Cheapest places to rent in the UK

If you’re choosing where to live, work or study, understanding where rents are lowest can help shape your decisions. While affordability is just one factor, it remains a key consideration for many renters, especially those looking to save up for a deposit on their first home.

Northern England, Scotland and parts of Wales continue to dominate when it comes to the lowest rental prices. These regions often balance lower demand with strong supply, helping to keep rental costs below the national average.

Using the latest figures from the Rightmove Rental Price Tracker, we take a closer look at the 10 cheapest cities and areas to rent in the UK, based on average monthly rents in May. We also compare current rents with prices in May 2021 to see how prices in these locations have changed over the past five years.

Cheapest cities to rent in the UK

1. Hull, East Riding of Yorkshire

Avg. rent: £802

2. Carlisle, Cumbria

Avg. rent: £843

3. Sunderland, Tyne and Wear

Avg. rent: £872

4. Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire

Avg. rent: £874

5. Doncaster, South Yorkshire

Avg. rent: £903

6. Bradford, West Yorkshire

Avg. rent: £912

7. Dundee

Avg. rent: £927

8. Swansea

Avg. rent: £979

9. Lancaster, Lancashire

Avg. rent: £986

10. Aberdeen

Avg. rent: £1,000

Across the UK’s most affordable cities, average monthly rents are almost all under the £1,000 threshold. Hull tops the list with the lowest average rent (£802), followed by Carlisle and Sunderland, both of which also come in under £900 per month.

The remainder of the list illustrates the north/south rental price divide, with most of the locations being located in the north of England or in Scotland. Swansea and Stoke-on-Trent are the only locations outside the north of England or Scotland that make the list of the UK’s ten cheapest cities for renting a home.

Comparing the cheapest city on this list with the most expensive city outside London, St Albans, we see a rental price difference of £1,606. This makes renting in St Albans almost three times as expensive as in Hull. Looking at the ten most expensive places to rent in the UK, Edinburgh was the only location outside the south of England.

Bradford was the cheapest city that has seen the biggest increases in rental prices over the past five years, with a considerable 54% increase in rents. Bradford rents have levelled off since 2024, but limited local supply and overspill from pricier neighbours like Leeds helped to generate a 43% jump in average rents between May 2021 and May 2024.

Cities	Average monthly rental payment May 2026	Average monthly rental payment May 2021	5 year % change
1. Hull, East Riding Of Yorkshire	£802	£576	39%
2. Carlisle, Cumbria	£843	£552	53%
3. Sunderland, Tyne And Wear	£872	£608	43%
4. Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire	£874	£622	41%
5. Doncaster, South Yorkshire	£903	£665	36%
6. Bradford, West Yorkshire	£912	£594	54%
7. Dundee	£927	£678	37%
8. Swansea, Wales	£979	£788	24%
9. Lancaster, Lancashire	£986	£776	27%
10. Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire	£1,000	£795	26%

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Cheapest areas to rent in the UK

1. Grimsby, Lincolnshire

Avg. rent in May: £673

2. Hartlepool

Avg. rent in May: £676

3. South Shields, Tyne and Wear

Avg. rent in May: £745

4. Stockton-on-Tees

Avg. rent in May: £760

5. Blackpool, Lancashire

Avg. rent in May: £786

6. Hanley, Stoke-on-Trent

Avg. rent in May: £798

7. Darlington

Avg. rent in May: £828

8. Middlesbrough

Avg. rent in May: £832

9. Burnley, Lancashire

Avg. rent in May: £842

10. Worksop, Nottinghamshire

Avg. rent in May: £864

Looking beyond cities, the cheapest areas to rent in the UK show even lower average monthly costs. Over half the list comes in at under £800 per month.

The majority of these locations are found in the North East and North West, regions that consistently feature among the most affordable for renters. Grimsby and Hartlepool top the list with average rents below £680 in May, while even number ten on the list, Worksop in Nottinghamshire, averages less than £900 per month

Year-on-year price changes are mixed across these areas. Burnley in Lancashire has seen a significant 65% increase in rents over the past five years, climbing from an average of just £510 per month in May 2021 to £842 in 2026. The cheapest area, Grimsby, also saw the lowest price increase of 23% since 2021.

However, even where rents are rising, they remain comparatively low when set against many other parts of the UK. This makes these areas attractive for renters seeking value, particularly those who have flexibility in where they live.

Areas	Average monthly rental payment May 2026	Average monthly rental payment May 2021	5 year % change
1. Grimsby, Lincolnshire	673	548	23%
2. Hartlepool	676	534	27%
3. South Shields, Tyne And Wear	745	546	36%
4. Stockton-On-Tees, Durham	760	568	34%
5. Blackpool, Lancashire	786	615	28%
6. Hanley, Stoke-On-Trent, Staffordshire	798	549	45%
7. Darlington, County Durham	828	604	37%
8. Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire	832	558	49%
9. Burnley, Lancashire	842	510	65%
10. Worksop, Nottinghamshire	864	641	35%

What’s happening in the rental market at the moment?

In recent years, the number of people looking to rent has outstripped the availability of homes, driving rents to record levels. However, the pace of rental price increases has slowed since 2022, when we saw it increase by 12% on average, and rents haven’t seen significant growth since 2025.

The number of available homes to rent in the first quarter of 2026 was 3% higher than a year ago, with supply at its highest level for this time of year since 2021. While this shows some improvement in the number of available homes for renters compared with recent years, overall supply remains below longer‑term norms.

Looking at competition for rental homes in the UK, data for the first quarter of 2026 showed that the average rental home received 8 enquiries, down from 11 for the same period in 2025, and 29 at the 2022 peak. However, it is currently still higher than we saw before the COVID-19 pandemic.

Find out more about the rental market in our Rental Market Tracker.

Frequently asked questions

• Where is the cheapest place to rent in the UK?

  Based on the latest Rightmove House Price Index data, Grimsby and Hartlepool currently rank among the cheapest places to rent, with average monthly rents below £700.

• Which UK cities have the lowest rent?

  Hull, Carlisle and Sunderland are among the cheapest cities for renters, all offering average monthly rents under £900.

• Are rents going up or down in the UK?

  Rental trends vary by location, but rents have mostly leveled off in the past year. Some areas have seen year-on-year increases, while others have experienced small decreases, showing a mixed national picture.

• Why is rent cheaper in northern England?

  Lower rental prices are often linked to differences in demand, supply and affordability compared with more expensive regions, particularly in the south of England.

• Should I move to a cheaper area to save money on rent?

  Moving to a more affordable area can reduce monthly costs, but it’s important to balance rent savings with factors such as job opportunities, transport links and lifestyle preferences.

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