Revealed: the cheapest (and most expensive) places to rent in the UK (2024)

A new report has confirmed our suspicions: London is still really, really spenny

Let’s face it: the cost of renting is getting a bit ridiculous now. With queues down the street for viewings, people outbidding each other to live in damp, unfurnished flats and landlords hiking prices left, right and centre, the rental market is only comparable to theHunger Games– and the market feels more competitive than it’s ever been.

During the pandemic, we saw people fleeing London and shacking up in scenic places like Margate or relocating to northern cities like Leeds and Liverpool. And with energy bills soaring and the cost-of-living crisis only getting worse, many peopleare seriously considering upping sticks and moving somewhere new once again.

Handily,a new analysis of data from Rightmove UK has revealed the cheapest (and most expensive) places to livein the UK. Researchers sifted through 83,000 listings across more than 123 areas, and figured out the average rent per month for a flat, shared property, bungalow and house.

Shock horror: the capital is the most expensive city to rent in. South-west London specifically came out top as the most expensive area, with average monthly rent coming to £5,100. West London came second and central London third.

Meanwhile, the cheapest place to rent in the UK was Kilmarnock in Scotland, with rent averaging around £444 per month.However, if you’re looking specifically for a one or two-bed flat, Llandrindod Wells in Waleswas cheaper, with average rent for the latter costing£473. And as for a three-bed? Bolton in Greater Manchester is the cheapest,with average monthly rent for a property of that size just £386.

Planning a move? Find out more about the study and see the full results here.

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• Ellie Muir
  Contributing writer

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