The rental market is finally rebalancing. After years of rapid rent rises, the market is softening, and that means rents are growing at a much slower pace.
Our latest data shows rents are just 2.4% higher than a year ago - the slowest pace of rental growth in four years. The average UK rent now sits at £1,300 a month, with small falls in some markets.
For renters, it means more homes are available and there’s less pressure on your budget.
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Average rents in UK regions
Our latest rental data published in September 2025 shows that the North East remains the cheapest region to rent in the UK. The average rent there is £748 per calendar month (pcm), which is a rise of 4.6% in the last year.
It’s followed by Northern Ireland (£803 pcm), Yorkshire and the Humber (£845 pcm) and Scotland (£861 pcm).
Rents across the South of England are much more expensive. London’s average rent of £2,192 pcm makes it almost twice as pricey to rent than anywhere else in the country. The South East (£1,388 pcm), East of England (£1,244 pcm) and South West (£1,131) all post higher average rents of more than £1,000 per month.
Rental growth has slowed across most of the UK to low single digits. A year ago, rents were rising twice as quickly, while in 2023 we were seeing 15%+ rent rises across many regions.
Region | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
£748 | 4.6% | £30 | |
£803 | 10.7% | £80 | |
£845 | 1.0% | £10 | |
£861 | 1.5% | £10 | |
£910 | 2.1% | £20 | |
£918 | 3.2% | £30 | |
£932 | 3.8% | £30 | |
£970 | 2.4% | £20 | |
£1,131 | 2.9% | £30 | |
£1,244 | 3.1% | £40 | |
£1,388 | 2.8% | £40 | |
£2,192 | 1.7% | £40 |
10 cheapest cities to rent a home in 2025
For those willing to be flexible with their location, these cities offer some of the most affordable rents in the UK.
City | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
£634 | 7.0% | £40 | |
£659 | 3.4% | £20 | |
£665 | 2.7% | £20 | |
£669 | 4.8% | £30 | |
£675 | 4.1% | £30 | |
£730 | 3.1% | £20 | |
£734 | 1.8% | £10 | |
£734 | 6.2% | £40 | |
£738 | 4.9% | £30 | |
£751 | -0.8% | -£10 |
Cheapest districts to rent by region
If you're after a bargain without relocating too far, your best bet is to look at local authorities within each region. Here's a breakdown of the cheapest districts to rent across the UK and what makes them stand out.
East Midlands
The East Midlands offers plenty of affordable gems when it comes to rental homes. East Lindsey is a coastal district known for its lovely beaches, perfect for those seeking a tranquil, scenic lifestyle on a budget.
Bassetlaw offers a blend of rural tranquility and excellent transport links, with key towns like Worksop and Retford, while Bolsover district is known for its charming historic villages and impressive landmarks.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
East Lindsey | £687 | 4.7% | £30 |
Bassetlaw | £743 | 3.8% | £30 |
Bolsover | £747 | 5.1% | £40 |
East of England
In a region typically known for higher rents, Waveney offers a seaside escape with low rents. The towns of Lowestoft and Southwold are perfect for those wanting a coastal lifestyle with better affordability.
Great Yarmouth in Norfolk is a popular seaside resort with vibrant history and affordable rents, while Fenland in Cambridgeshire offers a rural lifestyle with rents that are significantly lower than the regional average
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
Waveney | £795 | 4.9% | £40 |
Great Yarmouth | £825 | 3.6% | £30 |
Fenland | £840 | 2.5% | £20 |
London
"Cheapest" in London is relative, but Croydon stands out for its comparative affordability. It's a vibrant urban hub with excellent transport links and ongoing regeneration.
Sutton is a highly sought-after borough with a strong community feel, top schools, and plenty of green spaces on the outskirts of the city, while Bexley’s mix of suburban living and transport links have pushed rents up by 4.4% in the last year to £1,613 pcm.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
Croydon | £1,591 | 2.4% | £40 |
Sutton | £1,593 | 1.9% | £30 |
Bexley | £1,613 | 4.4% | £70 |
Havering | £1,693 | 1.3% | £20 |
Bromley | £1,701 | 3.4% | £60 |
North East
As the cheapest district in the North East, Hartlepool offers an extremely affordable coastal lifestyle. Its historic headland and ongoing regeneration make it a great place to rent on a budget.
County Durham has great countryside, historic landmarks and low rents, while Redcar and Cleveland’s low average rents make it one of the UK’s most affordable seaside spots.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
Hartlepool | £567 | 1.0% | £10 |
County Durham | £623 | 4.7% | £30 |
Redcar and Cleveland | £625 | 0.2% | £0 |
North West
Burnley and Allerdale have exceptionally low rents compared to the rest of the UK, but they are seeing high annual growth with 7.8% and 9.6% rises in the last year. Both offer good commuting options and access to landscapes like the Pennines or Lake District.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
Burnley | £623 | 7.8% | £50 |
Allerdale | £650 | 9.6% | £60 |
Pendle | £652 | 3.4% | £20 |
Scotland
As the cheapest place to rent in Scotland, East Ayrshire has an average monthly rent of £601, and this is a rise of only 1.1% in the last year. It’s a great place for a quieter life within reach of Glasgow.
Dumfries and Galloway is a scenic region known for its rugged coastline and charming market towns and while rents are affordable, they’ve jumped 7.9% in the last year.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
East Ayrshire | £601 | 1.1% | £10 |
Dumfries and Galloway | £608 | 7.9% | £40 |
Angus | £647 | 3.8% | £20 |
South East
The South East is second to only London when it comes to the most expensive places to rent a home, but the Isle of Wight offers lower prices with coastal charm and a relaxed pace of life.
Thanet is known for its popular seaside towns like Margate and Broadstairs, with affordable rents drawing more Londoners to the Kent coast in recent years. Dover’s good transport links to London make it a popular choice for commuters seeking cheaper rents as well.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
Isle of Wight | £944 | 2.1% | £20 |
Thanet | £1,025 | 3.7% | £40 |
Dover | £1,050 | 2.5% | £30 |
South West
The South West is among the pricier regions to rent a home, but North Devon is a good choice for affordability. Bristol remains within commuting distance, which is reflected in high annual rental growth of 8.0%.
Torridge offers charming historic villages, a peaceful rural lifestyle and average rents of £809 pcm while West Devon - the gateway to Dartmoor National Park - is seeing growing popularity among renters with 9.4% annual rental growth.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
North Devon | £799 | 8.0% | £60 |
Torridge | £809 | 2.4% | £20 |
West Devon | £847 | 9.4% | £70 |
Wales
In Wales, the cheapest rents are to be found in the valleys, where you’ll find stunning scenery and a strong sense of community. Look to Powys (£659 pcm), Blaenau Gwent (£681 pcm) and Merthyr Tydfil (£714 pcm) for the best rental value, with many spots offering good travel links to Cardiff and Swansea.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
Powys | £659 | 3.50% | £20 |
Blaenau Gwent | £681 | 6.10% | £40 |
Merthyr Tydfil | £714 | 5.40% | £40 |
West Midlands
Stoke-on-Trent is an affordable base for renters in the West Midlands with an average rent of £739 pcm within easy reach of Birmingham. Staffordshire Moorlands is another affordable option, although rents have risen by 9.9% in the last year, and East Staffordshire has a number of popular market towns with good connections to Birmingham and Nottingham.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
Stoke-on-Trent | £739 | 5.7% | £40 |
Staffordshire Moorlands | £769 | 9.9% | £70 |
East Staffordshire | £808 | 6.0% | £50 |
Yorkshire and the Humber
Kingston-upon-Hull - more commonly known as Hull - is an affordable port city with a vibrant arts scene, making it a popular choice for renters in 2025. North East and North Lincolnshire are also affordable options in this region, with rents sitting under £700 across rural villages and market towns.
Local authority | Average rent (pcm) | Annual rental growth (%) | Annual rental growth (£) |
Kingston-upon-Hull | £669 | 4.8% | £30 |
North East Lincolnshire | £675 | 4.1% | £30 |
North Lincolnshire | £689 | 6.7% | £40 |
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