Guernsey, one of the Channel Islands, is a self-governing British dependency. Guernsey is the second largest island of the Channel Islands and attracts people from all over the world for its historic castles, quaint villages, sandy coves and mild climate. The island is also enjoyed for its high standard of living and low crime levels.
If you are considering moving to Guernsey, the various costs listed below will help you make an informed decision on what costs are involved when moving and living in this part of the world.
Quick Guernsey Facts:
- Population: 63,823 (2022 estimate)
- Official Language:The official language of Guernsey is English, although you may also hear people speaking French and Guernésiais (a Norman dialect).
- GDP Per Capita:£52,531
- Blue Post Box: In 1980 all of Guernsey’s red post boxes were painted blue to distinguish them from those in the UK which are all red.
- Currency: Great Britain Pound (GPB/£). As of 2023, £1 = $1.12 (USD); €1.15; $1.54 (CAD), and $1.77 (AUD).
1. Moving and Shipping Costs to Guernsey
Here are some sample container shipping costs to Guernsey from the UK and other countries.
2. Guernsey Housing Costs
There is a wide range of housing available in Guernsey, from traditional houses and apartments in the capital to more rural properties further out. Prices can be high, especially in St. Peter Port, but there are usually plenty of options to suit all budgets.
Monthly Rental Prices in Guernsey
- 1 bedroom apartment in City Centre: £950.00 – £1,600.00
- 1 bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: £650.00 – £1,400.00
- 3-bedroom apartment in City Centre: £1,900.00 – £3,000.00
- 3-bedroom apartment outside the City Centre: £1,900.00 – £2,800.00
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy in City Centre: £4,027.39 – £5,909.00
- Price per square metre (10.7 square feet) to buy outside City: £2,727.00 – £3,767.37
Source: Numbeo
Guernsey Housing Cost Comparison
Below are how rents in Guernsey compare with other countries around the globe.
United Kingdom is 34.68% cheaper
United States is 5.37% more expensive
Canada is 25.68% cheaper
Australia is 25.12% cheaper
France is 46.98% cheaper
Spain is 54.62% cheaper
Italy is 56.85% cheaper
Germany is 45.24% cheaper
Source: Numbeo
How to Save on Housing Costs
- Share an apartment or house. Sharing a flat or room with a room or flatmate can be one of the best options to save on housing costs. Have a look at these websites for suggestions – Spare Room, Facebook, Roommate Nation, Find Flat Mates, and Flatmate.
- Different areas – different prices. Guernsey is a very expensive country to live in, especially when it comes to property. Over half of Guernsey’s residents have moved to the country from various parts of the world. This makes it an interesting country with diverse and exciting neighbourhoods.
3. Guernsey Food, Grocery and Restaurant Costs
There’s a good choice of shops selling food in Guernsey, from large supermarkets to local markets and independent shops. Prices are generally high, and few bargains are to be had but the selection of food is excellent. The island is also home to a number of top class restaurants, offering everything from fresh seafood to traditional Guernsey dishes.
- Inexpensive Restaurant- £10.00 – £25.00
- Domestic beer: £2.80 – £5.00
- Coke/Pepsi: £1.20 – £2.50
- 1L of milk: £1.05 – £1.85
- Loaf of Bread: £1.10 – £2.00
- 12 Eggs: £2.40 – £4.60
- 1kg Chicken Fillets: £2.39 -£10.00
- 1kg Beef: £10.00 – £28.00
- 1kg Apples: £2.00 – £6.00
- 1kg White Rice: £1.34 – £2.66
Source: Numbeo
This is how restaurants and food prices compare with other countries in the world.
- UKrestaurants are 28% cheaper and groceries are 28.62% cheaper than in Guernsey.
- United States restaurants are 47% more expensive and groceries are 11.82% more expensive than in Guernsey.
- Canadian restaurants are 67% cheaper and groceries are 0.41% cheaper in Guernsey.
- Australian restaurants are 40% cheaper and groceries are 5.38% more expensive than in Guernsey.
- French restaurants are 32% cheaper and groceries are 5.82% cheaper than in Guernsey.
- Spanish restaurants are 45% cheaper and groceries are 40.64% cheaper than in Guernsey.
- Italian restaurants are 21% cheaper and groceries are 24.55% cheaper than in Guernsey.
- Germanrestaurants are 36% cheaper and groceries are 26.81% cheaper than in Guernsey.
Source: Numbeo
Bonus Tips for Cheaper Food, Restaurants and Groceries
- Know your supermarkets: Guernsey’s supermarkets are generally the same as the UK mainland – Waitrose and Sainsbury’s are more upmarket and expensive than Aldi and Morrisons but they do have a wider range of foods available.
- Find Cheap Eats:Ask residents of Guernsey where they go for cheap eats. Plus have look at these sites for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Wanderlog and Zomato.
4. Guernsey Alcohol Costs
Guernsey has a lively drinking and nightlife scene, with something to suit all tastes. There are plenty of bars and pubs to choose from, as well as a number of nightclubs. The island also has its own brewery, the Island Brewery, which produces a range of locally made beer.
- Bottle of imported beer at a restaurant/pub: £4.00 – £5.50
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a restaurant/pub: £2.80 – £5.00
- Pint (0.5L) domestic beer at a supermarket: £1.20 – £2.50
- Bottle of imported beer at a supermarket: £1.00 – £2.09
- Mid-range bottle of wine at a supermarket: £5.86 – £10.00
Source: Numbeo
How to drink for less in Guernsey
- Ask local residents for tips on where to go for cheaper drinks in Guernsey. Look online and read local newspapers and flyers to see if any of the pubs and clubs are advertising.
- Many restaurants and bars on the island have after-work happy hours where drinks you can usually find half price drinks. Have a look at the following sites for suggestions – Yelp and Visit Guernsey.
5. Guernsey Transportation Fares
Guernsey is a small island, so getting around is relatively easy. The main form of public transport is the bus, which runs between most towns and villages. There’s also a limited rail service which is for tourism only. You can hire motorbikes and bicycles for greater flexibility and fun on the island.
Below are some example ticket costs.
- One-way ticket (Local transport): £1.00 – £1.50
- Monthly Pass, (Regular Price): £25.00 – £59.03
- Taxi start (normal tariff): £3.00 – £6.00
- Taxi 1km (normal tariff): £1.25 – £2.00
Source: Numbeo
How to save money on public transport:
- There is a one-day pass at £5 for hop on hop off bus journey and £2 for a single journey which can be money-saving for occasional trips
- Hiring bikes and bicycles is a great way to see the island
- You can also walk as the island is compact
6. Cost of Internet in Guernsey
Guernsey has a superfast fibre internet network on the island.
7. Cost of Clothing, Personal Items, Gym and Leisure
Guernsey has a temperate climate, with mild weather year-round. The average temperature is 17C. Winter temperatures average between 10C and 15C and summer temperatures are between 20C and 25C degrees. Guernsey’s average rainfall is 1,000mm, with January being the wettest month.
Below are some clothing prices, together with other useful prices.
- Pair of Jeans (Levi’s 501 or similar): £30.00 – £85.00
- Summer Dress: £20.00 – £36.67
- Running Shoes (Trainers): £55.00 – £80.00
- Business Shoes: £40.00 – £100.00
- Gym membership: £30.00 – £110.00
- Movie (cinema) ticket: £5.50 – £10.00
- Short Doctor’s visit (15 mins): £117
- Deodorant: £3.50
- Shampoo: £3.75
- Toilet Paper (4 rolls): £2.27
Source: Numbeo and Expatistan
8. Cost of Owning a Car and Driving a Car in Guernsey
If you’re planning to move to Guernsey, you’ll need to decide whether or not to bring your car with you. If you do decide to bring your car, there are a few things to consider. You need to register your car with the Guernsey Registry within 48 hours of arrival – £50. Once your car is registered, you’ll be issued with a Guernsey number plate. You’ll obviously also need to insure your car. Finally, you’ll need to pay road tax which is £35 per year for cars with engines up to 1,500cc and £85 per year for larger engines.
Here are some other sample costs of owning and operating a car in Guernsey:
- Volkswagen Golf:£22,000.00 – £23,300.00
- 1 litre (¼ gallon) of gas (petrol): £1.18 – £1.50
- Other fees (if any):The average monthly cost of driving a small four seater car in Guernsey is £435 which includes fuel, maintenance, road tax, insurance and depreciation.
Ways to save money driving in Guernsey
- Car sharing or pooling is one of the best options to save money but, as Guernsey is a small island, the idea hasn’t caught on yet.
- Taxis are often cheaper options for short-distance trips, especially if you are parking all day. Refer to these websites for suggestions – Visit Guernsey and Taxis in Guernsey. Note that Uber is not operating in Guernsey at the moment.
Need your car/vehicle moved to Guernsey? Then read our guide to Car Transport & Vehicle Shipping
9. Taxes in Guernsey
The personal tax rate in Guernsey is a flat rate of 20% on your net income. See KPMG for detailed information). There’s no tax payable on capital gains, inheritance or gifts. There is no VAT in Guernsey.
10. Flight Costs from Guernsey
If you do make the move to Guernsey, here’s approximately how much it will cost to fly to other major world cities based on the lowest, one-way fares from Skyscanner as of early 2023:
- London: £32
- Paris: £45
- New York: £280
- Toronto: £318
- Sydney: £490
- Berlin: £44
- Rome: £38
Other Guernsey Relocation Tips
The above costs and pricing should give you a good idea of the cost of living in Guernsey. But perhaps the following extra tips will make your move go smoothly.
11. Relocating to Guernsey Alone
Moving is stressful but moving alone can be exceptionally difficult. Guernsey and its friendly people will help you ease into your new life. Below are a few tips about settling in Guernsey.
- Meetups:Join Meetup groups that enjoy the same activities you do.
- Attend local events: Have a look at the following sites to join in the fun on Guernsey – Visit Guernsey, I Explore, Guernsey Travel, Eventbrite, and Guernsey Diary.
12. Moving to Guernsey with a Family
Moving abroad with a family is exciting but has many challenges. If you are moving to Guernsey with a family, consider the following.
- New parents (or parents to be):Connect with people in the same position as you through Guernsey with Kids, Nurturing Birth and Beyond and Bright Beginnings.
- Live in a family-friendly area: Everywhere on Guernsey is family-friendly.
- Find things to do with the kids:Guernsey has many things for kids to do. Have a look at the following website for inspiration – Trip Advisor, Guernsey with Kids, Day Out with the Kids, Inspirock, and Savoteur.
13. Moving to Guernsey for Work
Moving to a new country for work is one of the most common reasons people choose to move. While it is possible to move without a job, it makes sense to ensure there are jobs in your field before you make the move. There are jobs available in the financial sector, education, healthcare, tourism and retail.
Below are a few things to consider when moving for work:
- Salary:The costs we outlined above should give you a rough idea, how much more you’ll want to be making to make the move worthwhile. You can also check salary ranges on Payscale.
- How to find work:
14. Moving to Guernsey from Australia
There are a few Aussies living on Guernsey. If you are moving from Australia to Guernsey and want to meet fellow Australians, then consider the following.
- Size comparison:Australia is 99,246 times bigger than Guernsey. The population of Australia is 25,739,000 and Guernsey is a mere 63,823.
- Join expat groups: Connect with fellow Australians in Guernsey through MeetUp, Internationsand Facebook.
15. Moving to Guernsey from Canada
There are a small number of Canadians living and working on Guernsey. If you’re moving from Canada and want to meet fellow Canadians, then below are a few things to consider.
- Size:Canada is 128,009 times bigger than Guernsey. The population of Canada is 38,246,000 whereas Guernsey’s is a mere 63,823.
- Expat groups:Connect with fellow Canadians in Guernsey through MeetUp and Internations.
16. Moving to Guernsey from the United Kingdom
If you are moving to Guernsey from the UK mainland then consider the following:
- Size: The UK is 3,123 times bigger than Guernsey. The population of the UK is 67,327,000 whereas the population of Guernsey is only 63,823.
- Expat groups:Connect with fellow Brits in Guernsey through MeetUp and Internations.
Hopefully, the tips and costs above are helpful. If want to get started pricing out how much it will cost you to move to Guernsey you can start by comparing moving quotes here.
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