Things to Know Before You Relocate In Manchester
Cost of living in Manchester
According to a study by Wise, Manchester is in the top 3 cities in the UK with the highest cost of living index (64.6), behind London(81.4) and Edinburgh(68.2).
How much do I need to live in Manchester?
The amount of money you will need to live in Manchester will vary depending on your family composition:
- If you are single: According to a study by Numbeo, the average monthly cost of living for a single person is estimated at £879.8, excluding rent.
- For a family of four(2 adults, 2 children): According to Numbeo, expenses are estimated at £3,062.5 per month, excluding rental costs.
Of course, these are all estimates based on general data. You may therefore find yourself spending more or less depending on your lifestyle.
Average Renting Cost in Manchester
The average cost of renting a property in Manchester in 2025 will depend on its layout and location. Here is some general information:
- For 1 bedroom : £961
- For 2 bedrooms : £1,183
- For 3 bedrooms : £1,367
- For 4 or more bedrooms: £1,946
Please note that the average price may also vary depending on the type of property (apartment, maisonette, terraced houses, home etc.). This gives us a monthly rental price of £1,312. By way of comparison, London has an average monthly rental price of £2,106.
Working in Manchester
Manchester has a growing employability rate, with a rate of 71.4% in 2024. The industries that recruit the most in Manchester are:
- Finance
- Tech
- Construction
- Retail
This makes Manchester an attractive city for employment opportunities due to the diversity of its recruiting industries and its growing employability rate.
Salary in Manchester
The average salary in Manchester is £46.4k/year. By way of comparison, the figure for all cities in England combined is 45.8k per year. To go into more detail, the average salary ranges from £24.5k at the lower end to £47.0k at the higher end.
Health in Manchester
Manchester ranks among the top three cities with the best hospitals, with a total score of 93.08/100, just behind London (98.96) and Cambridge (93.68). And one of the most important points to remember is that hospital fees are free for people who live in the UK permanently. And if you are a foreign student or employee, you will be eligible for free healthcare.
The best neighbourhoods in Manchester
Like all cities in the UK and around the world, Manchester has areas that are more or less desirable to live in. We have compiled a list of the best neighbourhoods in Manchester:
- Northern Quarter (NQ) : creative, trendy, great for nightlife but can be noisy and rent is higher.
- Castlefield: central, historic, well-connected.
- Ancoats, Green Quarter, Greengate, and Salford: popular for city‑centre access and relative affordability.
- For quieter, greener outer areas: Altrincham, Sale, Prestwich, Wigan, Whitefield or Tameside, they are good commuting distance with more affordable rents/homes
Safety in Manchester
Manchester is generally a safe city. The city makes it a point of honour to ensure the safety of its residents. Its crime rate has been falling sharply since 2022/2023. By way of comparison, Manchester has a crime index of 44.3, compared to 63.5 for Birmingham and 48.4 for Liverpool.
Education in Manchester
Manchester is known for its high-quality student life. The city is home to some of the best internationally recognised universities. Here is a top 3 of the best universities in Manchester:
- University of Manchester: Top-tier global reputation; exceptional research, high employability, sustainable impact
- Manchester Metropolitan (MMU): Creative/technical focus; strong industry ties; diverse international student body.
- University of Salford: MediaTech connectivity; affordable tuition; hands-on applied learning & engineering focus.
Public transport in Manchester
Manchester is a pedestrian-friendly city. However, this does not prevent it from having an extensive bus, tram and train network. Public transport is provided by Bee Network. Here are the different ticket prices available for single use:
- Bus | Adult: £2
- Bus | Children: Free under 5. £1 between 5-16
- Tram | Adult: £4.60 for all zones
- Tram | Child: £2.30 for all zones
- Train | Adult: £8.60
- Train | Child: £4.10
Should You Visit Manchester Before Moving In?
Although we have provided you with essential information before relocating to Manchester, this will not be enough to help you make your final decision. You can’t move to a new city without visiting it first. So our advice is: buy a train ticket, book a hotel room or Airbnb, and visit the city, not as a tourist but as if you were living there. This will prevent you from forming a biased opinion and give you a more realistic view of your future life in Manchester.
Tips to Relocate in Manchester
Planning a house move in Manchester takes preparation. To ensure that everything goes smoothly, remember to:
- Find the perfect accommodation
- Hire a removal company in Manchester
- Choose your ideal moving date
What to do in Manchester
If you are visiting Manchester for sightseeing, here are some cool places to visit:
- Visit Museums such as the science and industry museum, National Football museum or the University of Manchester museum
- Manchester canal & river cruise
- The Coronation Street experience
- City Centre Visit
- Manchester Art Gallery
- And for children the Legoland Discovery Center
You can also hire a tour guide who will organise a tour of all the interesting places in Manchester.
Conclusion
Manchester is an appealing city for students, families, and singles alike. It offers employment opportunities in a variety of industries and remains more affordable than larger cities such as London. While the cost of living is still high, it offers a good quality of life, including pleasant neighbourhoods, an extensive public transport network, and high-quality hospitals. It also offers a fair share of tourist activities.
