I currently live in the North of England but considering a move to the South-West; I'm already aware that the cost of housing in the South is generally higher than the North (particulary in London and the South-East), but I would like to know if there is a difference in other living expenses?

For example, living costs in the North-East are (approximately) as follows: (Based on a family of 4 living in a 3/4 bed detached house).

Council Tax: £135 per month
Gas / Electricity: £120 per month
Water: £35 per month
Home Insurance: £20 per month
Groceries: £80 per week
Petrol: £1.30 per litre
Meal for 2 people in average restaurant: £40
A trip to the Cinema for 2 people: £20

How does this compare to the South???

Best Regards

I've moved from Leeds/Yorkshire to Newquay, we live in a 4 bed detached.

Council tax: £160 per month.
Water: £160 quarterly, so £40 monthly.
Home Insurance: £8 per month (only because we have 2 cars insured with same home insurance company). It was around £20 per month last year.
Groceries for us are usually between £60 and £80 per week , we eat well/healthily and use the local butchers & market stalls for fruit/veg, much better quality and often cheaper too, especially fruits & veggies.
Petrol: 134.9p at Morrisons (diesel is a whopping 142p!). It's around 139p at the BP station (diesel is 149p).
Meal for 2: Around £40 too.
Cinema: Adults are £7 per ticket, regular popcorn with a large drink included is £5.

Will have to get back to you on the bills as I haven't a clue, hubby deals with them - I *think* it is around £600 quarterly though.

I've moved from Leeds/Yorkshire to Newquay, we live in a 4 bed detached.

Council tax: £160 per month.
Water: £160 quarterly, so £40 monthly.
Home Insurance: £8 per month (only because we have 2 cars insured with same home insurance company). It was around £20 per month last year.
Groceries for us are usually between £60 and £80 per week , we eat well/healthily and use the local butchers & market stalls for fruit/veg, much better quality and often cheaper too, especially fruits & veggies.
Petrol: 134.9p at Morrisons (diesel is a whopping 142p!). It's around 139p at the BP station (diesel is 149p).
Meal for 2: Around £40 too.
Cinema: Adults are £7 per ticket, regular popcorn with a large drink included is £5.

Will have to get back to you on the bills as I haven't a clue, hubby deals with them - I *think* it is around £600 quarterly though.

SB gave a good answer. It's not so much north vs South. It's the distance from London or the amount of work available that counts.

What SB said.... It's a bit more expensive the further south you go, down in the South-West, you have house prices which are generally more because of their location

Take all those prices and double it!