10 Cheapest Places to Live in the UK
Are you planning on moving house and looking for the cheapest places to live in the UK?
You may decide to move based on a variety of factors.
It is our goal to help you find a location at a price tag that fits your budget!
Our list of the cheapest places to live in the UK includes 10 locations.
Each of these exceptional locations is sure to suit your needs and covers the whole of the UK.
These are the 10 cheapest places to live in the UK!
Table of Contents
Durham
Durham, in northeastern England, is located south of Newcastle upon Tyne.
Durham is named after the River Wear, which runs around Durham Cathedral and the Norman Castle.
Durham University provides stunning views of woodlands and tropical plants in its Botanic Garden and Asian, Egyptian, and Middle Eastern artefacts in its Oriental Museum.
Durham is a very popular and affordable university town, especially for students.
A good law school and university are available in Durham, and living costs are reasonable making it perfect for students.
In County Durham, an average 1 bedroom apartment rents for £650 per month, while on the outskirts it costs £360.
The cost of basic utilities is roughly £257.18 per month, and the cost of a monthly travel pass is £55.
When it comes to house prices, Durham continues to be competitively priced!
The average sold price for a property in Durham in the last 12 months is £217,075.
This represents excellent value when compared to the UK average which was £306,000 in October 2023.
Durham is an excellent option for those looking for the cheapest places to live in the UK.
Sunderland
Our list of the cheapest places to live in the UK has to include Sunderland.
In 2018, the city which is home to 190,000 residents, was ranked as the 2nd most affordable city in the UK!
It is also worth noting that house prices in Sunderland are very reasonable.
As of February 2024, house prices are sitting at an average of £150,460!
Aside from being very well-priced, the city is also extremely well-connected.
Durham (another addition to our list) is just 13 miles away, while Newcastle is just 14 miles away.
The railway links between Sunderland and other UK cities are also fantastic.
Due to Sunderland’s location on the Green Line of the Tyne and Wear Metro, commuters have easy access to the city.
According to Numbeo monthly pass in the city will set you back just £24!
If you are looking for the cheapest places to live in the UK, Sunderland is certainly worth considering!
Hull
The city of Hull is also one of the cheapest places to live in the UK.
One of England’s most important maritime cities, Hull is located on the Humber estuary in North Yorkshire.
Historically, Hull has been a hub of trade and business between the UK and Northern Europe.
Those who wish to work outside the city can also take advantage of the good transport links that Hull offers.
Hull’s house prices are well below the UK average, making it a popular destination for many.
Particularly when compared to similar cities in the area, properties can be purchased for fractions of the price of similar homes in other areas.
Hull’s current average property price is £141,047, meaning it is certainly worthy of inclusion on our list.
Those looking for the cheapest places to live in the UK should consider moving to Hull!
Belfast
Another great addition to the cheapest places to live in the UK is Belfast!
The city offers buyers a range of excellent properties in an eclectic and lively location.
Another excellent location for students, Belfast has emerged as a hub for shopping, restaurants and nightlife!
According to Mercer’s Cost of Living City Ranking 2021, Belfast has the lowest cost of living in the UK.
The NatWest Student Living Index 2020 placed Belfast as the city with the cheapest student rent in the UK!
Additionally, residents here spend just £126.36 on food on their monthly utilities, significantly less than the £254.12 UK average.
When it comes to renting, Belfast also stands out.
A one-bed apartment in the city costs around £912.50, with properties outside of the city sitting at £662.50.
The monthly travel pass costs £60, according to numbeo.
Belfast is clearly a very affordable choice and is worthy of its place on our list of the cheapest places to live in the UK!
Leicester
Leicester is the perfect city if you’re looking for a city full of history and culture!
A great selection of attractions, restaurants, and nightlife awaits you when living in Leicester.
It is not only one of the cheapest places to live in the UK but one with a great quality of life!!
The average monthly expenditure for a single person in Leicester is about £600, not including rent and course fees.
Leicester’s average rent for a one-bedroom flat is £766.67 and a monthly travel pass costs £64.
All stats are taken from Numbeo.
When it comes to property prices, Leicester is also competitive.
Leicester’s average property sale price in the past 12 months is £258,934, according to February 2024 data.
Living in the area is a great choice for those seeking the cheapest places to live in the UK.
Warwick
Families and commuters have long enjoyed the picturesque town of Warwick.
Many of Warwick’s original charms have been preserved even after many years, revolutions and even a fire!
It is home to many Victorian and Georgian buildings, as well as a few large estates along Emscote Road.
The cost of living in Warwick is lower than in most other large cities.
The cost of a one-bedroom apartment in the city is about £843.75, while outside the city it is about £650.
On average, the utility bill is only £238.50 per month, making it a very affordable city for locals.
Not only is it the least expensive place to live in the UK, but groceries and transportation are also affordable.
A monthly travel pass costs around £174.80 inside the city, which is on the higher end of the UK average.
When it comes to house prices, the average sold price for a property in Warwick in the last 12 months is £336,507.
While one of the more expensive locations on our list of the cheapest places to live in the UK, Warwick is certainly worth considering!
Stirling
The city of Stirling is located in central Scotland and is one of the cheapest places to live in the UK.
The city is 26 miles northeast of Glasgow and 37 miles northwest of Edinburgh.
A modern metropolis with a hometown feel.
Stirling offers all the amenities of a modern city with a charming homely feel not often associated with a bigger city.
It was also one of the happiest places to live according to the Rightmove Happy at Home Index conducted in 2021.
When it comes to cost of living and house prices, Stirling earns its spot on our list.
The average cost of utilities is approximately £212.50
A monthly travel pass costs around £57.50.
Stirling’s average sold price for a property in the last 12 months is £232,636, accurate as of February 2024.
Living in Stirling is an excellent choice for those seeking a new home in one of the cheapest places to live in the UK.
Cardiff
In addition to being Wales’ capital, Cardiff is also the largest city in the country.
With over two hundred ninety thousand people, the city is the eleventh-largest populated municipality in the United Kingdom and spans an area of approximately thirty-two square miles.
There are also few cheaper places to live in the UK than Cardiff.
Inside the city, a one-bedroom apartment costs £1,008.33, whilst on the outskirts, it costs an average of £783.33.
The average utility bill in the city is around £289.88 per month.
When it comes to house prices Cardiff also has excellent value for money!
In the last 12 months, properties in Cardiff sold for an average of £285,008.
Cardiff is a wise choice for those looking for the cheapest places to live in the UK!
Lancaster
Lancaster, England, offers a variety of historical attractions.
The ruins of Lancaster Castle offer great views of the River Lune.
Lancaster’s army regiment is also featured in the city museum’s grand Georgian building.
If you’re looking for the cheapest places to live in the UK, Lancaster is an excellent choice.
A typical monthly rent for a one-bed property in the town is around £592.46.
The average utility bill in Lancaster is £160.
Additionally, Lancaster’s local transportation is cheap as well.
To travel throughout the entire city, you’ll need to purchase a £60 monthly pass.
Lancaster has seen an average property sale price of £199,037 over the past 12 months.
Living in Lancaster is sure to appeal to a range of buyers.
This is a location certainly worthy of its place on our list of the cheapest places to live in the UK.
Lincoln
Lincoln is a historic city and one of the cheapest places to live located in the UK.
One of Lincoln’s main attractions is the Wren-designed Lincoln Cathedral and its famous library.
Lincoln Castle, which houses a Victorian prison and a copy of the Magna Carta, is another notable landmark in Lincoln.
Living in Lincoln is perfect for those who love a mixture of old and new.
In comparison to other places in the United Kingdom, Lincoln is an affordable place to live.
One-bedroom apartments in the city cost an average of £800 per month.
In the suburbs of the city, they cost £600.
A monthly utility bill of £363.33 would cover most essential services.
Restaurants, markets, and clothing stores can also be found at low prices.
The monthly travel pass only costs nearly £65, meaning transportation within the city is relatively cheap.
House prices are also very reasonable for the region.
The average sold price for a property in the last 12 months was £210,461.
Lincoln is an excellent choice for those looking for the cheapest places to live in the UK.
Ready to Move to One of the Cheapest Places to Live in UK?
Hopefully, our list of cheapest places to live in UK has been helpful to your upcoming move!
If you are still planning your upcoming move, GoodMove will help to make your move an easy and stress-free process.
We take great pride in ensuring everything runs smoothly and flawlessly.
Hopefully, this article combined with our highly trained staff can help you and/or your family to settle into your new home right away.
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