The UK’s 10 cheapest cities for renters right now, according to Rightmove

If you are or have ever been a renter in the UK, you won’t need reminding that it’s pretty ugly out there – and we aren’t just talking about mould and 30-year old carpet stains. People are struggling with prohibitively high rents all over the UK, but especially in major cities like London.

It’s not all doom-and-gloom, though. Good old Rightmove has done the research on where’s cheapest at the moment, comparing average monthly rents across more than 50 British cities. The company has identified the places where rents fall below the national average by the most significant percentage. 

And the big reveal? If you’re a bargain-rent-hunter, you’d better head to Carlisle. Rental payments are at their lowest in the northwestern cathedral city, lower than any other town in England, Scotland or Wales. As of August 2024, Carlisle’s renters pay an average of £791 per month. That’s 41 per cent below the national average, and less than one third of what you can expect to pay in St Albans – the most expensive town for renters outside London. 

If Carlisle tempts you, you’ll be happy to know there’s more to the city than value-for-money and the cooler temps we associate with the north. The city itself is more than 2,000 years old, home to a World Heritage Site and a coastal walk away from two Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Coming in second for affordability is Hull, where the average rent is £804 per month. Third place goes to Sunderland by a tiny margin – the northeastern city’s renters pay around £807 monthly. 

The UK’s top 10 cheapest places to rent, according to Rightmove

1. Carlisle
2. Hull
3. Sunderland
4. Stoke-On-Trent
5. Wrexham
6. Bradford
7. Preston
8. Doncaster
9. Lancaster
10. Wakefield

To find out more about where you’ll get the most (and least) bang for your buck, check out Rightmove’s full article here. 

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