Cheapest Place to Rent in UK 2026
Finding the cheapest place to rent in the UK can be a challenging task. Especially with house prices and rent costs skyrocketing in many parts of the country. So, where can you still rent cheaply these days?
Major cities like London, Manchester, and Edinburgh are known for their higher rent prices, owing largely to their status as economic, cultural, and touristic hubs. However, there are areas across the country where rent is significantly cheaper. So, let’s take a look!
Where is the cheapest place to rent in the UK?
While there’s no doubt renters can save money in the suburbs, the average UK monthly private rent is £1,366. The North East has the lowest recorded prices of £759. Followed by Wales £820, Yorkshire and Humber £838 and the North West £933.
Looking at individual places, the cheapest places to rent per calendar month on average are:
- Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland – £535
- Hartlepool, North East – £559
- Powys, Wales – £596
- North East Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and The Humber – £608
- Burnley, North West – £616
- County Durham, North East – £620
- North Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and The Humber – £624
- Redcar and Cleveland, North East – £630
- Hyndburn, North West – £631
- Pendle, North West – £635
We’ve reviewed the latest average private rent prices using Office for National Statistics data, looking at local authorities across England and Wales and Broad Rental Market Areas in Scotland. In England and Wales, rent figures are shown across wider local authority areas, while in Scotland the data is grouped into Broad Rental Market Areas, which cover several towns, cities and nearby neighbourhoods that people typically rent and move between.
Where possible, we’ve also included average rents by property size, such as one-, two- and three-bedroom homes, to show how costs can vary depending on the type of home you’re looking to rent, rather than relying on a single overall average. Using this data, we’ve carefully selected the 20 cheapest places to rent in the UK based on the average (mean) monthly rent over a 12-month period, from November 2024 to November 2025. Please note, this data does not include Northern Ireland.
Cheapest places to rent in the UK 2026
If you’re worried about rising rents, you’re not alone. The good news is that there are still parts of the UK where renting remains genuinely affordable. Using Office for National Statistics data, we’ve analysed average private rents between November 2024 and November 2025 to find the cheapest places to rent in the UK in 2026, looking not just at overall rent, but also how prices change depending on property size.
Whether you’re renting on your own, sharing with others, or looking for a family home, these areas offer lower monthly rents without cutting you off completely from jobs, transport links or things to do.
1. Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland
Average rent: £535 pcm
If you’re looking to keep rent as low as possible, Dumfries and Galloway comes out top. With an average monthly rent of £535, Dumfries and Galloway is the cheapest place to rent in the UK in 2025. One-bedroom homes are particularly affordable at around £411 per month, making the place an attractive option if you’re renting on your own or as a couple.
This area is ideal if you enjoy the outdoors, with coastal walks, forests and countryside right on your doorstep. It’s quieter than city living, but Dumfries has rail links to Glasgow and Carlisle, which can work well if you’re a remote worker or only need to travel occasionally.
2. Hartlepool, North East England
Average rent: £559 pcm
Hartlepool is a great option if you want cheap rent by the sea. Flats and smaller homes are particularly affordable, which is helpful if you’re renting on your own or trying to keep monthly costs down. With four-bedroom properties averaging just £813 a month and one-beds around £402.
You’ll find direct train services to Newcastle and York, making commuting possible, and the town itself has beaches, a marina and family-friendly attractions. If you’re looking for value without giving up amenities, Hartlepool is well worth considering.
3. Powys, Wales
Average rent: £596 pcm
If space matters to you, Powys is a strong contender. Larger properties, including three- and four-bedroom homes, are far cheaper here than in many parts of England. In Powys, the average rent sits at £596 a month, but it’s the value for bigger properties that really stands out, with three-bed homes averaging around £670.
Powys is best suited to renters who don’t need to commute every day, although towns like Newtown have rail connections to Shrewsbury and Birmingham. It’s a good choice if you want a quieter lifestyle, lower rent and easy access to walking routes and national parks.
4. North East Lincolnshire
Average rent: £608 pcm
North East Lincolnshire offers affordable rent across different property sizes, particularly flats and terraced homes. This makes it a practical option for renters on a tighter budget. Renters in North East Lincolnshire pay an average of £608 per month, with flats and maisonettes coming in at under £475 on average.
Cleethorpes gives you easy access to the beach, while Grimsby offers everyday amenities and employment opportunities. Rail links to Sheffield mean commuting is possible, although journeys can be longer.
5. Burnley, Lancashire
Average rent: £616 pcm
Burnley remains one of the cheapest places to rent in the North West. If you need more space, three-bedroom homes are still relatively affordable compared with nearby cities. Burnley continues to offer strong value in the North West, with average rents of £616 a month and three-bedroom homes typically costing under £700.
Burnley has rail connections to Manchester, which makes it popular with renters who want lower rent while staying within commuting distance. You’ll also benefit from green spaces and nearby countryside.
6. County Durham
Average rent: £620 pcm
County Durham gives you flexibility. You’ll find a mix of towns, villages and commuter areas, with rent staying relatively low across one- and two-bedroom homes. Average rent of £620 hides a wide range of affordable options, especially for two- and three-bed homes, which are often cheaper than in neighbouring cities.
With rail links into Durham, Newcastle and Teesside, it can work well if you’re balancing affordability with access to work. It’s a popular option for families and renters looking to get more for their money.
7. North Lincolnshire
Average rent: £624 pcm
North Lincolnshire offers some of the best value if you’re renting a family-sized home. Semi-detached and detached properties here are far cheaper than the national average. In North Lincolnshire, renters pay around £624 a month on average, with larger family homes still priced well below the national average. The average rental price for a 4-bedroom or more beds is £1018.
Scunthorpe provides rail links to Sheffield and Leeds, and the area suits renters who want space, lower costs and a slower pace of life.
8. Redcar and Cleveland
Average rent: £630 pcm
Redcar and Cleveland combines coastal living with reasonable rents, averaging £630 a month. One-bedroom homes cost around £447, while three-beds average just over £700, which can work well for couples or small families.
You’ll find good transport links to Middlesbrough and Darlington, making it suitable if you still need to travel for work.
9. Hyndburn, Lancashire
Average rent: £631 pcm
Hyndburn’s average rent of £631 makes it another affordable North West option, particularly for renters who need rail access to Manchester.
Rents for terraced and semi-detached homes are low compared with nearby areas, making this a popular choice for first-time renters and young families.
10. Pendle, Lancashire
Average rent: £635 pcm
Pendle rounds off our top 10, with average rents of £635 a month and two-bed homes typically costing under £600. If you enjoy walking or want countryside on your doorstep, this area ticks a lot of boxes.
Rail links to Preston and Manchester mean you’re not completely cut off, while lower rents can make saving for the future easier.
What this means for renters
If you’re flexible on location, the cheapest places to rent in the UK in 2025 show that it’s still possible to find affordable homes, especially outside major cities. Looking at property size, not just average rent, can make a big difference when deciding where your money will stretch the furthest.
Other affordable places / postcodes to rent
- Ayrshires, Scotland – £637pcm
- Cumberland, North West – £648pcm
- Blaenau Gwent, Wales – £653pcm
- Northumberland, North East – £656pcm
- Carmarthenshire, Wales – £657pcm
- Neath Port Talbot, Wales – £657pcm
- Darlington, North East – £658pcm
- Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire and The Humber – £659pcm
- Barnsley, Yorkshire and The Humber – £659pcm
- East Lindsey, East Midlands – £662pcm
Which city has the cheapest rent in the UK?
Based on the data above, Kingston upon Hull is the cheapest city to rent from the UK cities, with an average monthly rent of £659. While several towns and wider areas are cheaper overall, Hull is the lowest-priced official city on the list, offering lower rents than many other urban areas while still providing city-level amenities and transport links.
Where is the cheapest seaside place to live in the UK?
The cheapest seaside place to rent in the data is Hartlepool, where the average rental costs are £559 per month. Located on the North East coast, Hartlepool offers beach access, a marina and coastal walks, while remaining significantly cheaper than other coastal areas. Other relatively affordable seaside locations in the list include North East Lincolnshire (£608), which covers coastal towns such as Cleethorpes, and Redcar and Cleveland (£630), both offering coastal living at below-average rent levels.
Thinking of renting?
While the UK has its fair share of expensive places to rent, with some research and willingness to explore, one can find budget-friendly gems that offer great value for money.
Whether you’re a student, a professional, or a retiree, there’s likely a place that fits your budget and lifestyle needs. Before you move, gather as many facts about an area as possible, including crime rates and info on local schools. A property report can pull all this together for you and more.
Last Updated: January 19th, 2026
