Cheapest Places to Live in UK

Most of us want to have our own home at some point and especially in the early years of our lives, we would prefer this place to be affordable. So, searching for houses in more affordable areas may help us find a suitable home. Therefore, we have prepared a list to help you with this process. We have divided the list into two pieces; cheapest places for renters and cheapest places for buyers. So, this list may help you whether you are a buyer or a renter. You may even want to rent a place for a while to make sure that it suits you and then decide to buy it or not. Here is our list of the most affordable places to live in the UK.

CHEAPEST PLACES FOR BUYERS

1. Durham

Location: Northeast England

Climate: The city of Durham is situated at an altitude of 32 metres; so, the temperature is generally very pleasant. The time between December and February is winter in Durham but thanks to the altitude, it doesn’t get very cold. The average temperature is somewhere between 6C to 7C in the daytime. This value goes all the way up to 19C during July. With only 15C, the average during the summer is not that high as well.

Cost of Living: Durham is one of the most popular affordable places in England. Especially for students, Durham is probably the best and cheapest choice. Most expenses are reasonable here like living, eating, and entertainment. The rent you are going to pay depends on whether you want to live in the city centre or outside the city. If you are going to live in the city centre, then the average rent is about £650 for a 1BHK (bedroom, hall, and kitchen) apartment; whereas on the outside of the city, the average is £360 for a similar apartment. Your basic utility costs will be around £235 per month and you can get a monthly travel pass for £55.

Average Income: £26K PA

Local Attractions: Durham Castle, Cathedral, Botanic Gardens, Oriental Museum

2. Belfast

Location: Northern Ireland.

Climate: Belfast has an altitude of 12 metres. It has a very mild environment with February being the coldest month. The average temperature is about 3C; whereas in July, the temperature increases to 17C. October is the rainiest season and the average summer temperature is generally between 10C-12C.

Cost of Living: Especially for the students, Belfast is a very affordable option. If you are going to live near the city centre, then you can expect an average rent of £400. However, with £280 for a 1BHK apartment, outside the city is more affordable. There are many cheap grocery stores, restaurants, etc. Because bus and Metro services connect the whole city, you can easily travel even if you live outside the city. By buying a daily travel pass for £6.50 for the day, you can use public transportation as much as you want for the day. And if you use public transportation a lot, you can buy a monthly travel pass for £58.

Average Income: £27K PA

Local Attractions: Belfast Castle, Ulster Museum, Titanic Belfast, Belfast City Hall

3. Leicester

Location: East Midlands region of England

Climate: Leicester lies 58m above sea level. Leicester’s winter starts around December and ends in February. During this period, the temperature is about 1C-7C. It starts to get warmer and warmer around June, and following that average temperature is around 17C. Just like many other cities in England, the rainiest month is October.

Cost of Living: If a 1 bedroom apartment is enough for you, then you can rent one for £730 in the city centre and for £535 outside the city. Monthly utility bills hover around £112 per person. They help out international students by giving them accommodation for £83 per week. Transportation is not expensive as well. You can get a student pass for £29. Other expenses are completely available too. Another advantage of Leicester is that it is one of the safest cities in the UK.

Average Income: £26K PA

Local Attractions: Abbey Park, Leicester Cathedral, National Space Centre, Bradgate Park

4. Stirling

Location: Central Scotland

Climate: Stirling is 14 meters above sea level. Stirling has a great summer but winter is long and very cloudy. The winter temperature is about 2C and when it gets warm in May, the temperature rises to 10C to 15C. November is the rainiest time of the year.

Cost of living: Stirling is a great location for students as well. 1BHK house costs £475 in the City centre and £416 outside the city. For a 1BHK house, the basic utility costs will be around £213 per month. You can get a monthly travel pass for about £73. And other needs like gasoline, clothing, and restaurant prices are cheap.

Average Income: £26K PA

Local Attractions: Stirling old town Jail, The National Wallace Monument, Stirling Castle, Holy Rude

5. Lancaster

Location: Northwest England

Climate: Lancaster lies 31 meters above sea level. Winter lasts for 3 months from December to February. The temperature during these months hovers around 2C to 3C. The weather starts to get warmer in March. The temperature rises from 5C to 15C. And during the hottest month, July, the average temperature can go up to 19C.

Cost of living: In the UK, Lancaster is probably the best affordable city. A 1BHK apartment costs about £567 in the city centre and £440 outside the city while the average utility bill is about £172. Local transportation is not expensive as well. You can travel as much as you want during the month using the monthly travel pass which only costs £80. Your food expenses will also be affordable.

Average Income:  £24K PA

Local Attractions: Lancaster Canal, Ashton Memorial, Lancaster Castle, Williamson Park

6. Cardiff

Location: Capital of Wales

Climate: Cardiff lies 13 metres above sea level. Cardiff starts to get cold around November and stays around 4C to 7C throughout winter. And starting from April, temperatures start to rise, having an average of 9C-16C in the summer. August has the highest temperature rate.

Cost of living: Being the capital of Wales, Cardiff is definitely one of the most beautiful, affordable cities. Near the city centre cost of a 1BHK apartment is about £663, while outside the city, the price lowers to £504. The utility bill is generally about £202. Sports, entertainment, transportation costs are low. If you want to travel freely in the city, you can get a monthly travel pass for £53. In addition to being an affordable place, Cardiff is also very safe.

Average Income:  £27K PA

Local Attractions: Principality Stadium, Caerphilly Castle, Cardiff Castle, Castell Coch

7. Newcastle

Location: On the River Tyne of Northeast England

Climate: Newcastle has an altitude of nearly 11 metres. The weather is generally very nice but between June and August, it gets a little cold. During that time, the temperature is about 12C-13C. As of September, it starts to get warmer. In summer, the average temperature is between 19C and 23C.

Cost of living: Newcastle is an affordable city all things considered. In the city, a 1BHK apartment is about £650 and you can find pretty much the same apartments for £474 outside the city. The basic utility bill generally doesn’t cost more than £130 per month. The costs of restaurants, entertainment, and fitness clubs are very affordable as well. If you get yourself a monthly travel pass for £60, you can enjoy the cheap public transportation all around Newcastle for a whole month to travel around the city.

Average Income:  £27K PA

Local Attractions: Baltic Centre for Contemporary Art, Angel of the North, Beamish, Gateshead Millennium Bridge

8. Coventry

Location: Central England

Climate: Coventry is situated almost 91 metres above sea level. Most of the time, the weather feels mild. The temperatures start to go down in December, beginning the winter, and winter lasts until February. During these months, the temperature is about 3C to 4C. Following May, summer begins and the temperature starts to hover around 10C-16C. July has the highest temperatures.

Cost of Living: Coventry has made a name for itself for being a perfect student city. A 1BHK apartment is £655 in the city and £530 outside the city. The average monthly utility cost is around £181. Since local markets are affordable as well, your normal expenses will not be much as well. To travel inside the city, you can get a monthly travel pass for £51. And even you are a foreigner and you don’t know the city, you don’t have to worry because Coventry is one of the safest places in the UK.

Average Income:  £30K PA

Local Attractions: War Memorial Park, Coventry Cathedral, Coventry Transport Museum, Herbert Art Gallery & Museum, National Trust-Baddesley Clinton

9. Warwick

Location: West Midlands region of England

Climate: Warwick is 54 metres above sea level. The weather is generally warm. Lasting from May to October, summer is a very long period in Warwick. The weather is very mild during those months, it generally hovers around 11C to 16C. December brings about winter. In the winter months, the average temperature stays between 3C-4C.

Cost of living: Compared to the average cities, Warwick is cheap to live in. You can get a 1BHK apartment for about £767 in the city and £658 outside the city. You will also need to pay about £134 for the monthly utility bill. Other expenses like sports, leisure, and fitness clubs are all very affordable. Groceries don’t cost much in the local markets either. The monthly travel pass is about £125 for you to wander in the city.

Average Income: £30K PA

Local Attractions: St. John’s House, St. Mary’s Church, Warwick Castle, Jephson Gardens

10. Lincoln

Location: English East Midlands

Climate: Lincoln is situated 66 metres above sea level. Summer stays in Lincoln between the months of May and October. The temperature during these months generally stays around 11C-17C. Winter starts in November and ends in February. The average temperature in winter is between 1C-4C.

Cost of living: Lincoln is pretty cheap to live in as well. You can rent yourself a 1BHK apartment for approximately £616 near the city centre and £471 outside the city. There are childcare and preschools for a reasonable price in the city. For a very affordable price, you can enjoy the beautiful restaurants, local markets, and clothing stores. Transportation shouldn’t worry you as well, for you can get a monthly travel pass for £52 to travel inside the city.

Average Income: £25K PA

Local Attractions: Lincoln Castle, Lincoln Medieval Bishops’ Palace, Lincoln Cathedral, Museum of Lincolnshire Life

11. Nottingham

Location: Central England’s Midland region

Climate: Nottingham is situated 51 metres above sea level, and it has a very mild climate. Summer stays from May to October and the average temperature during these months is about 12C-17C. The weather starts to cool down in November. Temperature decreases to somewhere around 2C-4C.

Cost of living: Nottingham is also known as “Queen of the Midlands”. It is really affordable to live in this city. If you want to live near the city centre, then you should expect to see a rent of about £610 for a 1BHK apartment but if you are okay with living outside the city, then you can find a very nice 1BHK for about £472. You are also supposed to pay a basic utility bill of about £156 a month. Most activities like a fitness club, sports and cinema are available for very reasonable prices. Transportation will not cost much either, you can get a monthly travel pass for £56 and travel however you want in the city.

Average Income: £27K PA

Local Attractions: City of Caves, Nottingham Castle, Nottingham National History Museum, National Justice Museum

12. Liverpool

Location: Northwest of England

Climate: Liverpool has an altitude of 24 metres. Most of the time, you get to enjoy a very pleasant weather in Liverpool. Winter does not last long, it is only from January to February. And temperature during winter generally doesn’t go under 3C. Along with May, summer comes and the temperature starts to hover around 11C to 16C.

Cost of living: Compared to the UK standards, Liverpool is an affordable city. Along with the average monthly utility bill of around £158, you can expect to pay a £655 rent for a 1BHK in the city. For 1BHK apartments outside the city, this price goes down to £490. Transportation is cheap as well. You can purchase a monthly travel pass for £65. All around Liverpool, you can find affordable hotels, fitness centres, and grocery stores.

Average Income: £26K PA

Local Attractions: Liverpool Cathedral, Royal Albert Dock Liverpool, Tate Liverpool, The Beatles Story.

13. Manchester

Location: Northwest of England

Climate: Manchester is 48 metres above sea level. The weather is always pleasant in Manchester. Winter is between the months of December and March. During winter, the temperature stays around 1C-3C. Between May and September is summer in Manchester. Summer has an average temperature of 9C-21C.

Cost of living: You don’t really have to pay a lot in order to live in Manchester. The rent of a 1BHK apartment will cost you around £830 in the city centre and £548 outside the city. In addition to that, the basic utility bill is about £125. The city of Manchester has made a name for itself for its schools. Especially, there are very nice preschools and primary schools. Travelling is also at a reasonable price in Manchester. You can purchase a monthly travel pass for £70 to travel freely inside the city.

Average Income: £29K PA

Local Attractions: The Lowry, Old Trafford, Manchester Museum, The Whitworth

14. Birmingham

Location: West Midlands region of England

Climate: Birmingham is situated at 141 metres above sea level. The weather in Birmingham feels mild most of the time. From November to March, you get to experience Birmingham’s winter and the temperature is around 0C-3C during this time. Summer stays from April to October and the temperature rises up to 7C-17C in this season.

Cost of living: Living in Birmingham is not very expensive. The cost of a 1BHK is about £766 in the city and £580 outside the city. The basic utility bill costs you around £142. There are many affordable fitness clubs, cinemas, and pre-paid schools in Birmingham. And you can travel as much as you want by getting a monthly travel pass for only £65.

Average Income: £29K PA

Local Attractions: Black Country Living Museum, Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, High Street, Cadbury World

15. Norwich

Location: Norfolk County in England

Climate: Norwich is situated at 17 metres above sea level. Norwich’s climate is pleasant. Its winter is between December and March. The average temperature is 0C-3C in the winter. Summer starts in April. The temperature can be anywhere from 6C to 18C in summer.

Cost of living: The rent of a 1BHK house in Norwich city is around £598 but if you want to live outside the main you can find a 1BHK house for £500. The basic monthly utility bill is about £140. There are many local markets and their prices are reasonable. As for transportation, you can get a one-way ticket for £2.43 or you can get a monthly travel pass for £87 to travel as much as you want for the month.

Average Income: £26K PA

Local Attractions: Felbrigg Hall, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, Norwich Cathedral, Norwich Castle Museum & Art Gallery

List of most affordable places to live in UK