15 Affordable UK Cities With Lower Rent Than London

Finding affordable UK cities can make a significant difference to your monthly budget, particularly if you are comparing rental costs with London. However, “affordable” is relative: a city may be considerably cheaper than London while still having rents above the UK average.

According to the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the average UK private rent was £1,393 per month in July 2026, while the average in London reached £2,317 per month. That means renters looking beyond the capital can potentially find substantial savings, although prices vary by neighbourhood, property size and type.

Rather than simply describing these destinations as cheap, we have compared the latest available rental figures for 15 UK cities with the London average.

2026 UK Rent Comparison

Data date: July 2026. Source: Office for National Statistics, Price Index of Private Rents.

Manchester, Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham, Bristol, Southampton, Cardiff, Coventry and Hull figures are based on ONS local-area rental statistics.

*For Scotland, ONS rental statistics are reported using Broad Rental Market Areas. Glasgow uses Greater Glasgow, Edinburgh uses Lothian, and Aberdeen uses Aberdeen and Shire. Scottish rent data are also mainly based on advertised new lets, so direct comparisons should be treated with appropriate caution.

15 Affordable UK Cities to Consider

1. Manchester

Manchester remains considerably less expensive to rent in than London, although it is no longer accurate to describe it simply as a low-cost rental market.

The average monthly private rent in Manchester reached £1,365 in July 2026, compared with £2,317 across London. That represents a difference of around £952 per month.

Manchester remains attractive for renters wanting a major city environment, extensive entertainment options, universities and strong transport connections without paying typical London rental prices.

RentWizz internal link: Search Manchester rentals on RentWizz.

2. Birmingham

With an average private rent of approximately £1,093 per month, Birmingham was around £1,224 cheaper than London based on July 2026 averages.

As one of the UK’s largest cities, Birmingham offers a wide range of neighbourhoods and property types. Renters can choose between busy central areas and more residential locations depending on their budget and lifestyle.

RentWizz internal link: Find properties to rent in Birmingham.

3. Glasgow

The Greater Glasgow Broad Rental Market Area recorded an average monthly rent of approximately £1,264 in July 2026.

That remains substantially below London’s £2,317 average. However, availability, location and property size can produce significant differences within the wider Glasgow rental market.

Glasgow combines city-centre living with established residential neighbourhoods, universities and a well-known cultural and music scene.

RentWizz internal link: Explore Glasgow rental properties.

4. Leeds

Average private rent in Leeds stood at approximately £1,140 per month in July 2026, around 51% below the London average.

Leeds offers renters a major regional city with shopping, restaurants, universities and extensive employment areas while maintaining average rents well below those in the capital.

Areas close to the centre can command higher prices, so comparing different neighbourhoods remains important.

RentWizz internal link: Search for rental properties in Leeds.

5. Liverpool

Liverpool is one of the stronger examples on this list when comparing average rents with London.

ONS figures put the city’s average private rent at around £909 per month in July 2026. This was approximately £1,408 below the London average.

Its waterfront, cultural attractions, universities and different residential neighbourhoods provide renters with a broad range of options.

RentWizz internal link: Browse Liverpool rentals on RentWizz.

6. Sheffield

Sheffield recorded an average private rent of approximately £929 per month in July 2026.

This puts the city around 60% below London’s average rental figure, although individual properties can naturally cost considerably more or less.

Sheffield may appeal particularly to renters wanting access to a major city while remaining close to extensive parks, green spaces and the Peak District.

RentWizz internal link: Find rental properties in Sheffield.

7. Newcastle upon Tyne

Average rent in Newcastle upon Tyne reached approximately £1,207 per month in July 2026.

Although that remains around £1,110 below London, Newcastle recorded strong annual rental growth, so renters should always check current listings rather than relying solely on historical perceptions of affordability.

The city offers a compact centre, universities, cultural venues and easy access to other parts of the North East.

RentWizz internal link: Search Newcastle rental properties.

8. Nottingham

Nottingham’s average monthly private rent stood at approximately £1,011 in July 2026, according to ONS figures.

That is around £1,306 less than the London average, making the city worth considering for renters comparing alternative locations.

Nottingham combines a busy centre with several surrounding residential districts, giving renters different options depending on commuting requirements and budget.

RentWizz internal link: Browse Nottingham properties to rent.

9. Edinburgh

Edinburgh is an important example of why “cheaper than London” should not automatically be interpreted as “cheap”.

The Lothian Broad Rental Market Area, which includes Edinburgh, averaged approximately £1,415 per month in July 2026. This was still about £902 below London, but above the overall UK average of £1,393.

Demand can also increase around popular locations and particular times of year.

For renters who value historic surroundings, major cultural events and city-centre amenities, Edinburgh remains an attractive option — but budgeting carefully is essential.

RentWizz internal link: Explore rental properties in Edinburgh.

10. Bristol

Bristol is the most expensive destination among the 15 locations in this comparison.

Its average private rent reached approximately £1,880 per month in July 2026, considerably above the overall UK average. However, that was still around £437 per month below London.

Therefore, Bristol is better described as less expensive than London rather than an inexpensive rental city.

Its creative industries, independent businesses, universities and distinctive neighbourhoods continue to make it popular with renters.

RentWizz internal link: Search Bristol rentals on RentWizz.

11. Southampton

Southampton’s average private rent reached approximately £1,255 per month in July 2026.

That represents a difference of roughly £1,062 per month compared with the London average.

The city can be particularly attractive to renters looking for south-coast living, access to major transport routes and employment linked to the maritime, university and wider service sectors.

RentWizz internal link: Find properties to rent in Southampton.

12. Cardiff

The Welsh capital recorded an average monthly private rent of approximately £1,169 in July 2026.

That was around £1,148 below London’s average and approximately £326 above the overall Wales average of £843.

Cardiff offers a compact city centre alongside numerous residential areas, making it possible to compare different neighbourhoods depending on budget, transport and lifestyle priorities.

RentWizz internal link: Browse Cardiff rental properties.

13. Aberdeen

The Aberdeen and Shire Broad Rental Market Area had an average monthly rent of approximately £846 in July 2026.

That is substantially below London’s £2,317 average and also below the overall UK monthly average.

However, because the ONS uses a broader rental market area for Scottish rental statistics, the figure should not be interpreted as the exact average for every property within Aberdeen city itself.

RentWizz internal link: Search Aberdeen rentals.

14. Coventry

Coventry’s average private rent was approximately £1,019 per month in July 2026.

Compared with London, that represents an average difference of around £1,298 each month.

Its central location and transport connections can make Coventry worth considering for renters who want access to other parts of the Midlands without paying London-level rent.

RentWizz internal link: Find rental properties in Coventry.

15. Hull

Hull — officially Kingston upon Hull — recorded the lowest average monthly rent among the locations included in this comparison.

ONS data shows an average private rent of approximately £691 per month in July 2026, compared with £2,317 in London.

That represents a difference of approximately £1,626 per month, although Hull also experienced noticeable annual rental growth. Renters should therefore compare current available properties rather than assume prices will remain unchanged.

The city’s waterfront, museums and residential neighbourhoods make it an option worth investigating for renters prioritising lower housing costs.

RentWizz internal link: Browse properties to rent in Hull.

Is Moving Outside London Really Cheaper?

Rental cost is only one part of the decision.

A property outside London may have a substantially lower monthly rent, but renters should also consider:

• commuting and transport costs;

• salary differences between locations;

• council tax;

• energy costs;

• property size and condition;

• proximity to work or university;

• local amenities;

• deposit requirements; and

• whether the property is shared or rented individually.

For example, Bristol’s average rent of £1,880 is below London’s £2,317, but it remains considerably higher than averages in Liverpool, Sheffield or Hull.

This is why comparing actual properties — rather than relying on general claims about an entire city being affordable — is essential.

How to Find Affordable UK Cities and Rental Properties

Once you have identified several affordable UK cities that suit your needs, compare individual listings rather than focusing only on city-wide averages.

Property size can have a major effect on rent. Across the UK, the ONS reported an average rent of £1,132 for a one-bedroom property in July 2026, compared with £2,067 for properties with four or more bedrooms.

You may also find that moving a few miles away from a city centre produces considerably different rental options.

Use RentWizz property search to compare available rooms, flats and houses, filter potential properties and explore different locations before deciding where to live.

You may also find these RentWizz guides useful:

• Smart Ways to Save Money on Rent and Living Costs

• First Time Renters: Top Tips

• Long-Distance Relocation: A Seamless Moving Guide

• Avoid Rental Scams in the UK

• Affordable London Rentals: Top 15 Neighbourhoods

Final Thoughts

London remains by far the most expensive rental market in this comparison, with average private rent reaching £2,317 per month in July 2026.

However, the figures also demonstrate why renters should be careful with the word “affordable”. Bristol and Edinburgh, for example, remain cheaper than London but have substantially higher average rents than Liverpool, Sheffield, Aberdeen or Hull.

The best approach is to use current rental data as a starting point, compare individual properties and consider your total monthly living costs before relocating.

Whether you are considering Manchester, Cardiff, Glasgow, Liverpool or another UK city, RentWizz can help you explore available rental properties and compare your options before making your next move.

Rental figures are based on ONS Price Index of Private Rents data for July 2026 and may be revised. Individual asking rents and available RentWizz listings will vary by location, property type, size and condition.