A tin of HP Baked Beans might cost 2€. Convert that into sterling and it virtually costs a whacking great £2. Back home Tesco charge a fraction of that price! If you intend to buy the same food brands as in the UK, and shop only in the tourist areas, then you’ll find no real difference in the cost of living between Crete and the UK. This isn’t due to extortionate prices in Crete, they’ve remained more or less the same. It’s the poor pound that makes everything appear more expensive.
Bearing in mind a typical office worker only takes home around 900€ a month, then you see it should be possible to live on around that figure. Back to the beans again. Culturally, Greeks don’t eat canned baked beans, they cook their own. Importing goods just for tourists is an expensive business you have to pay for. It makes better sense to follow how the locals shop.
You’ll find buying seasonal fresh fruit and vegetables from the greengrocer works out very cheap. In the last few years three Lidl Supermarkets have opened up in the Chania area where a monthly shop of groceries, cleaning supplies and beers or wine will typically cost around 150€ for a couple. Supermarkets such as Champion, Maxi Dia and large IN.KA’s also keep prices low and invariably have a frozen and fresh meat counter.
There is no council tax in Crete, apart from several euros added to each utility bill. Typically, living permanently in Crete in a two bedroom Snobby the annual water bill should be less than 100€ but if you have a pool, it’s more likely to be in the region of 250€. Typically electric should cost an average of 80€ per month. Bear in mind that includes air conditioning, but hot water is FREE for several months of the year.
New cars are around the same price as the UK, but because of a buyer’s and seller’s tax, the price of vehicles 2-4 years old are still relatively high. Car insurance is more expensive than in the UK and most people opt for third party as repairs are relatively cheap. If you want to do the British thing and go fully comp., then this bumps the price up even more. Road tax is based upon engine size and is comparable to what you pay in the UK.
Eating out is still relatively cheap - providing you steer clear of tavernas catering more for tourists. Far better to go to places frequented by locals. Here, dinner with local wine will cost around 12€ per head - unless you opt for fresh fish and then it will more than likely be around 20€.
If you have an income of £12,000 per year, then for this Crete offers a comfortable lifestyle, covering all the bills, running a small car and dining out regularly.
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