Average rent in the UK in 2026: City-Wise Rent Cost

What is the Monthly Average Rent in the UK?

The Average rent in UK for single person is around £1,340 to £1,381. But what you can expect to pay yourself actually depends a lot on the city and the type of property you are planning to live in.

Below is a brief snapshot of average monthly rent in major UK cities in 2026:

*These figures are based on the ONS Private Rental Index and HomeLet Rental Index.

Average UK Monthly Rent for Shared Accommodation

The monthly average rent in the UK for a 1-bedroom is, even though high, still much more affordable than renting out the whole place. Below is the data:

A) Most Expensive Cities

The average rent for 1 bedroom across some of the most expensive cities in UK is as follows:

B) Other Major Cities

The 1 bedroom rent for other popular cities in UK with considerable student population is usually more affordable and can range between £530 to £690 on shared basis.

C) Most Affordable Cities

Lastly, here is the average rent of some of the most affordable cites in the UK on shared basis:

Average Pay for Different Types of UK Student Accommodation

Here is a breakdown of average pay for different types of student accommodation in UK per week & month in 2026:

A) University Halls of Residence

The average rent in UK for university halls of residence mainly depends on the type of room you choose:

B) Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA)

The rent for an average en-suite PBSA room in the UK can cost you around £153 per week. Moreover, the PBSA contracts usually are for 52 weeks.

C) Private Shared Student Houses

Private shared student houses are usually the cheapest options can go around £90–£160 per week depending on your location. However, if the utility bills is not included then you can expect to pay extra £60–£120 per month.

How Much You Can Expect to Pay Overall?

When living in the UK, you will have to bear the expenses of more than just rent. While it is a huge part of your overall spending, there are other living costs that also depend on where you are living in the UK.

Here are the additional expenses that you will need to bear, along with average rent in the UK per month:

Considering these average cost of living in UK, on an annual basis, you can expect to spend anywhere between:

What are Some Affordable Places to Live in the UK?

The average rent in the UK varies drastically across the country and where you are planning to live can help you hugely. Especially when it comes to managing your finances.

Here is a list of some of the most affordable places to live in the UK in 2026 with average rent:

Most Affordable Cities in the UK for Students

While there are some great affordable cities in the UK, as a student, the affordability actually goes beyond just rent. It includes transportation, nightlife, food, and proximity to the campus. For that matter, here are the cheapest UK cities for students:

Average Student Rent by UK Universities 2026

As a student, looking at average rent based on popular UK universities' locations instead of the national average can give you a much more realistic idea of your expected living costs:

A) Most Expensive Universities (London & South)

In the table below, you will find some of the most expensive universities in the UK in 2026 based on the average weekly and monthly rent costs. In this, London universities come at the top spot.

B) Mid-Range Universities

Here are some UK universities that have mid-range rent in 2026:

C) Most Affordable Universities

Lastly, the rent for some of the most affordable universities (rent wise) starts at just around £75 per week.

What will be Included in Your UK Accommodation?

Depending on the type of accommodation you choose, the following things will be included in your rent:

University Halls & PBSA

University halls and PBSAs usually have an all-inclusive bill which includes:

• Electricity
• Water
• Heating
• Internet
• Content insurance
• Council tax
• Gas
• On-site gyms
• Cinema rooms
• Study lounges
• Communal spaces
• Laundry facilities

Private Shared Houses

Private shared houses do not usually have an all-inclusive bill, but you can expect to get the following things:

• Electricity
• Gas
• Water
• Internet
• TV licence (separate pay)
• Shared kitchen
• Laundry facilities
• Communal living room

Where to Find Rental Properties?

To find good rental properties in the UK, you can look at both online and offline sources. These include university accommodation offices, property listing websites, and student housing platforms.

However, the demand for student accommodation and increasing rent can make it a little difficult for students to find a safe and affordable place in the UK. For this reason, you can get help from Gradding Homes to make your process much simpler.

It is a trusted student accommodation provider which offers a wide range of verified student accommodation in the UK. There You will get to choose from a wide range of PBSAs, shared apartments, en-suite rooms, studios, and private housing near top UK universities.

Are you ready to find your ideal student home in the UK? Check out some of the most trusted and verified UK rental properties with Gradding Homes today and book your accommodation without any hassle!