Best Value Places for Tenants to Rent in the UK

Looking for a rental home that costs less? Here’s your complete guide to the cheapest places to rent in the UK in 2026.

• Rents are still rising but at a slower rate than in 2025

• The biggest rental increases are happening in the UK’s most affordable areas

• The North East remains the cheapest place to rent a property, with London the most expensive

• We’ve mapped out the best value spots in every region to help you find a cheaper rental home without leaving the area you love

Rents have increased by 2.1% in the last year – a slightly slower rate of growth than in 2025. This is good news for renters, who only five years ago saw new rents increase by 16% in a 12-month period.

The UK’s average monthly rent is now £1,321 (or £15,852 a year), as detailed recent rental report (June 2026).

While rents are not rising as quickly as previous years, they are still climbing. For some areas though, the 2.1% average increase is far from reality. Rents are rising faster than the national average in 75% of local areas.

This is down to 25% fewer homes available to rent now than before the pandemic. With a lower supply and more expensive rents, finding somewhere that works for your budget could take some planning.

We’ve made the search for an affordable home easier by rounding up where’s cheapest to rent across the UK.

Average rents in UK regions

The North East is the UK’s cheapest region in which to rent. The average rent here is £766 per calendar month (pcm).

It’s followed by Yorkshire and The Humber (£866 pcm), Scotland (£885 pcm) and Northern Ireland (£889 pcm).

London’s average rent of £2,207 pcm makes it the most expensive region in the UK. The capital is followed by the South East, the East of England and the South West.

10 cheapest cities to rent a home in 2026

If bright lights, late nights and a central location are a must, there are plenty of budget-friendly cities with rents less than £770 pcm. The catch? You might have to relocate to find yourself at the heart of the action.

Cheapest districts to rent by region

If you’re keen to stay close to home but want the cheapest rent possible, comparing rents in nearby local authorities will show you what you can afford.

Here’s a breakdown of the cheapest districts across the UK and what makes them stand out (in order from the cheapest region to the most expensive).

1. North East

Hartlepool is the cheapest place to rent in the UK, offering coastal charm with a low average rent of £580 pcm.

Redcar and Cleveland in North Yorkshire is a fantastic district for sandy beaches and Saltburn Pier, while County Durham has its own UNESCO World Heritage Site.

2. Yorkshire and the Humber

The National Geographic named Kingston-upon-Hull – usually known just as Hull – as one of the top 25 global destinations to visit in 2026. This makes its lower-than-average rent of £678 pcm all the more attractive. Rents are almost half the national average in North East Lincolnshire and North Lincolnshire. Move here and you can flit between coastal towns and tranquil countryside.

3. Scotland

Rents in East Ayrshire are some of the most affordable in the UK but annual growth is staggering at 15.7%. This is the perfect illustration of rents rising quickest in the most affordable areas.

Rents are also budget friendly in Dumfries and Galloway and North Ayrshire, where you’ll be surrounded by beaches and beautiful wilderness.

4. East Midlands

East Lindsey in the Lincolnshire Wolds offers the best of both worlds – a sandy coastline and rolling chalk hills – all for just over £700 pcm.

Bolsover is a historic market town south of Sheffield, while Mansfield is steeped in heritage, with Sherwood Forest on its fringes.

5. Wales

Big adventures don’t need big rental budgets in Wales. The Valleys, with their stunning scenery yet easy access to Cardiff and Swansea, offer amazing value for money. Blaenau Gwent is the cheapest but has also seen rents rise by 4.8%

Powys and Merthyr Tydfil are great alternatives if your rental budget is under £800 pcm.

6. North West

Renters with a budget of less than £700 pcm will find plenty of choice in the North West. The best value is in Burnley, where time is well spent enjoying the Pennine views and exploring the moorlands.

Not far behind is Barrow-in-Furness but it has seen the biggest rent increase in any UK local authority. The jump of 23.7% will make renting feel expensive for locals. Pendle near the Ribble Valley is the North West’s third cheapest authority.

7. West Midlands

With rents in Birmingham and Nottingham frequently exceeding £1,000 pcm, people are considering outlying areas. Stoke-on-Trent is a fascinating city alternative, with a landscape dominated by its pottery past.

Stafford Moorlands is a collection of attractive market towns and rural areas. As a result, rents here are rising three times faster (6.6%) than the UK average. East Staffordshire is packed full of attractions, such as The National Forest near Burton upon Trent, making it family friendly.

8. South West

South West lovers should look outside of Cornwall for rents that are under £900 pcm and Devon hits the spot. The county is nothing short of picturesque and has all types of property, from fisherman’s cottages to new apartments.

Waterside locations and countryside havens are available to rent for less than the UK’s average. Search Appledore, Tiverton and Bideford for cost savings.

9. East of England

Fenland in Cambridgeshire was one of the few districts in the UK where rents dropped in the last year, decreasing 0.5%. In return for affordability are the open landscapes and big skies of the Fens.

Waveney is just as striking yet has seen rents increase by 6.9%. It’s easy to see why, as it’s close to The Broads National Park and the upmarket charm of Southwold. Great Yarmouth makes a fantastic permanent home as much as a holiday destination, with golden sands never far away.

10. South East

One thing unites the South East’s cheapest districts – they all include a stretch of coastline.

Pack more than a suitcase and head to the Isle of Wight, where life moves that little bit slower and rents average £952 pcm.

Rents are still rising in Thanet, where Margate, Broadstairs and Ramsgate sit alongside pretty inland villages. There are signs, however, that rents in Hastings have passed their peak. Values here dropped 2.1% in the last year.

11. London

Every London borough has an average monthly rental cost that’s above the UK average but value can be found where the Tube doesn’t reach. Overground services, mainline trains, buses and even trams serve Croydon, Sutton and Bexley, so you’ll still be connected.

Havering is the cheapest London borough with the Tube, while Bromley has the most green, open space but rents here increased by 4.3%.

Should you be looking to rent, we’re always happy to assist and hope this helps you find your next home if you’re on a budget. If you are a landlord we are also able to assist with your next let and management of the tenancy. You can get in touch with us here.