No doubt, the UK is a great place to live in with a high standard of living, diverse communities, world-class universities, social welfare, and even safety.

But what happens when you hit a wall in your house search just because you cannot afford the rent?

In the UK, rent costs vary according to location. In London for instance, the rental services are high compared to places like Bradford. 

Let's look at some of the cheapest cities in the UK to live in if you're trying to rent on a budget.

Houses in these places won't make you break the bank compared to houses in expensive cities. Asides rental costs, these cities are also affordable for things like groceries, transport, and general living needs. 

We shall also explore a bonus section talking about the things you should look out for when renting a place in the UK. 

Top 10 cheapest cities to live in the UK

Bradford

This is one of the cheapest places to live in the UK. Very low cost of living —rent, food, and general cost of living is very affordable. 

In 2021 and 2022, Bradford was ranked by Comparethemarket.com for being the most affordable city in the UK.

It has consistently been ranked over the years as a place to find cheap rent in the UK. The rent in Bradford is about £698 monthly. 

So, if you're looking for the cheapest places to pay rent in the UK, Bradford should be one of your top options. 

Hull

The cost of living is also very affordable here. It's a beautiful large city with cheap rent compared to the national average. 

The monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment in the centre of Hull could be around £600-£800. Utilities like electricity, water, and garbage are also affordable. 

Derby

When you compare it to cities like London and Birmingham, rent in Derby is much lower. 

Not only is it an affordable place to pay rent; it's also an interesting place filled with beautiful sights like museums and galleries. 

The average rent in Derby is around £813 per month. By the time you put the money for both rent and utilities together, you'd see that it's a lot cheaper than some other UK cities. 

Sheffield

Sheffield is both one of the greenest and cheapest places to live in the UK. As a student or worker who wants to get a place on a budget, you should consider this city. 

Average rent in Sheffield for a month is around £873. The cost varies according to the kind of house you choose.  

Manchester

Manchester is one of the major cities in the UK, but ironically, it's much cheaper than some other big cities. And this is why it makes the cut as one of the cheapest places to live in the UK. 

Depending on your budget and lifestyle, the cost of rent in Manchester can range from £800 to £1,200 monthly. The costs of groceries, utilities, and transport are also won't break the bank. 

Liverpool

According to Numbeo’s index, the cost of living in Liverpool is 20% lower than London. This makes it one of the cheapest places to live in the UK. 

Liverpool has a low cost of living and low food cost. As for rental cost, you should be looking at an average of £710 per month. 

Durham

If you're into small, close-knit areas, Durham is a good place for you. Living in this city is a lot cheaper than the national average. 

If you also love to eat and drink a lot, Durham is a great choice for you. You get to do these at affordable prices. 

The average rental cost in Durham per month is £594. The living costs asides rent are also affordable, and Durham is a city you'll enjoy since it has beautiful places and sights. 

Belfast

Belfast is one of the cheapest cities to live in the UK, and it has been like this for years.

The cost of living is lower than most cities. Even fun things like cinema tickets come at lower prices than some other cities. 

For rent, you should budget about £700-£950. Belfast is also considered very safe. This may be something to consider when making your choice. 

Cardiff

Cardiff is a friendly and cheap place to live in the UK. It's also very famous for its history and culture. There are beautiful parks and art scenes in Cardiff. 

The cost of living is cheap, compared to many UK cities. To conveniently sort out rent, you should budget around £680 per month. 

Leicester

Last on our list is Leicester. On average, it is up to 21% cheaper than London. It also has good transport links and is a happy place to live in.

Your monthly rent on the average would be around £970. But obviously, this depends on the kind of house you're getting. 

Things to watch out for when renting a place in the UK 

• Are there rules guiding the place, e.g, pet rules?
• What’s the public transport availability?
• Confirm the inventory items listed in the agreement.
• Assess the quality of the landlord, property, and neighbors. These play a huge role in your experience of the place. 
• Make sure the Internet connection is good enough for you. Test it. 
• What bills are you responsible for?
• Is there a parking space? 
• Ask about the heater, boiler, cooker, and metre.

Conclusion 

Remember to double-check with your letting agent to know the exact rental costs when you want to rent.

However, these costs above are accurate as at the time of this writing. And they will give you proper direction whenever you're ready to rent.  

Also, make sure to watch out for other factors like the bills you're responsible for, the quality of landlord, property, and neighbors, parking space availability, etc.

One thing is for sure: you'll most likely need to make a transfer when it's time for rent payment.

And what better app to use than the OhentPay app which makes everything quick, easy, and cost-effective for you in the UK? 

That's why you should download the app immediately to start enjoying smooth transactions.