Cost of Living in Newcastle vs Nottingham
When choosing where to study in the UK, two rising stars on many students’ lists are Newcastle and Nottingham. Both cities boast world-class universities, rich cultural scenes, and lively student communities, but they differ in affordability. Below, we compare the cost of living in Newcastle versus Nottingham, with a particular focus on student accommodation costs. We’ll also introduce how uhomes.com can help you find the perfect room or apartment—close to campus, the city centre, and equipped with all the facilities you need.
Overall Cost of Living: Newcastle vs. Nottingham
Newcastle
Monthly living expenses (excluding rent): around £1,100 – £1,200 per month. This figure covers groceries, transport, utilities, leisure and study materials, and echoes Newcastle’s ranking among the UK’s 10 most affordable student cities.
Transport: A student bus pass costs roughly £60 per month for unlimited travel across Tyne and Wear.
Food & drink: Supermarket staples total about £25–£35 per week; a mid-range pub meal runs £12–£15.
Nottingham
Monthly living expenses (excluding rent): approximately £1,100–£1,200 as well. Recent surveys put average non-rent student spending in Nottingham at around £1,134 per month, though this can vary by lifestyle.
Transport: Nottingham City Transport pass for students is about £55 per month.
Food & drink: Weekly groceries cost £25–£35; a restaurant meal typically sits at £12–£14.
Everyday costs (groceries, bills, socialising) in both cities are very similar. The decisive factor for many will therefore be housing.
Student Accommodation Cost Comparison
Newcastle
- com providesprivate student housing in Newcastle options between £90 – £400 per week with bills-included.
- Studios span £119–£260 per week, with luxury options above £270 per week
- Standard en-suites average £110–£130 per week
- Off-campus shared flats: Typically £70–£100 per week for private rentals, though bills-included.
Nottingham
- The average weekly rent of privatestudent accommodation in Nottingham is £160–£200/week, depending on location, room type, and bills inclusion.
- You’ll find shared houses from £85 per weekin suburbs like Lenton or Radford, rising to £200 per week or more for central studios.
Key Differences
Cheapest possible: In Newcastle you can secure a en-suite from about £112 per week; in Nottingham, the en-suite tends closer to £75 per week.
Mid–range comfort: Expect to pay £120–£160 per week in Newcastle and £150–£180 pw in Nottingham for a modern, bills-included en-suite.
High–end: Luxury studios or apartments in either city start from £250 pw and can exceed £300 pw.
Why Choose uhomes.com for Your Student Home?
Whether you prioritise budget, location, or amenities, uhomes.com has you covered:
Diverse Room Types
uhomes.com lists everything from affordable shared-kitchen flats to high-spec studios and multi-bed apartments—so you can tailor your search to your budget and lifestyle.
Competitive Prices
The platform provide the affordable student accommodation with bills-included, and you don’t need to worry about extra costs about water, gas, electricity, internet, and heating. For example, cheap student housing in Nottingham start from £79/week. While the cheapest student accommodation in Newcastle upon Tyne at £112/week.
Comprehensive Facilities
Most uhomes.com properties come with ensuite bathrooms, fast Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, communal lounges, gyms, and study spaces. Utility bills and internet are often included for hassle-free budgeting.
Prime Locations
Every listing notes its distance to campus and the city centre, so you can choose to roll out of bed and into lecture halls—or be right in the heart of bars, shops and nightlife.
UserFriendly Search
Filter by price, type, distance to university, and available move-in dates. Read verified reviews from fellow students to gauge atmosphere and management quality.
Other Living Costs
Mobile & broadband: Expect to spend around £10–£12 per week in both cities for a combined mobile plan and home internet.
Gym membership: Gym fees tend to run between £17 and £25 per week in Newcastle; in Nottingham you’ll find slightly cheaper options at roughly £15–£20 per week.
Cinema ticket: A standard cinema ticket costs around £8–£10 in Newcastle, compared with about £7–£9 in Nottingham.
Night out (including drinks): Nights out usually cost between £25 and £40 in Newcastle, whereas in Nottingham you can expect to pay around £20–£35 for an evening of drinks and socialising.
Lifestyle & Student Experience
Newcastle
Atmosphere: Famous for its friendly locals, riverside Quayside, and historic architecture.
Nightlife: The Diamond Strip & Bigg Market draw huge student crowds.
Outdoors: Quick access to Northumberland beaches and countryside.
Nottingham
Atmosphere: A vibrant mix of historic Lace Market architecture and leafy suburbs like Lenton.
Nightlife: Hockley’s indie bars, the Student Quarter around Broad Street, and regular city festivals.
Green spaces: Wollaton Hall, Arboretum, and nearby Sherwood Forest.
Conclusion
If tight budgets are your primary concern, Newcastle can edge out Nottingham with slightly lower entry-level rents and a few extra pennies in your maintenance loan each week. However, Nottingham remains highly competitive, especially once you factor in the variety of student accommodation and the close-knit layout of its two major universities.
Ultimately, your decision may come down to course location, campus culture, or simply which city “feels” right. Wherever you choose, uhomes.com simplifies finding the right place—offering a vast selection of rooms and apartments, top-notch facilities, and unbeatable proximity to both campus and the buzz of city life. Hunting for an affordable NTU or UON accommodation is not a challenge with uhomes.com any more. Start browsing today, and secure your ideal student home with confidence!

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