New data from Rightmove shows Hull and Sunderland as the most affordable cities for student renters in Great Britain, with average monthly rents of £804. Carlisle follows closely at £828.
The national average is now £1,565 per month, meaning students renting in Hull or Sunderland are paying 49% less than the typical cost.
Cheapest and most expensive cities
Across the UK, the average advertised rent for a two-bedroom flat is £1,612 per month, while a four-bedroom house averages £2,260.
At the other end of the scale, St Albans tops the list of the most expensive cities for renters outside London, with an average rent of £2,359 per month. Oxford ranks second at £2,093, and Brighton third at £2,031.
In London, rents have reached a record £2,712 per month.
Affordability pressures
Rightmove’s data highlights that even in the cheapest cities, rents have climbed significantly. Eight of the ten lowest-priced cities have seen increases of more than one-third in the past five years.
Colleen Babcock, property expert at Rightmove, said: “Moving to a new city or just out of the family home for the first time is an exciting experience for many students, but trying to find that first place to rent can be hard."
"To make it easier, deciding on your budget range first can help you narrow the options. If you’re finding it difficult to find a home that ticks all your boxes, consider which areas you’re willing to compromise on."
"For example, you could move to an area further from transport or outside a city centre to make your budget go further. Another option might be to share with friends and split the rent. Local estate agents will be in the best position to guide you on available places within your budget that tick most of your boxes.”
