In January 2026, Accommodation For Students decided to look into the average rent price of properties in some of the most popular UK university cities. The data collected during this investigation was gathered from the official AFS database.
Although students don’t always choose where to live based solely on rent prices (often prioritising transport links, proximity to campus, supermarkets, or nightlife) a city that is too expensive can still be a significant deterrent.
Here are the rankings (from most expensive to least) of some of the UK’s most popular student cities:
- London
Unsurprisingly, London was shown to be the most expensive city, with rent averaging at £1690 per month (per person.) This is equal to £422.50 a week and when compared to the average cost of rent in other cities within the database, it is £782 more expensive per month (86% higher.)
The safest places for students to live in London are usually quiet, residential boroughs with lower crime rates, good transport links, and strong student communities. One of these places is Richmond; the area has one of the lowest crime rates in London, as well as very green and peaceful parks like Richmond Park. This area is particularly popular with students who study in West London universities. However, the main downside to living in Richmond is that the rent is quite expensive compared to some other areas.
- Glasgow
The second most expensive city is Glasgow. Our data suggests that on average students pay £1196 per month on rent, which is roughly £299 per week. This is 32% higher than the average rent price for students.
The most popular student living locations in this city include; West End, Hillhead, Partick, Finnieston, or Kelvinbridge. However, some other popular spots that students choose to live in are the city centre/Merchant City, Dennistoun, or Shawlands.
- Edinburgh
Rent in Edinburgh costs approximately £1192 per month (very similar to Glasgow), which works out to be around £298 a week. This is also 31% higher than the average.
Location-wise, Newington is popular amongst University of Edinburgh students. Marchmont, the old town, city centre, Grassmarket and Haymarket are also popular choices amongst all students.
- Bristol
According to our database, rent in Bristol averages at £1166 per month, which is 28% higher in comparison to the average UK city. This works out to be £291.50 per week.
Like in other cities, most students start by living in halls near campus during their first year and then move to shared houses. These private accommodation types are usually found to be more popular in Clifton, Redland, Cotham, or Bishopston for students in later years of study.
- Manchester
Living in Manchester is similar to most other cities and rent isn’t unreasonably high considering the prospects the city has to offer.
On average, our database shows that students in Manchester pay a monthly fee of £845 for rent, which is exactly half of that paid by London students (£1690 p/m.) This amount is equivalent to £211.25 per week.
Accommodation locations highly depend on which campus or university in Manchester that students are studying at (and can therefore differ in price due to this variable.) Dotted around the city, there are plenty of accommodation options available to students, and in particular for University of Manchester students as there is a guarantee that new, full-time undergraduate and international postgraduate students will receive an offer of a room in university halls. Popular places for shared homes include Fallowfield, Rusholme, or Withington.
- Coventry
On average, students in Coventry pay £732 per month on rent, which is roughly £183 a week and is 19% cheaper than the average.
When looking at where to live, students from both Coventry and Warwick University find Earlsdon to be an attractive prospect. Other areas that students seem most interested in are Canley (for Warwick students) and the city centre or Hillfields (for Coventry students.) Whereas, Tile Hile and Stoke are more popular amongst students searching for affordable accommodation.
- Leeds
Students in Leeds seem to pay roughly £719 per month, which works out to be £179.75 per week. This is 21% cheaper than the average.
Hyde Park, Woodhouse and the city centre are popular places for students, but Headingley is considered to be the heart of student life with a large student community residing here.
- Nottingham
For Nottingham students, £693 per month is the typical rate paid for rent, this is the same as £173.25 per week. As one of the cheaper larger cities to live in, Nottingham rental prices are 24% cheaper when compared to the average.
Lenton, Dunkirk and the City Centre are the main places for students to choose to live in due to close proximity to student campuses, but Beeston is also fairly student-dominated due to its good transport links.
- Birmingham
The database shows that most Brum students spend an average of £615 per month on rent in Birmingham (£153.75 p/w.) This is 32% cheaper than the average national amount that students spend.
Most students in Birmingham live in a few well-known student neighbourhoods near the universities, especially around the University of Birmingham and the city centre campuses. Selly Oak is one of the most popular areas of choice amongst students looking for private housing.
- Sheffield
Students in Sheffield tend to spend roughly £524 per month on rent, which works out to be £131 per week. This is 42% cheaper than the average.
Crookes and Broomhill are by far the most densely populated student areas, particularly for undergraduates. However, the City Centre suits students who want nightlife and a more ‘urban’ sense of living. Whereas Postgraduate students often choose quieter areas like Endcliffe or Nether Edge so that they can hunker down and get their studies complete.
