Finding the cheapest place to rent in 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 median monthly rent in the UK is £1,414. With the Northeast having the lowest recorded prices. Followed by the Northwest and Yorkshire and Humber.
- Ferryhill, DL17, £538pcm
- Peterlee, SR8, £550pcm
- Burnley, BB11, £550pcm
- Grimsby, Cleethorpes, DN32, £552pcm
- Hartlepool, TS26, £564pcm
- Grimsby, DN31, £570pcm
- Middlesbrough, TS3, £575pcm
- Bishop Auckland, DL14, £584pcm
- Skegness, PE25, £593pcm
- Blackpool, FY1, £599pcm
This analysis is based on all property types and showcases places where there were at least 100 properties rented per postcode district. To give you a reliable and accurate insight.
We’ve used the Dataloft Rental Market Analytics dataset for our research and carefully selected the 20 cheapest places to rent in England and Wales based on the average (mean) rent per month. Over a 12-month period, from April 2023 to March 2024. Data doesn’t include Northern Ireland or Scotland.
Let’s take a look at the most affordable places to rent:
1. Ferryhill, County Durham
Claiming the top spot in our cheapest place to rent in the UK list is Ferryhill, Britain’s most affordable town to rent in. Here, rent is just £538 a month on average.
Ferryhill is just over 7 miles from Durham, offering a quieter place to live but still close enough to a city. It’s a rural and an affordable area, with the average house price in the DL17 postcode standing at £82,092, making both renting and buying one of the cheapest places to live in many other parts of England.
Ferryhill features places like Ferryhill Carrs, a nature reserve where you can enjoy scenic walks. As for transportation, improvements may be on the way. There’s a campaign to reopen the Ferryhill railway station, which could make it easier to travel to bigger cities.
2. Peterlee, County Durham
Not far behind is Peterlee, also located in County Durham and just 14 miles from the historic city of Durham. Here, renters pay an average of £550pcm, making it another great economical choice for renters.
The town is surrounded by peaceful farmland, and it offers views over of the Durham limestone coast to the east. Peterlee is a great place for nature lovers and walkers too, one of its highlights is Castle Eden Dene.
Although there is no direct rail service in Peterlee, nearby stations in Durham and Hartlepool offer good rail links to the rest of the country. Peterlee does however have several bus routes that are connected to cities nearby such as Sunderland and Hartlepool.
3. Burnley, Lancashire
Securing a spot on our list of the most affordable places to rent in the UK is Burnley in Lancashire. The average rent in Burnley is just £550 a month! Making it a great budget-friendly option.
Burnley is also not far from Manchester – about 21 miles north. So, it could be great option for those looking for a quieter lifestyle while remaining within reach of a bigger city.
The average house price in the BB11 postcode is also lower than in many other parts of England, which makes both renting and buying highly attractive here.
Burnley boasts beautiful local spots such as Towneley Park, a large historic estate with gardens and woodland, ideal for nature lovers.
The town is well connected and has its own railway station, Burnley Central, which offers services to Manchester. The journey from Burnley Central to Manchester Victoria usually takes about an hour to an hour and a half.
The town is a great option for Manchester commuters and those looking to travel around the region.
4 & 6. Grimsby and Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire
It’s not just an average rent cost of less than £552 in DN32 and £570 a month in the DN31 postcode that Grimsby, in Lincolnshire has to shout about.
It’s also beautifully located Lincolnshire coast with nearby Cleethorpes Beach. Here you can enjoy the peaceful seaside.
Property prices in Grimsby and neighbouring Cleethorpes are considerably lower than the national average, which makes it a great option whether you’re looking to rent or buy.
For transportation, the area is served by the Grimsby Town railway station, offering routes to cities such as Sheffield.
5. Hartlepool, County Durham
Another seaside town that is featured on our list of cheapest places to rent in the UK is Harlepool. The town is located just 8 miles north of Middlesbrough and the average rent is here about £564 per month in the TS26 postcode.
House prices and rent in Hartlepool are significantly lower compared to many other parts of the UK, which again makes it a great spot for renters and buyers.
Hartlepool also has its own railway station, with connections to Newcastle and York. So, if you’re working in Newcastle and looking for a cheap place to live within a commutable distance to Newcastle, then Hartlepool could be a great option.
7. Middlesbrough, North Yorkshire
Middlesbrough, located in North Yorkshire, also makes our list as one of the UK’s most affordable places to rent. In the TS3 postcode, the average monthly rent is approximately £575. This affordability makes it an attractive place to live for individuals and families.
The town is known for its rich industrial heritage and vibrant cultural scene. It is also home to a number of points of interest, such as museums and art galleries.
Middlesbrough is well-connected by transportation, with its railway station offering routes to major cities like Leeds and Manchester, and the A19 and A66 roads providing easy access to surrounding areas. This makes it an excellent choice for commuters too!
8. Bishop Auckland, County Durham
A market town and civil parish, Bishop Auckland is home to Auckland castle, great walking spots, and average rent prices of £584 a month in the DL14 postcode. It’s much easier here to save for a house deposit than further down south.
Bishop Auckland also benefits from good transport connections, with regular train and bus services providing access to nearby cities and towns, enhancing its appeal as a convenient place to live.
9. Skegness, Lincolnshire
Skegness, located in Lincolnshire on the east coast of England, also features on our list. In the PE25 postcode, the average monthly rent is around £593, making it an economical choice for many.
As a popular seaside resort, Skegness is known for its vibrant beachfront and family-friendly attractions. Key attractions include the Skegness Pier, offering seaside amusements, and the Natureland Seal Sanctuary, which rescues and rehabilitates seals alongside showcasing other wildlife.
Skegness has a railway station, with regular services connecting to larger cities.
10. Blackpool, Lancashire
Picture Lancashire and you might conjure up images of lakes, scenic views and Furness Abbey. However, what you may not know is that it boasts low rent prices too – averaging £599 a month.
The highest in this top 10 list of cheapest places to rent in the UK, but still much lower than the UK average, is the FY1 postcode in Blackpool. The town is renowned as a major British tourist destination thanks to its extensive range of attractions and events that cater to all ages.
Notable attractions include the iconic Blackpool Tower, which offers breathtaking views and, Blackpool Pleasure Beach, one of the UK’s most popular amusement parks.
Blackpool is also well-connected by train with services to cities like Manchester and Liverpool.
Other affordable places / postcodes to rent
- Consett, DH8, £602pcm
- Gainsborough, DN21, £608pcm
- Burnhope, Lanchester, DH7, £609pcm
- Halifax, HX1, £613pcm
- Scunthorpe, DN15, £622pcm
- Birkenhead, CH41, £624 pcm
- Bradford, BD1, £627pcm
- Kingston upon Hull, HU5, £628pcm
- Burnley, BB10, £630pcm
- Cleethorpes, DN35, £630pcm
Which city has the cheapest rent in the UK?
The city where you pay the cheapest rent in the UK is Bradford. Here you pay £627pcm. Bradford is closely followed by Kingston upon Hull, where you can expect to pay circa £628pcm.
Where is the cheapest seaside place to live in the UK?
In terms of rent, Hartlepool would be the cheapest seaside town to live in. Other seaside places are Skegness, Blackpool and Cleethorpes. These towns are located along the coast and are known for their beaches and seaside attractions.
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 affordable 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: May 21st, 2024
