Regional Variation

The United Kingdom consists of four countries: England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Island. Depending on where you live in the United Kingdom, rental costs may be high or low. Areas near to large cities are often more populated: there will usually be a range of property possibilities, but these may be more expensive because of the urban location. Certain areas of the UK are consistently expensive. Properties in the south-east of England, for example, are in high demand; London, one of the most densely populated cities in Europe, is a hub of business activity, culture and tourism. It is a popular area in which to rent or buy a property; unfortunately as a result this region has very limited housing available and the high demand coupled with the low availability has created an expensive rental market. Costs to rent an apartment here can be as much as five or ten times as high as in other areas of the UK.

For example, the average cost of a one bedroom flat*:

• In Edinburgh - £550 per month
• In Belfast - £470 per month
• In Cardiff - £500 per month
• In Manchester - £620 per month
• In Birmingham - £630 per month
• In London - £2,200 per month
  

In London, average prices are four times higher than in Edinburgh, even without considering the wide range of flats and houses available which cost a lot more. Naturally you will be able to find properties in these areas which are cheaper, and others which are more expensive. However, you may wish to reconsider your demands when you take property prices into account: perhaps you would like to share a flat with some other people, and share the costs!

* Based on average prices of one bedroom flat on 29.05.2008, as reported in findaproperty.com