Liverpool drivers face the 7th greatest financial loss for commuters on UK roads

HAVE you ever thought about the hidden financial impact of commuter cost on your daily commute? As inflation in early 2026 reaches:- 3.8%, rising from:- 3.6% in July 2025, many households across the United Kingdom are re-evaluating their monthly expenditures. A significant yet often overlooked drain on personal finances is the hidden cost of the daily commute. A comprehensive study by Beck Evans, which analysed 29 major UK Cities, has identified that traffic delays are costing:- workers thousands of pounds in lost time and productivity each year.

The research indicates that Cambridge is the most expensive City in the United Kingdom for commuters. Drivers in Cambridge lose approximately:- 3.47 per commute, resulting in an annual financial hit of:- 1,806.14 based on an average of:- 9 minutes and 54 seconds spent in stationary traffic during every journey. Manchester follows closely as the 2nd most expensive City, while Liverpool currently ranks as the 7th most impacted.

The following data highlights the 10 Cities where the financial burden of traffic is most severe. The figures represent the value of time lost based on average local wages and the duration of traffic delays:-

• Cambridge - Commuters lose:- 2 minutes and 4 seconds in traffic per 1 kilometre, equating to:- £3.47 per commute and £1,806.14 annually.
  

• Manchester - With the longest delay per kilometre at:- 2 minutes and 14 seconds, drivers lose:- £3.38 per commute, totaling £1,759.49 per year.
  

• Bradford - Drivers lose:- 2 minutes and 4 seconds per kilometre, costing:- £3.21 per commute and £1,668.47 annually.
  

• Coventry - Traffic adds:- 1 minute and 38 seconds per kilometre, resulting in a loss of:- £3.20 per commute and £1,665.87 annually.
  

• London - Despite its size, the capital sees 1 minute and 58 seconds lost per kilometre, costing:- £3.12 per commute and £1,622.13 annually.
  

• Portsmouth - Commuters lose 1:- minute and 38 seconds per kilometre, with financial losses of:- £2.98 per commute and £1,550.09 annually.
  

• Liverpool - Drivers lose 1:- minute and 46 seconds per kilometre, which equates to:- £2.92 per commute and £1,517.64 annually.
  

• Swansea - Losses stand at 1 minute and 31 seconds per kilometre, costing:- £2.88 per commute and £1,497.53 annually.
  

• Nottingham - Traffic adds 1 minute and 50 seconds per kilometre, resulting in:- £2.86 lost per commute and £1,489.62 annually.
  

• Southampton - Commuters lose 1:- minute and 43 seconds per kilometre, costing:- £2.85 per commute and £1,481.57 annually.

Sam Evans, Director of Beck Evans, commented on the findings:- "Traffic congestion is not just a London problem. Cities like Cambridge, Manchester and Bradford see greater financial impact than the capital. This may be surprising to many who assume London has the worst traffic conditions in the UK. Many people focus solely on time lost in traffic, but the financial aspect is equally important. Someone in Cambridge losing over 1,800 annually could use that money for a holiday, home improvements, or savings. What these findings really highlight is the hidden cost of commuting, which many people don't factor into their calculations. While fuel and vehicle costs are obvious, the value of your time is just as important to consider. Commuters in high-impact Cities might want to consider alternatives like public transport, cycling, or discussing flexible working hours with their employers. Even minor adjustments to commuting patterns can lead to significant financial savings over the course of a year."

In 2026, the North West serves as a prime example of the differing costs between both major urban hubs:- Manchester and Liverpool present very different financial landscapes for both drivers and those using public transport.

Manchester commuters face the 2nd highest financial loss in the United Kingdom. To combat this, Mayor Andy Burnham has committed to a fare freeze throughout 2026, maintaining the:- £2 bus fare cap. An AnyBus 28 day ticket in Manchester costs:- £80, which averages to roughly:- £3.80 per day. When compared to the:- £6.76 lost daily in time value by drivers, taking the bus saves a Manchester resident nearly:- £3 per day in "time value" alone.

Liverpool drivers lose:- £2.92 per commute, or £5.84 per day. The Merseytravel Trio Ticket for 1 zone costs approximately 82.05 per month, averaging:- 3.90 per day. While this makes public transport nearly:- £2 cheaper than the time value lost by driving, the gap in Liverpool is smaller than in Manchester. This makes the decision to drive more tempting for those in Liverpool, especially when combined with the City's lower parking rates.

Manchester is currently 1 of the most expensive Cities for parking in England outside of London. On street parking in Zone 1 costs:- £4 per hour, and major multi storey car parks like NCP Manchester Central can charge:- £33 for a 24 hour stay. Residential permits in the Manchester City Center are also among the highest in the country, ranging from:- £5000 to £750 per year.

In contrast, Liverpool is a:- "value" City for parking. Council run surface lots often cap daily rates at:- £11. Budget options like the:- St Johns Shopping Center who offer all day parking for:- £6.50 for registered users, while KingPark on Kings Dock Street charges only £10 for 24 hours. However, Liverpool does have specific "traps," such as:- the penalty rates at:- Liverpool Lime Street, where short stay parking can reach a staggering:- £455 for a 24 hour period to discourage long term use!

For those entering Manchester, the Bee Network remains the most logical financial choice, as daily parking costs of:- £21 or more are over 5 times the cost of a daily travel pass. In Liverpool, the difference is less pronounced; a:- £6.50 parking fee at a budget lot is only slightly more than a daily public transport ticket, meaning the car remains a highly competitive option for Liverpool residents.

Category	Manchester (Avg)	Liverpool (Avg)	England Highest
City Centre (24h)	£28.00 – £35.00	£13.50 – £18.00	Cambridge - £8.40/hr
Budget/App Rate	£18.00 (NCP App)	£6.50 (St Johns)
Airport Drop-off	£5 (5 mins)	£6 (10 mins)	Gatwick - £10/10 mins
Station Penalty		£455 (Lime Street)	Leeds Station (£455)

The direct cost of fuel continues to fluctuate, with petrol averaging £1.44 per litre in early 2026. When calculating the cost per mile, vehicle choice plays a massive role in the total expense of a commute:-

• Petrol:- 13p to 17p per mile (based on 36 miles per gallon)
  

• Diesel:- 12p to 16p per mile (based on 43 miles per gallon)
  

• Electric (EV):- 7p to 9p per mile (using home charging rates)
  

• Hydrogen:- 20p per mile (based on a fuel cost of 13.00 per kilogram)

While Electric Vehicles remain the most cost effective per mile, the adoption of hydrogen as a green alternative is hampered by a lack of infrastructure. Most hydrogen investment for 2026 is focused on heavy duty transport corridors rather than passenger car refuelling, making it difficult for the average commuter to benefit from this technology.

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