Cost of living in Sheffield for students

Sheffield is a vibrant and exciting city for university students, with an extensive range of restaurants, bars and activities. It’s important to understand the cost of living in Sheffield and living expenses for students there so you can budget accordingly and make the most of everything Sheffield has to offer.

Average living expenses for students in Sheffield

Your university living expenses in Sheffield will vary depending on a number of factors, like your accommodation and bills, along with your lifestyle. However, we’ve broken down some of the typical costs for university students in Sheffield to help you plan out your finances. 

Housing and accommodation costs

For university students, housing and accommodation costs are likely to be your largest expense, and this will vary depending on where you choose to live.

Living in university accommodation is a popular option which is priced differently per university. For instance, the cost of accommodation at The University of Sheffield ranges from around £135 - £200 per week for undergraduates, while weekly accommodation prices at Sheffield Hallam University can range from £97 - £190.

If you decide against living in university accommodation and want to live by yourself, you can find studio apartments in the city centre for around £830 per month. Rent prices are cheaper outside the city centre, where the monthly cost sits around £700. 

If you’re looking to maintain an independent student lifestyle, iQ is a great option. Our purpose-built accommodation makes student life easy, with superfast wifi, 24/7 security and room types that offer great privacy.

Average gas and electricity bill

If you opt to live in university accommodation, your gas and electricity bill will likely be included in your overall accommodation costs. However, if you’re renting privately, the average gas and electricity bill pricing in Sheffield can be around £107 per month for a one-bedroom flat with one or two occupants, or £151 for a three-bedroom house. 

At iQ, our student accommodation offers an all-inclusive bills package, so you don’t need to worry about paying for gas and electricity on top of your rent. Even better, you can enjoy fun social spaces and regular events hosted in our purpose-built buildings.  

Council tax in Sheffield

Council tax is another factor to consider when trying to calculate your Sheffield living costs. The annual council tax cost varies depending on what band your home is in and ranges from £1,512.43 to £4,537.29 per year, or roughly £126 to £378 per month.

If you’re living in student accommodation, like our iQ buildings, you don’t need to pay council tax. The only time you’ll have to pay council tax is when you’re renting privately or renting with other residents who are not students.

Food and grocery costs

Your food and grocery costs will have a significant impact on your Sheffield living costs, and this is largely dependent on where you choose to buy your food from. Supermarkets like Asda, Aldi and Tesco have the best offers on groceries. 

On average, your monthly groceries when living in university accommodation will cost around £144, and you can expect to pay around £48 per month on eating out. According to data from Numbeo, the average cost of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant is around £13 and you’ll likely spend £4.13 on a pint in Sheffield.

Transportation costs

Sheffield has convenient public transport links, including buses, trains and trams. Students typically pay around £65 per month on transport and many opt to purchase a 16-25 railcard for a third off train travel.

Entertainment and social life costs

There are so many fun things to do in Sheffield, so it’s easy to have an active social life there as a university student. 

There are plenty of free activities and outings in Sheffield, like visiting the Peak District National Park. For nightlife options, the cost of this will vary depending on what you like to do. For instance, cinema ticket costs can start from £6, while the iconic Last Laugh Comedy Club at City Hall is £11 for the night.

Budgeting tips for students in Sheffield

It’s important to understand the cost of living in Sheffield for students so you can plan accordingly to make sure you’re covering all your costs. Below are some tips to help you save money while still making the most of your university experience.

• Make a budget: Check out apps like Monzo or Snoop to help you manage your budget more easily  
• Get a part-time job: Find a part-time job to earn some extra cash and meet new people 
• Cook at home and meal prep: Reducing the number of meals you eat out at restaurants or get takeaways can go a long way to helping you save 
• Use student discounts: Download apps like Student Beans or UNiDAYS for all the best student discounts 

FAQs

Is Sheffield a good place to live for students?

Sheffield is a great place to live and study, and it’s home to around 60,000 students. It has great universities, along with fun activities and a buzzing nightlife scene. In fact, Sheffield was voted third for the ‘best student cities’ in the UK in 2023, which was calculated from over 9,000 student reviews of different cities.

Is Sheffield cheaper than Manchester?

Living in Sheffield is cheaper than living in Manchester. Numbeo reported that the cost of living in Manchester is 9.9% higher than in Sheffield without rent, and 15.9% higher when rent is factored in. 

What area is the best to live in Sheffield?

There are lots of great places to live in Sheffield, depending on your budget and preferences. The city centre, also known as St Paul’s, is an exciting area to live, but it’s on the pricier side. Some of our iQ buildings, like Fenton House, are conveniently located amongst the action near the city centre.

Nether Edge is another great area, which is slightly away from the hustle and bustle of the city centre.

Is Sheffield a friendly city?

Sheffield is a very friendly city, with a wide variety of people from different countries and backgrounds. People who live there describe Sheffield as having a strong sense of community and kindness. 

If you’re looking for student accommodation in Sheffield, check out our purpose-built accommodation at iQ. With fun social spaces, all-inclusive bills included in your monthly rent and convenient locations, find available rooms now or chat with our friendly team if you have questions.