What's The Cost Of Living In Birmingham?

We’re Edgbaston-born and raised, so we’re a little biassed when it comes to all things Birmingham. Our vibrant city is the perfect place to call home, with a huge range of cultural spots, shopping and business opportunities right on your doorstep.

But if you’re going to make a move to our neck of the woods, getting an idea of the cost of living in Birmingham is one of the best places to start. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before you up sticks and call Corkfield your own, from the cost of transport to upcoming developments in the area.

Let’s dive in!

Living at Corkfield

To help you uncover the best and brightest Edgbaston and Birmingham independents – and give your wallet a bit of a break – we’ve partnered with some of our favourite shops and spots, spotlighting them as our Neighbourhood Heroes.

Just for being a part of the Corkfield community, you’ll receive delicious discounts and exciting treats through our programme. That means deals that are great for your tastebuds and your budget.

Living at Corkfield can also shave money off your outgoings, with on-site maintenance and high-speed Wi-Fi included in your monthly rent. We also have no added fees and alternative deposit options, for the ultimate peace of mind.

Have we caught your eye? Explore Living Here.

Transportation in Birmingham

Birmingham is incredibly well-connected, with an impressive network of buses, trams and trains. Whether you’re walking, cycling or hopping-on-and-off-ing, it’s very easy to plan and buy the tickets you need, with Swift travel cards available. These Pay As You Go cards are discounted with most bus operators, with further discounted fares on the West Midlands Metro.

Walking and biking

A great deal of Birmingham is pedestrian-friendly, with dedicated cycling lanes running throughout the city centre. At Corkfield, you can store your bike safely and easily in our dedicated storage areas – so you can pedal to your heart’s content, wherever and whenever you need to.

Buses

Buses are also under the jurisdiction of Transport for the West Midlands, with tickets available with Swift. A one day bus pass can set you back £4.50 at time of writing, with an unlimited ‘Diamond’ network ticket costing £8 for travel within the West Midlands, Worcester or Wyvern area.

Train

There are four train stations within Birmingham, which are:

• Curzon Street
• Birmingham New Street
• Birmingham Snow Hill
• Birmingham Moor Street

Tickets can be purchased on-site or through the Trainline App.

Tram and Metro

Birmingham’s Metro system is an easy way to navigate key areas such as the city centre and Jewellery Quarter – even going so far as Wolverhampton for further days-out.

With a zone-based ticketing system, tram riders have better control over their budget, with tickets for single journeys, or for unlimited travel within specific zones available across a day, a week, or even longer.

Food and Groceries

The cost of food impacts the whole of the country, not just Birmingham. But the rough estimate for groceries comes to £250 per month for a single person, with sample item prices as follows:

• Milk (1L): £1.05-£1.33
• Bread (Loaf): £1.08-£1.34
• Eggs (12): £2.19-£2.88
• Chicken fillets (1kg): £5.45-£5.95

To help keep those pesky prices down, Birmingham has a variety of supermarkets for you to shop around at, such as Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury’s, Waitrose – and more ‘discount’ spots such as Lidl and Aldi.

Store brands at the latter are usually cheaper, with fresh produce available at a number of farmers markets that make an appearance throughout the year. Just make sure you shop seasonal, as this is usually sold at a reduced rate.

Leisure, Culture and Entertainment

Birmingham has a huge range of leisure and cultural activities, with a number of free and budget-options alongside more premium experiences.

For a free day out, many of the city’s museums and art galleries have free entry, such as the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery and the MAC Birmingham. These are often complimented by free cultural events that are held throughout the year, such as talks, workshops or even free concerts on a Summer evening.

A vibrant nightlife scene can also be found on Birmingham’s Broad Street, where there are bars and clubs for all tastes. Pubs with reasonable prices can be found, but prices vary by venue.

Our experts recommend keeping an eye out for combo deals that might include dinner and a show, or even a discounted cinema ticket with a meal purchase.

Worked out the cost of living in Birmingham? Now it’s time to find your home.

The cost of living in Birmingham is made up of several factors, but with a full scope, you can understand – and anticipate! – your overall expenses. From here, you can happily plan, budget and make the most of your time here in Birmingham.

It’s no wonder that living in this vibrant city puts you at the centre of everything, whether you’re looking for an extraordinary place to base yourself or discovering fantastic connections to the rest of the country. Make it happen at Corkfield – no matter what takes your fancy.

With a lush selection of 1, 2 and 3 bedroom apartments available, the good life waits for you.

Want to get to know us a little better? Feel free to book a Corkfield viewing. Have a question for us? Don’t hesitate to get in touch or call us on 0121 716 7959.