Cost of Living in Banbury
Is Banbury affordable? What will your monthly costs look like?
Banbury is more affordable than bigger cities like London or Oxford, but prices have still gone up in recent years — especially for rent. The good news is that many people find it easier to manage their budget here, especially if they share housing or live slightly outside the centre.
Here’s a breakdown of typical costs to help you plan.
🏠 Rent
| Type of Housing | Approx. Monthly Rent |
| Room in shared house | £500–£700 |
| One-bedroom flat (central) | £850–£1,100 |
| One-bedroom flat (suburbs) | £750–£950 |
| Two-bedroom flat or house | £1,000–£1,300 |
💡 Most newcomers choose to share housing with others to save money at first. Some landlords include bills in the rent — always check.
💡 Bills
| Type | Typical Monthly Cost (for 1–2 people) |
| Electricity & Gas | £80–£120 (more in winter) |
| Water | £30–£40 |
| Council Tax (Band A–C) | £90–£120 (may vary by area) |
| Internet | £25–£35 |
| Mobile phone plan | £10–£20 |
📌 You’ll usually register for utilities yourself or through your landlord. Always take meter readings when you move in.
🛒 Groceries
| Item | Average Cost |
| 1 loaf of bread | £1.20 |
| 1 litre milk | £1.00 |
| 1 dozen eggs | £2.50 |
| 1kg rice | £1.50–£2.00 |
| Chicken (1kg) | £5–£6 |
| Weekly groceries (solo) | £30–£50 |
💡 Budget stores like Lidl, Aldi, and Iceland are good for saving money. Banbury also has international stores with African, Asian, and Eastern European foods.
🚌 Transport
- Local bus pass: ~£20–£35 per week
- Taxi (within Banbury): £6–£12
- Train to Oxford: ~£8–£11 one-way (cheaper with Railcard)
- Railcard (optional): £30/year to save 1/3 on train fares
🍴 Eating Out (Low-Cost Options)
- Takeaway meal (kebab, pizza): £6–£10
- Meal in a low-cost café: £10–£15
- Coffee or tea in a café: £2.50–£3.50
💡 Cooking at home is much cheaper — and many NHS staff prep meals in bulk for the week.
🎉 Monthly Budget Summary (Solo)
| Item | Estimated Monthly Total |
| Rent (shared) | £600 |
| Bills (inc. internet) | £120 |
| Groceries | £160 |
| Phone | £15 |
| Transport | £60 |
| Total: | £955 |
👉 With a modest lifestyle, you can live comfortably under £1,000–£1,200/month. Some staff spend less if they house-share and cook at home.