If you’re searching for a rental home that won’t drain your budget, 2026 is finally bringing some good news. The UK rental market is beginning to stabilise after years of steep increases, and tenants are starting to feel the benefit.
What’s Changing in the Rental Market?
Rents are still rising, but nowhere near as sharply as before. Over the past year, average rents have increased by just 2.2% — the slowest growth rate in four years. As of December 2025, the typical UK rent stands at £1,320 per month.
This shift is largely due to a narrowing gap between supply and demand. Tenant demand has dropped by around 20%, while the number of available rental homes has grown by 15%. With more choice and less competition, renters are finally getting some breathing room.
Where Are Rents Cheapest?
Rental prices vary dramatically across the country. The North East continues to offer the best value, with average monthly rents of £760. At the other end of the scale, London remains the most expensive region, with typical rents of £2,224 per month — nearly double the national average.
Below is a snapshot of average rents and annual growth across UK regions:
| Region | Avg Rent (pcm) | Annual Growth (%) | Annual Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| North East | £760 | 4.5% | £30 |
| Northern Ireland | £854 | 11.0% | £80 |
| Yorkshire & Humber | £869 | 1.8% | £20 |
| Scotland | £882 | 1.7% | £10 |
| East Midlands | £923 | 1.9% | £20 |
| Wales | £945 | 2.4% | £20 |
| North West | £955 | 3.2% | £30 |
| West Midlands | £986 | 1.7% | £20 |
| South West | £1,149 | 3.0% | £30 |
| East of England | £1,263 | 2.5% | £30 |
| South East | £1,397 | 2.1% | £30 |
| London | £2,224 | 1.6% | £40 |
The 10 Cheapest Cities to Rent in 2026
If you’re open to relocating, these cities offer some of the lowest rental prices in the UK — many with good transport links and lower living costs:
| City | Avg Rent (pcm) | Annual Growth (%) | Annual Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnley | £652 | 3.9% | £20 |
| Sunderland | £661 | 3.3% | £20 |
| Hull | £674 | 5.6% | £40 |
| Middlesbrough | £674 | -0.5% | £0 |
| Grimsby | £683 | 3.1% | £20 |
| Doncaster | £745 | 5.6% | £40 |
| Aberdeen | £746 | 2.5% | £20 |
| Barnsley | £747 | 6.1% | £40 |
| Blackpool | £752 | 2.7% | £20 |
| Huddersfield | £771 | 4.3% | £30 |
Cheapest Districts to Rent in Each Region
If you want to stay close to home but still cut costs, these local authorities offer the best value within their regions.
1. North East
The North East remains the most affordable part of the UK. Hartlepool offers some of the lowest rents in the country, with coastal living at a fraction of southern prices. County Durham and Redcar & Cleveland also provide excellent value.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hartlepool | £578 | 2.7% | £20 |
| County Durham | £632 | 4.7% | £30 |
| Redcar & Cleveland | £634 | 0.8% | £10 |
2. Scotland
East Ayrshire is currently Scotland’s cheapest rental area, though prices are rising quickly as people move further from Glasgow in search of better value. Dumfries & Galloway and Angus also remain budget-friendly.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Ayrshire | £602 | 7.7% | £40 |
| Dumfries & Galloway | £615 | 6.6% | £40 |
| Angus | £670 | 3.1% | £20 |
3. Yorkshire & the Humber
Hull continues to be one of the UK’s most affordable cities, with strong rental demand and a growing cultural scene. North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire also offer low rents.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hull | £674 | 5.6% | £40 |
| North East Lincolnshire | £683 | 3.1% | £20 |
| North Lincolnshire | £694 | 7.2% | £50 |
4. East Midlands
The East Midlands is becoming increasingly popular with remote workers and commuters. East Lindsey’s coastal towns offer scenic living at low cost, while Bassetlaw and Bolsover provide strong transport links and growing rental demand.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| East Lindsey | £704 | 5.3% | £40 |
| Bassetlaw | £753 | 4.7% | £30 |
| Bolsover | £761 | 5.4% | £40 |
5. Wales
The Welsh Valleys remain the most affordable part of the country, with Powys, Blaenau Gwent and Merthyr Tydfil offering low rents and good access to major cities.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Powys | £677 | 6.0% | £40 |
| Blaenau Gwent | £696 | 3.0% | £20 |
| Merthyr Tydfil | £730 | 3.1% | £20 |
6. North West
Burnley, Allerdale and Pendle offer some of the lowest rents in the region, with good access to the Pennines and Lake District.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burnley | £642 | 3.5% | £20 |
| Allerdale | £666 | 9.9% | £60 |
| Pendle | £668 | 4.1% | £30 |
7. West Midlands
Stoke-on-Trent remains one of the most affordable urban areas in the region. Staffordshire Moorlands and East Staffordshire also offer competitive rents and strong commuter links.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stoke-on-Trent | £752 | 3.8% | £30 |
| Staffordshire Moorlands | £788 | 5.7% | £40 |
| East Staffordshire | £830 | 6.6% | £50 |
8. South West
The South West is generally pricey, but North Devon and Torridge offer more affordable options. West Devon is becoming increasingly popular, reflected in its strong rental growth.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Devon | £827 | 5.6% | £40 |
| Torridge | £829 | 4.0% | £30 |
| West Devon | £873 | 10.1% | £80 |
9. East of England
Waveney, Great Yarmouth and Fenland stand out as the region’s most affordable districts, offering coastal and rural living at lower-than-average prices.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waveney | £811 | 2.5% | £20 |
| Great Yarmouth | £834 | 3.6% | £30 |
| Fenland | £856 | 2.0% | £20 |
10. South East
The South East is one of the UK’s most expensive regions, but the Isle of Wight, Thanet and Dover offer comparatively lower rents — especially popular with commuters and those seeking coastal living.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Isle of Wight | £951 | 2.4% | £20 |
| Thanet | £1,021 | 2.1% | £20 |
| Dover | £1,055 | 0.0% | £0 |
11. London
While London is the priciest region overall, some boroughs offer better value than others. Croydon, Sutton and Bexley are among the most affordable, with strong transport links and growing communities.
| Local Authority | Avg Rent (pcm) | Growth (%) | Growth (£) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Croydon | £1,617 | 2.1% | £30 |
| Sutton | £1,628 | 2.9% | £50 |
| Bexley | £1,638 | 4.7% | £70 |
| Havering | £1,703 | 0.7% | £10 |
| Bromley | £1,714 | 2.3% | £40 |