15 Affordable UK Cities With Lower Rent Than London

Finding affordable UK cities can make a major difference to your monthly housing budget, particularly if you are comparing rental costs with London.

However, “affordable” is relative. Some cities remain considerably cheaper than London while still costing more than the UK average.

According to the Office for National Statistics, average UK private rent reached £1,393 per month in July 2026, while the London average reached £2,317.

That means renters who are flexible about location may find substantial savings elsewhere in the UK.

This guide compares 15 cities and rental markets using the latest available ONS figures, while also looking at transport, neighbourhoods and the wider cost of living.

2026 UK Rent Comparison

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

*Scottish figures use the relevant Broad Rental Market Area rather than an exact city-only boundary, so they should be treated as broader market indicators.

1. Manchester

Manchester remains considerably cheaper to rent in than London, although it is no longer realistic to describe it as one of Britain’s cheapest rental markets.

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

Manchester may appeal to renters looking for:

• a major-city lifestyle;

• universities;

• employment opportunities;

• restaurants and nightlife;

• extensive public transport; and

• access to other parts of the North West.

Different parts of Greater Manchester can have very different rental markets, so compare individual neighbourhoods rather than relying only on the city-wide figure.

Search Manchester rentals on RentWizz

2. Birmingham

Average private rent in Birmingham stood at approximately £1,093 per month in July 2026, around £1,224 below London.

As one of the UK’s largest cities, Birmingham offers renters a broad range of areas, from central apartments to quieter residential neighbourhoods.

When comparing locations, consider transport as well as rent.

A property that costs slightly more but offers a short, simple commute may provide better overall value than a cheaper home requiring expensive daily travel.

Find properties to rent in Birmingham

3. Glasgow

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

That remains substantially below London’s £2,317 average.

Glasgow offers:

• universities;

• major employment areas;

• shopping;

• restaurants;

• music and cultural venues; and

• a wide variety of residential neighbourhoods.

Because the rental figure covers a wider market area, do not assume £1,264 represents the exact asking rent for every property in Glasgow.

Compare current listings in the individual areas that interest you.

Explore Glasgow rental properties

4. Leeds

Average private rent in Leeds reached approximately £1,140 per month in July 2026.

That was around 51% below the London average.

Leeds combines the amenities of a major regional city with:

• universities;

• shopping;

• restaurants;

• entertainment;

• major employment centres; and

• connections across Yorkshire.

Rental prices can vary considerably between the city centre and surrounding neighbourhoods.

Look at several areas before deciding where to rent.

Search for rental properties in Leeds

5. Liverpool

Liverpool recorded an average private rent of approximately £909 per month.

That was around £1,408 below London’s monthly average, making Liverpool one of the stronger affordability examples in this comparison.

The city offers a mixture of:

• waterfront living;

• established residential areas;

• universities;

• cultural attractions;

• shopping; and

• connections across Merseyside.

Individual asking rents will still depend heavily on property size, condition and exact location.

Browse Liverpool rentals on RentWizz

6. Sheffield

Average private rent in Sheffield stood at approximately £929 per month in July 2026.

That was around 60% below London’s average rent.

Sheffield may appeal particularly to renters who want city amenities while also having convenient access to parks, countryside and the Peak District.

When comparing neighbourhoods, consider:

• commute;

• public transport;

• local shops;

• green space;

• broadband; and

• the facilities you use regularly.

Find rental properties in Sheffield

7. Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne recorded average private rent of approximately £1,207 per month.

That was around £1,110 below London.

The city offers:

• universities;

• cultural venues;

• shopping;

• nightlife;

• employment;

• and a relatively compact central area.

Rental prices have been changing, so avoid relying on older assumptions that Newcastle will automatically be very cheap.

Always compare current properties.

Search Newcastle rental properties

8. Nottingham

Average monthly private rent in Nottingham reached approximately £1,011 in July 2026.

That was around £1,306 below London’s average.

Nottingham combines a busy centre with a range of surrounding residential areas.

When comparing neighbourhoods, consider:

• transport to work or university;

• local amenities;

• rent;

• journey times; and

• monthly travel costs.

A lower rental price provides limited benefit if the location creates an expensive or difficult daily routine.

Browse Nottingham properties to rent

9. Edinburgh

Edinburgh demonstrates why cheaper than London should not automatically be interpreted as cheap.

The Lothian Broad Rental Market Area, which includes Edinburgh, recorded average rent of approximately £1,415 per month.

That was around £902 below London but slightly above the overall UK average.

Edinburgh remains popular for:

• historic surroundings;

• employment;

• universities;

• cultural attractions;

• restaurants; and

• major events.

Demand can be particularly strong in popular areas, so compare actual current listings rather than assuming that moving away from London will automatically result in low rent.

Explore rental properties in Edinburgh

10. Bristol

Bristol is the most expensive destination in this comparison.

Average private rent reached approximately £1,880 per month, around £437 below London.

Bristol is therefore better described as less expensive than London rather than genuinely low-cost.

The city remains popular because of its:

• employment opportunities;

• universities;

• creative industries;

• independent businesses;

• restaurants; and

• distinctive neighbourhoods.

If affordability is your main priority, compare Bristol carefully with lower-cost options such as Liverpool, Sheffield, Aberdeen and Hull.

Search Bristol rentals on RentWizz

11. Southampton

Average private rent in Southampton reached approximately £1,255 per month.

That was around £1,062 lower than London.

Southampton may appeal to renters interested in south-coast living alongside:

• universities;

• major transport connections;

• maritime employment;

• service-sector jobs; and

• access to surrounding Hampshire.

Before relocating, compare housing costs with salary, transport requirements and other regular expenses.

Find properties to rent in Southampton

12. Cardiff

Average private rent in Cardiff reached approximately £1,169 per month in July 2026.

That was around £1,148 below London’s average.

Cardiff combines a relatively compact centre with numerous surrounding residential neighbourhoods.

Compare areas based on:

• commute;

• university access;

• public transport;

• shops;

• green space;

• rent; and

• overall lifestyle.

Remember that Welsh rental law differs from England’s tenancy system, so use Wales-specific legal guidance when renting there.

Browse Cardiff rental properties

13. Aberdeen

The Aberdeen and Shire Broad Rental Market Area recorded an average monthly rent of approximately £846.

That was considerably below both London and the overall UK average.

However, because the figure covers a wider Scottish rental market area, it should not be interpreted as the exact average for every property within Aberdeen itself.

Aberdeen may be worth considering if lower housing costs are important, but also investigate:

• employment opportunities;

• transport;

• exact neighbourhood;

• property availability; and

• the total cost of living.

Search Aberdeen rentals on RentWizz

14. Coventry

Average private rent in Coventry stood at approximately £1,019 per month.

Compared with London, that represents a difference of roughly £1,298 each month.

Coventry’s Midlands location may appeal to renters who want access to Birmingham and other employment centres without paying London-level rental costs.

However, calculate commuting time and cost carefully.

A cheaper property can quickly become less attractive if you spend a large amount travelling every day.

Find rental properties in Coventry

15. Hull

Hull — officially Kingston upon Hull — recorded the lowest average rent of the 15 locations in this comparison.

Average private rent stood at approximately £691 per month in July 2026.

That was around £1,626 below London’s average monthly rent.

Lower city-wide rent does not mean every property will be inexpensive.

Property:

• size;

• exact location;

• condition;

• furnishing; and

• demand

will still affect individual asking rents.

Hull may nevertheless be worth investigating for renters whose main priority is reducing housing costs.

Browse properties to rent in Hull

Which Affordable UK City Is Cheapest?

Among the locations in this comparison, Hull recorded the lowest average rent at £691 per month.

It was followed by:

• Aberdeen — £846

• Liverpool — £909

• Sheffield — £929

• Nottingham — £1,011

• Coventry — £1,019

At the opposite end of the comparison, Bristol averaged £1,880 and Edinburgh’s broader rental market area averaged £1,415.

Both remained below London but were considerably more expensive than the lowest-cost destinations.

This demonstrates why it is important to compare current figures rather than assuming every city outside London is automatically affordable.

Is Moving Outside London Really Cheaper?

Potentially, but rent is only one part of your monthly spending.

Before relocating, compare:

• rent;

• Council Tax or local rates;

• gas and electricity;

• water;

• broadband;

• commuting;

• parking;

• salary differences;

• moving expenses;

• deposit;

• and your preferred lifestyle.

For example, saving £300 per month on rent sounds attractive.

But if your new commute costs an additional £200 each month, your actual saving is much smaller.

Calculate the complete monthly cost rather than comparing rent alone.

Compare Neighbourhoods Within Each City

City-wide averages are useful for deciding which locations deserve further research.

They cannot tell you what every neighbourhood costs.

The same city can contain:

• premium city-centre apartments;

• student areas;

• suburban family housing;

• shared accommodation;

• new-build districts; and

• lower-cost areas farther from the centre.

Moving only a few miles can sometimes produce a noticeable difference in rent.

Before choosing an area, compare:

• current rental listings;

• commuting time;

• transport;

• shops;

• broadband;

• healthcare;

• green space;

• and everyday lifestyle.

For a complete area-comparison checklist, read How to Choose the Right Neighbourhood When Renting.

Property Size Makes a Difference

The number of bedrooms you need has a major effect on rental cost.

Across the UK, average rent in July 2026 increased significantly as property size rose. ONS data shows the wider pattern clearly: larger homes generally attract substantially higher monthly rents.

If your budget is limited, consider whether you genuinely need additional rooms.

Shared accommodation can also reduce individual housing costs for some renters.

However, choose a home that remains appropriate for your needs rather than focusing on price alone.

How to Find a More Affordable Rental

Once you have identified several cities that could work, compare properties carefully.

Widen Your Search Area

Do not restrict your search to a single postcode or city-centre neighbourhood.

Nearby areas can have very different rental prices.

Compare Similar Properties

Make fair comparisons.

A new furnished city-centre apartment should not be compared directly with an older unfurnished property several miles away without taking those differences into account.

Calculate the Complete Monthly Cost

Add:

rent + household bills + transport

to understand whether one home is genuinely cheaper.

Consider Your Commute

A property farther away from work may have cheaper rent but higher travel costs.

Also consider the time involved.

Research the Neighbourhood

Before signing a tenancy, explore the surrounding area and check whether it offers the transport, shops, services and lifestyle you need.

Related RentWizz Guides

How to Choose the Right Neighbourhood When Renting

Compare transport, commuting, local services, broadband, green space and everyday living before choosing an area.

Affordable London Rentals: 15 Areas to Consider

If you want to remain in London, compare lower-cost boroughs and neighbourhoods rather than immediately relocating to another city.

UK Rental Market: Complete Renter Guide for 2026

Understand deposits, tenant rights, tenancy agreements, budgeting, moving and the wider rental process.

Save Money on Rent and Living Costs: UK Guide

Explore practical ways to reduce your overall housing and household costs.

Long-Distance Relocation: Moving Between UK Cities

Planning a move to another city? Learn how to manage remote property searches, virtual viewings, travel, removals and temporary accommodation.

Final Thoughts on Affordable UK Cities

London remains considerably more expensive than every location included in this comparison.

However, the figures also show why the term affordable UK cities needs context.

Bristol and Edinburgh remain cheaper than London but have considerably higher rental averages than places such as Liverpool, Sheffield, Aberdeen and Hull.

The right place to live depends on much more than finding the lowest figure in a rent table.

Compare:

• current rents;

• available properties;

• employment;

• salary;

• commuting;

• transport;

• neighbourhoods;

• local services; and

• your complete monthly budget.

Use city-wide averages as a starting point.

Then research the specific property and neighbourhood before deciding where to move.

Data note: Rental figures in this guide are based on Office for National Statistics Price Index of Private Rents data for July 2026. The July figures are provisional and may subsequently be revised. Individual asking rents vary according to property type, size, condition and exact location.