwall is doing a great effort at trying to change that. SO you probably still want to use a car. If you are going to drive then keep in mind that the average petrol price in Cornwall is approximately 145.9p per litre. You can get bus passes for about £20-£25 a week anywhere in Cornwall though if you’re out in the sticks there won’t be many buses running.
Check the Transport for Cornwall site for more detailed information.
Healthcare Costs
Contrary to popular belief we do in fact have the NHS in Cornwall. Though not many hospitals. The 2 main ones are Penzance and Treliske. The only thing extra you might have to pay for would be a taxi to a hospital if there arent any ambulances available, which is very common down here.
Education Costs
Public schooling in Cornwall is free, like in the rest of the UK. However, if you’re considering private education, fees can vary significantly, with costs ranging from £10,000 to £15,000 per year. To be honest I made that number up 🙂 I’ve never been in private education but if you’re considering sending your child to a private school i doubt you’re worried about the cost anyway.
The best private school in Cornwall is Truro School and Truro High School for girls. If you’re looking for a prep school then Treliske and Polwheel are the two to look at. All these schools are located in the Truro area.
Leisure and Entertainment Costs
Most of the big towns have cinemas. Again the same as the national average with a cinema ticket costing approximately £10, while a gym membership is around £30-£50 per month. A lot of cinemas in Cornwall offer discounts on certain nights during the week which can offer great value. WTW Cinemas is the biggest cinema chain in Cornwall, located in Newquay, Wadebridge, Truro, and St Austell.
Conclusion
Let’s be real. It’s going to cost you more to buy a house down here than in most cities in the UK. There’s a reason people want to retire here but compared to the big cities, eating out and doing things are pretty normal. Buying a beer though is almost on par with London prices in the coastal towns of Newquay and St Ives so if you’re trying to save a bit of money lay off the drink for a bit.
