MOST people don’t sit down and properly work out what it costs to live in the UK.
They know rent is high, energy bills are painful, and the weekly food shop keeps creeping up, but it’s only when you add everything together that the number starts to land properly.
For a couple, a fairly typical month now comes in at around £2,180 – rent sits at roughly £1,350, energy at £150, food at £400, water at £50, council tax close to £190, and broadband at around £40.
That’s before you factor in transport, meals out, or anything unexpected, which is how most people end up comfortably over £2,200 a month just to live at home.
At the same time, I spend most of my time analysing holiday pricing and staying in hotels – more than 200 at this point – and recently one trend has become difficult to ignore.
There are now multiple four-week, all-inclusive holidays for two people, including flights, coming in at the same price or less than that monthly cost.
And when you look at what is actually included, the comparison becomes even more interesting.
Your accommodation is covered, all meals are included, drinks are available and there are no household bills to think about, plus most hotels also include fast WiFi, so working remotely is entirely possible.
So I tested it properly, and here are ten examples where the numbers genuinely stack up.
Skanes Serail, Tunisia – £795pp
I found a 28-night deal at Skanes Serail, all inclusive, for £1,590 which works out at £795 per person.
October here is exactly what most people want from a long stay – mid-20s, dry, and consistently sunny without feeling relentless. What stands out with this hotel is how easy it is to settle into.
You’ve got big pool space, direct beach access, and food and drink available throughout the day. Wi-Fi is included, and it is the kind of setup where days naturally fall into a routine.
At £1,590 for two people, you are comfortably under what most couples are paying just to live in the UK, but with everything already covered.
Riadh Palms, Tunisia – £860pp
I found a 28-night deal at Riadh Palms, all inclusive, for £1,720, which works out at £860 per person.
Sousse holds its warmth in October, sitting around 24 degrees, so you still get that proper beach holiday feel.
This is a classic, lively beachfront hotel where everything happens on-site. There are multiple places to eat and drink, a big central pool, and entertainment running throughout the day.
It is built for people who want atmosphere as well as sunshine, and you could easily spend weeks here without getting bored. At £1,720 for two people, you are still below UK living costs, with none of the usual monthly bills to think about.
Hotel Riviera Sousse, Tunisia – £875pp
I found a 28-night deal at Hotel Riviera Sousse, all inclusive, for just £1,750, which works out at just £875 per person.
You are looking at around 24 degrees in October, which is ideal for a longer, more comfortable stay. This one feels slightly more activity-led, with pools, slides, and more going on during the day.
It is a good example of a hotel that gives you options, whether you want to switch off completely or keep busy.
Food, drinks, and WiFi are all included, so you are not dipping into your pocket constantly. At £1,750 for two people, it still comes in under what many couples are spending at home each month.
Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side, Turkey – £970pp
I found a 28-night deal at Ramada Resort by Wyndham Side, all inclusive, for just £1,940 which works out at just £970 per person.
Antalya in October is still pushing 25 degrees, so it feels like you are extending summer rather than chasing it. This is a more modern, polished setup, and you can feel that in how everything runs.
The all-inclusive offering is strong, with multiple restaurants, bars and well-kept pool areas, plus reliable WiFi throughout.
It is the sort of hotel where everything just works, which matters over
a longer stay. At £1,940 for two people, you are still coming in below typical UK monthly costs.
Oludeniz Beach Resort by Z Hotels, Turkey – £1,035pp
I found a 28-night deal at Oludeniz Beach Resort, all inclusive, for just £2,070, which works out at just £1,035 per person.
October in Oludeniz sits around 24 degrees, and the setting does a lot of the work for you — mountains, coastline, and one of the best beaches in Turkey. This is less about staying in one place and more about having everything on your doorstep.
The hotel covers all the essentials with food, drinks, and facilities, but you have a lot to explore locally as well, which makes it well-suited to a longer stay. At £2,070 for two people, it’s still under the average UK living costs, but you are getting far more back for it.
Laico Hammamet, Tunisia – £1,045pp
I found a 28-night deal at Laico Hammamet, all inclusive, for just £2,090, which works out at just £1,045 per person.
Hammamet stays around 24 degrees in October, so it is warm without being overwhelming. This is where you start to notice the step up into five-star.
The spaces are bigger, the finish is cleaner, and the overall feel is more relaxed and considered. You still get the full all-inclusive setup, but with a bit more comfort built in.
At £2,090 for two people, it is effectively matching UK living costs, but with a very different standard of day-to-day life.
Sun Star Beach Hotel, Turkey – £1,050pp
I found a 28-night deal at Sun Star Beach Hotel, all inclusive, for £2,100, which works out at £1,050 per person.
Alanya sits around 25 degrees in October, so you are still getting reliably warm days throughout your stay.
This is a simpler, more no-fuss hotel that does exactly what it needs to -food and drinks are included, there is a pool and beach access, and WiFi is available.
At £2,100 for two people, it still stacks up against what most couples are paying to stay at home.
Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour, Tunisia – £1,080pp
I found a 28-night deal at Iberostar Selection Royal El Mansour, all inclusive, for just £2,160 which works out at just £1,080 per person.
Mahdia sits at around 24 degrees in October, and tends to feel a bit quieter than some of the bigger resorts. Iberostar is one of those brands I trust from experience.
The food is consistently good, the service is well organised, and the overall standard is reliable.
That becomes more important the longer you stay, because small things add up. At £2,160 for two people, you are right in line with UK costs, but with everything taken care of.
Tiana Beach Resort, Turkey – £1,090pp
I found a 28-night deal at Tiana Beach Resort, all inclusive, for just £2,180, which works out at just £1,090 per person.
Bodrum sits around 24 degrees in October, which makes it one of the more comfortable climates for a longer stay. This hotel leans more towards a slower pace.
It is compact, easy to get around, and everything you need is included without it feeling over-complicated.
Food, drinks, Wi-Fi and facilities are all covered, which makes it easy to switch off properly. At £2,180 for two people, it is effectively on par with UK living costs.
Dosi Hotel, Turkey – £1,105pp
I found a 28-night deal at Dosi Hotel, all inclusive, for just £2,210, which works out at just £1,105 per person.
Side stays warm at around 25 degrees in October, so you are still very much in summer territory.
This is a classic all-inclusive setup that leans into simplicity.
Everything is in one place, food and drinks are always available, and there is enough going on to keep things interesting without needing to plan anything.
At £2,210 for two people, it sits just above the bare minimum UK monthly costs.
But when you consider not having to cook and no surprise takeaway costs, this becomes a total no-brainer.