Energy • June 2026
I run my portable AC overnight at 8p/kWh. Here's what it actually costs — and whether the obsession is worth it.
With Ofgem's July price cap rising 13% to 26.11p/kWh, running a portable air conditioner during the day could cost nearly £2 for a full WFH session. But with the right tariff, a whole night's cooling costs 43p. Here's how the numbers actually break down.
Motoring • August 2026
I Switched from Petrol to Electric — The Real Costs at 15,000 Miles a Year
Petrol hit 150p a litre in April and has kept climbing to 160p. I switched to a used Model Y — cost per mile down from 16p to under 3p. The honest numbers, including when the switch does NOT make sense.
Council Tax • July 2026
Cheapest & Most Expensive Council Tax in the UK 2026
The UK average Band D council tax bill for 2026/27 is £2,335. See the cheapest and most expensive councils, and where rates rose the most this year.
Students • July 2026
Average Student Rent UK 2026 — What Students Actually Pay
The average UK student pays £575 a month in rent — but that ranges from £413 at Lincoln to £1,033 at LSE. We list the average monthly rent at 113 UK universities, and what it means for your maintenance loan.
Students • June 2026
NatWest Student Living Index 2026 — What It Really Tells You
The NatWest Student Living Index is the most comprehensive annual survey of what UK students actually spend. The average student is £502 short every month. Here's what the data shows, city by city — and what it means if you're choosing where to study.
Students • May 2026
How to Choose a University City — It's Not Just About the Course
UCAS offers are in and exams are finishing. We built a tool that ranks 22 UK university cities on nightlife, culture, green space, transport links and university prestige — weighted against cost. Here's why cheapest isn't always best, and how to use real data to choose where to study.
Council Tax • April 2026
UK Council Tax Rises 2026 — How Much More Are You Paying?
Most UK households are now paying around £111 more a year after almost all councils raised rates by the maximum 5% from April 2026. But some councils pushed through rises of nearly 9%. Here's exactly what's changed and what you can do about it.
Moving Cities • April 2026
Moving from London to Manchester 2026 — The Real Financial Guide
More people are leaving London for Manchester than at any point in the last decade. But does the move actually make financial sense on a lower salary? Here's the honest breakdown with real 2026 numbers.
Student city guides
Published 17 September 2026. Rent from the ONS, halls prices from each university, and a budget you can adjust.
- Cost of living in Birmingham for students, 2026/27
- Cost of living in Bradford for students, 2026/27
- Cost of living in Bristol for students, 2026/27
- Cost of living in Colchester for students, 2026/27
- Cost of living in Lincoln for students, 2026/27
- Cost of living in Liverpool for students, 2026/27
- Cost of living in Milton Keynes for students, 2026/27
- Cost of living in Newcastle for students, 2026/27
- Cost of living in Nottingham for students, 2026/27
- Cost of living in Plymouth for students, 2026/27
Coming soon
- The cheapest cities to rent in the UK in 2026
- Is your salary keeping up with inflation? A city-by-city guide
- How to reduce your council tax bill — discounts most people don't claim
- Moving from London — which cities offer the best value for money?
- Best cities for first time buyers on a single salary
Already live: University city guide — ranked beyond cost → • Student cost of living comparison tool →