Cheapest University Cities for Accommodation

Sophia Crothall·18 January 2024·4 min read
Cheapest University Cities for Accommodation

When deciding where to go to university, accommodation costs can certainly be a factor. We have put together our own research to find out which university cities have the cheapest accommodation. This is based on the average costs for both PBSA and HMO accommodation.

PBSA refers to purpose built student accommodation, such as your student halls. HMO means House in Multiple Occupation which is when 3 or more tenants are living in a property, forming more than one household and sharing facilities. If you are interested in finding out which cities have the cheapest student accommodation, then keep on reading.

Prices are based on per person, per week. 

5. Stoke-on-Trent: £96.41

Stoke-on-Trent is ranked at number five for the cheapest cities, and is home to Staffordshire University, with Keele University being close by. 

Staffordshire University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines. Alternatively, Keele University is situated about 5 miles west of Stoke-on-Trent and is known for its distinctive campus and interdisciplinary approach to education.

In our findings, Stoke-on-Trent also ranked 3rd for the cheapest HMO accommodation. 

Find accommodation in Stoke-on-Trent here. 

4. Middlesbrough: £94.46

Coming in at number four is Middlesborough. The city ranks 3rd cheapest for PBSA accommodation (£87.50) and 5th for HMO (£101.42). This is ideal for those who are interested in attending Teesside University. The university has additional campuses in Darlington and Hartlepool. The main campus in Middlesbrough recently underwent significant redevelopment, with new modern facilities and infrastructure.

Find accommodation in Middlesbrough here. 

3. Bradford: £91.72

Our third cheapest city is Bradford which also ranks 2nd for the cheapest PBSA accommodation (£83.96) and 4th for its HMO accommodation (£99.47). The University of Bradford is located close to the city centre and is known for its diverse and inclusive atmosphere. 

Find accommodation in Bradford here. 

2. Hull: £91.76

Hull just misses out on the top spot for the cheapest city as it comes in 2nd. However, it has been ranked as the cheapest city for PBSA accommodation, with rooms on average costing £80 per person, per week. The main campus, known as the Hull Campus, is located in Hull and features a mix of modern and historical buildings. In addition to the Hull Campus, the university has a campus in Scarborough on the North Yorkshire coast.

Find accommodation in Hull here. 

1. Wolverhampton: £82.24

Finally, our cheapest city is Wolverhampton which ranks cheapest overall and cheapest for HMO accommodation (£76.89). It also ranks 4th for the cheapest PBSA accommodation (£87.58). If you are looking to move to Wolverhampton, then take a look at the University of Wolverhampton. The university has multiple campuses, with the main campus located in Wolverhampton. Additionally, there are campuses in Walsall and Telford. Each campus is equipped with modern facilities, including libraries, laboratories, and student amenities.

Find accommodation in Wolverhampton here. 

Other notable cities include Preston, which ranks as the 5th cheapest for PBSA accommodation (£97) and Newcastle-upon-Tyne, which is ranked as the 2nd cheapest for HMO accommodation (£84). 

To find your next student home, visit our website.