The ‘scenic’ location named the cheapest place to rent in Britain — and what you’ll need to earn to live there --[Reported by Umva mag]

Want to escape the Big Smoke? Look no further...

Oct 11, 2024 - 10:08

The ‘scenic’ location named the cheapest place to rent in Britain — and what you’ll need to earn to live there --[Reported by Umva mag]

A scenic photograph of a lake with rugged landscape behind — Want to escape the city for cheap rent? Look no further (Picture: Getty Images/RooM RF)

It’s no secret that the state of the British rental market is dire.

In August 2024, data from the Office for National Statistics found the Big Smoke to be the most expensive place for renters in the UK, with the average rent coming in at a whopping £2,129.

The situation is relatively grim everywhere though, as rents increased by 8.4% between August 2023 and 2024, though this was down from 8.6% in the same year prior.

Looking to shave a few coins off your monthly rent payment? We don’t blame you.

a house next to a river after fresh snow with clear blue skies, a picturesque winter scene — Dumfries and Galloway is gorgeous during the winter (Picture: Getty Images/500px Prime)

Now, new data has revealed the ‘scenic’ location with the cheapest rents – and it’s so charming that it’s not just the price that gives the pull factor.

Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland was found to offer the lowest average monthly rent prices at £483 on average.

Coming in at £5,796 per year, Go.Compare’s study found that this requires a salary of £19,320 – which is lower than the national average, placed at around £35,830 per year by the latest ONS data.

In second and third place were Hartlepool and Burnley with monthly costs of £534 and £573 respectively, requiring salaries of £21,360 and £22,920.

a view down the river Dee at low tide showing the boats in the harbour at Kircudbright, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland. The church steeple is in the background — The River Dee also offers scenic harbour-side views (Picture: Getty Images)

Alongside the top 10 locations offering the cheapest rent, the Go.Compare data assessed the top five most affordable regions, with North East England coming out on top with an average yearly rental price of £8,184 (necessitating a salary of £27,280).

London was nowhere to be seen, as next up was Wales (£9,024), followed by Yorkshire and the Humber (£9,564), East Midlands (£10,032) and North West England (£10,206).

Things to do in Dumfries and Galloway

Known for its stunning coastline and bountiful forest space, Dumfries and Galloway is inundated with beauty.

Undoubtedly, the local area offers plenty of opportunities to get active outdoors, offering cycling trails across the region spanning mountain biking, gravel and road biking.

The River Nith and old bridge at Dumfries, Scotland. — The River Nith is another beautiful local spot (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto)

There’s also the Galloway Forest Park, which is an International Dark Sky Park situated amid 300 square miles of beautiful woodland. Here, Bruce’s Stone offers picturesque, 360 views over Loch Trool, while the skies over Clatteringshaws Loch are particularly striking.

Into history? Caerlaverock Castle is one of Scotland’s most famous medieval fortresses, featuring a moat, twin-towered gatehouse and looming battlements. Though it’s technically in ruins, much of it is still in one piece – and tickets start at £3.50 per person.

Galloway Forest Park covering woodland in Dumfries and Galloway. The park was granted Dark Sky Park status ( — Galloway Forest Park has been granted Dark Sky status (Picture: Getty Images)

If you’ve got a slightly more adventurous streak, Galloway Canyoning provides the opportunity to try hiking, climbing, and river tubing.

Fancy a tipple? Ninefold Distillery, found in Lockerbie, is the only rum distillery in the south of Scotland. The company makes rum from scratch in what used to be a cattle byre on the Dormont Estate, producing unaged rums, spiced rums and barrel-aged rums.

The top five most affordable British regions, according to Go.Compare

North East England (average annual rental price: £8,184, salary needed: £27,280)
Wales (£9,024, salary needed: £30,080)
Yorkshire and the Humber (£9,564, £31,880)
East Midlands (£10,032, £33,440)
North West England (£10,260, £34,200).

The top 10 cheapest areas to rent in Britain, according to Go.Compare

Dumfries and Galloway (average annual rental price: £5,796, salary needed: £19,320)
Hartlepool (£6,408, £21,360)
Burnley (£6,876, £22,920)
Redcar and Cleveland (£6,924, £23,080)
Hyndburn (£6,948, £23,160)
Neath Port Talbot (£7,032, £23,440)
Darlington (£7,044, £23,480)
Blaenau Gwent (£7,056, £23,520)
Pendle (£7,068, £23,560)
Kingston-upon-Hull (£7,200, £24,000).

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