Cost of Living in Sussex

Average living costs, property prices and general outgoings are intrinsically linked to the salary you’ll need to earn to live comfortably in Sussex. Take a look at our detailed insights to help with budgeting – and planning your next career move.

Sussex is generally considered a higher-priced part of the UK, along with neighbouring Surrey and Kent in the southeast corner. While there are, indeed, some affluent areas within West and East Sussex, these are also interspersed with lively cities, tiny rural villages and charming market towns, many of which are surprisingly affordable.

Today, we'll run through some of the core aspects of living in Sussex that may influence your salary expectations and the viability of relocating while ensuring your earnings are more than sufficient to finance the lifestyle you expect.

To help with your planning, we'll examine living costs compared to other counties, prices within the larger Sussex cities, and the contrasts between public transport, utilities, housing, and childcare.

Understanding Diversity in Locations and Living Costs in Sussex

It's worth starting by clarifying that Sussex covers two distinct counties—East and West—and is split into a huge variety of cities, towns, villages, and expansive countryside areas, all of which impact local living costs.

For example, if you choose to work in one of the major metropolitan areas, like Brighton, Crawley, Worthing, Chichester or Bognor Regis, you might earn a higher level salary than you'd anticipate for a similar role in one of the smaller towns – such as Horsham, Hastings, Rye or Lancing.

There are also pockets of Sussex that command premium pricing, and while there are fewer business districts or employment opportunities, living costs in prime areas, especially those close to the Sussex coastline and nature reserves like Itchenor, Battle or Mayfield, your salary might not stretch quite as far.

This guide considers average living costs across the region, with specific examples to highlight some of the variances to be aware of. However, your choice of place to live and work will have a direct effect on your living costs and the earnings you'll need to cover your expected outgoings.

Housing and Rental Prices in East and West Sussex

If you're relocating to Sussex and planning to buy a home, the average purchase price is £427,046 across East Sussex and slightly higher at £440,123 in West Sussex – although the average listings have dropped by around 4% year-on-year.

In the more expensive areas, such as Ditchling, East Sussex, and Amberley, West Sussex, prices are higher, with an average of £722,266 in the former and £882,857 in the latter, although most regions and towns have more affordable homes alongside costlier real estate in central areas, with sea views, or closest to amenities. Naturally, the price of a flat or terraced property will be lower than for a detached home with generous gardens and parking, with averages of:

  • £230,265 to buy a flat in West Sussex, £402,425 for a terraced house, £434,536 for a semi-detached home and £692,294 for a detached property.
  • £272,907 for an East Sussex apartment, £408,713 for a terraced property and £627,760 for a detached house.

Mid-Sussex, within central Sussex, has an average house price of £448,000, showing a fairly stable housing market throughout the region, comparable to much of the rest of the southeast.

Renters will find that accommodation costs vary considerably between areas. The latest data from 2023 shows an average monthly rental cost of £1,744 in Brighton and Hove, £938 in Hastings, £1,237 in Chichester, and £1,358 in Crawley.

Average Cost of Living in Sussex Compared to Other Regions

General living costs may differ for single adults and families and depend on whether you plan to buy or rent a home, need to factor in a commute to work, have pre-school-age children who require nursery places or prefer to enrol older children in private education.

As a rough idea, living costs in the southeast are between £1,500 and £2,000 per month for a single person and £3,000 to £4,000 per month for a family of three or four people – including accommodation.

However, all of the cities and larger towns in Sussex enjoy a lower cost of living than that in London:

Brighton Crawley Chichester Eastbourne London
Monthly Utilities £213 £240 £240 £170 £251
Mid-Range Meal for Two £63 £60 £60 £70 £83
Monthly Public Transport Pass £86 £81 £116 £30 £200
Monthly Gym Membership £36 £30 £25 £30 £44
Monthly Nursery Fees £1,327 £1,300 £1,375 £1,522 £1,803
Cost of Living in Comparison to London 24.5% lower or 36.8% lower, including housing Rental prices are 84.3% lower, groceries 12.5% cheaper 30.5% lower or 56.1% lower, including housing Restaurant prices are 23% lower, and rental costs are 116.5% cheaper

Costs of Public Transport Networks in Sussex

The availability and cost of public transport may depend on whether you are close to one of the many regional train stations, bus services or alternatives like park-and-ride schemes.

However, for most Sussex residents, public transport is very affordable:

  • Schemes announced in West Sussex mean travellers using bus routes never pay above a capped fare of £2 for a single journey or £4 for a return ticket—reduced from previous thresholds of £3.30 and £5, respectively.
  • In East Sussex, travellers and commuters can purchase a Freedom Ticket for £15, enabling them to travel on as many bus services as they wish, as frequently as they want to, for seven days.
  • Stagecoach offers varied tickets via its app called Flexi5 and Flexi10 tickets. These tickets act as day riders and allow users to travel for reduced rates starting at £3.50 per day.
  • Compass Travel in Brighton and Hove allows families to travel with children under five without a child fare and a half-price ticket for children aged 15 or under.

Train travel is also widely available, with Southern trains visiting most stations throughout Sussex and connecting directly with London.

For example, trains from Hastings to London Charing Cross stop at all the stations between Hastings and Tonbridge, and direct services from Brighton to London Victoria stop at Haywards Heath and Gatwick Airport along the way.

Sussex Education and Childcare Costs

Numerous top-rated private and public schools, including modern academies, community colleges, and universities, are located across Sussex. These schools have varying fee structures and entrance admission rules.

While local primary, secondary and sixth-form schools are cost-free, private school costs may be a significant part of your budget. We've listed below some of the best-known ones to give you an idea of the costs, while average nursery fees are covered in the earlier regional comparisons.

School Age Range Average Cost per Year
Ardingly College, Haywards Heath 13-18 Co-educational £25,185 - £39,312
Battle Abbey School, Battle 3-18 Co-educational £17,943 - £33,876
Brighton College, Brighton 3-18 Co-educational £26,700 - £43,650
Brighton Girls, Brighton 3-18 Girls £15,333
Buckswood School, Guestling 10-18 Co-educational £17,550 - £33,600
Burgess Hill Girls, Burgess Hill 3-18 Girls £20,850 - £36,750
Christ’s Hospital, Horsham 11-18 Co-educational £23,790 - £36,600
Eastbourne College, Eastbourne 13-18 Co-educational £25,230 - £38,280
Hurstpierpoint College, Hurstpierpoint 4-18 Co-educational £25,485 - £31,995
Mayfield School, Mayfield 11-18 Girls £23,250 - £36,750
Roedean School, Brighton 11-18 Girls £23,490 - £49,650
Shoreham College, Shoreham-by-Sea 3-16 Co-educational £16,200

Average Salaries vs Living Costs in Sussex

Although the southeast is undoubtedly more expensive in comparison with other regions further north, the average earnings available in Sussex balance out the higher living costs – depending, of course, whether you live in a quieter or more affordable area and commute into one of the cities, or live and work in the same place.

The most recent government data shows that in the southeast, the median weekly pay equates to annual salaries of roughly £37,648—second only to London. This also represents a significant uplift against the national average of £35,464, indicating that salaries are 6% above the UK average.

However, as with all the living costs discussed here, salaries will also vary between locations, with the 2023 average incomes for full-time workers as follows in some of the largest employment hubs:

Area Average Salary
Crawley, West Sussex £44,900
Mid Sussex £42,900
Brighton and Hove, East Sussex £40,200
Adur, West Sussex £39,800
Eastbourne, East Sussex £39,300
Horsham, West Sussex £37,500
Wealden, East Sussex £36,500
Chichester, West Sussex £36,000
Worthing, West Sussex £35,600
Rother, East Sussex £35,600
Arun, West Sussex £34,800
Hastings, East Sussex £30,300

These metrics show that by balancing your living costs against your salary, you can choose the best places to live and work in Sussex and ensure any jobs you apply for will easily cover your outgoings.

Learn more in our guide: Average Salaries in Sussex

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