1. London
- Average Monthly Rent: £2,235
- Annual Increase: +9.9%
London continues to lead the pack — and not in a good way for tenants. Although more professionals are choosing outer boroughs over Zone 1, prices across the capital have surged. The return to in-office work, combined with a huge undersupply of mid-range housing, has resulted in fierce bidding wars. In boroughs like Hackney, Wandsworth, and Haringey, three-bedroom flats now fetch £3,000/month or more — and they’re gone within days.
2. Cambridge
- Average Monthly Rent: £1,300
- Annual Increase: +8.0%
Known for its academic roots, Cambridge has rapidly evolved into one of Europe’s most important biotech and AI hubs. This transformation has attracted thousands of high-skilled workers — and their salaries — to a small city with very limited housing stock. Many landlords now favour corporate lets over students, compounding availability issues. According to property trend data shared by Nezt, the average two-bed in Cambridge now commands 25% more than in 2022.
3. Brighton & Hove
- Average Monthly Rent: £1,616
- Annual Increase: +7.5%
Brighton’s mix of seaside charm, progressive culture, and remote work appeal has turned it into a magnet for former Londoners. That demand, however, is putting enormous strain on a city already battling short-let conversions and restrictive building regulations. Flats in Kemptown and Hove are now frequently listed at over £2,000 per month. Local councils have begun to explore licensing restrictions on Airbnb-style lets — but change has yet to materialise.
4. Oxford
- Average Monthly Rent: £1,400
- Annual Increase: +7.2%
Oxford’s historic architecture and educational pedigree belie a rapidly modernising city with growing ties to health tech and pharmaceutical industries. Unfortunately, what Oxford gains in talent and investment, it loses in housing affordability. Renters now compete with visiting academics, researchers, and hybrid-working Londoners, creating a tense and pricey market. A recent Nezt dataset found that rental availability in Oxford dropped by over 30% year-on-year.
5. Bristol
- Average Monthly Rent: £1,389
- Annual Increase: +6.9%
Bristol has cemented its status as the “green capital” of the UK — with investment pouring into sustainability, tech, and creative industries. But for tenants, this means increasing competition and cost. Average rents in the Clifton and Harbourside areas have surpassed £1,800/month, and even less central districts like Easton are seeing double-digit rent growth. Despite a strong pipeline of new developments, most are luxury-focused, doing little to ease affordability.
6. Edinburgh
- Average Monthly Rent: £1,263
- Annual Increase: +6.4%
Scotland’s capital is facing a perfect storm. Tourism is back in full swing, student numbers are up, and a growing financial sector is drawing in new residents. At the same time, short-term holiday lets dominate much of the central housing stock. Government efforts to regulate the short-let market have met resistance, and renters are feeling the pinch — with many now opting to live further afield in Leith, Gorgie, or Portobello just to keep costs under control.
7. Reading
- Average Monthly Rent: £1,250
- Annual Increase: +6.1%
Reading’s proximity to London and its fast-growing tech sector make it a strong choice for professionals — but that popularity comes at a cost. Since the opening of the Elizabeth Line, commuter demand has soared, pushing rents across the town into new territory. Corporate relocations and large-scale data centre developments are putting further stress on the housing market. Property partners working with organisations like Nezt report record levels of demand for short-term workforce accommodation.
8. Manchester
- Average Monthly Rent: £1,070
- Annual Increase: +5.7%
Manchester’s post-industrial transformation is well documented — but its impact on rents is accelerating. The Northern Quarter, Ancoats, and Deansgate now command London-level prices for one-bed apartments. According to letting agents across the city, listings often receive multiple applications within hours of going live. Build-to-rent developments are appearing at pace, but affordability remains a challenge for many younger workers and students.
9. Milton Keynes
- Average Monthly Rent: £1,239
- Annual Increase: +5.5%
Milton Keynes has quietly become one of the most desirable commuter towns in the South East, thanks to rapid transport links and the promise of HS2. With major logistics and tech employers setting up shop, the population is growing quickly — but housing development hasn’t kept up. As one of the most-requested locations on B2B housing platforms like Nezt, MK is now among the top 10 most expensive rental towns outside London.
10. Bournemouth
- Average Monthly Rent: £1,150
- Annual Increase: +4.9%
This once-sleepy coastal town has experienced a modern renaissance. With strong digital infrastructure, lifestyle-driven migration, and an uptick in remote working, Bournemouth is seeing unprecedented rental demand. Combined with low vacancy rates and investor pressure, rents have jumped significantly. The beachfront appeal has also triggered a rise in high-end short lets, reducing long-term options for residents.
📉 Final Thoughts
The surge in rental prices across these UK hotspots is a reflection of deeper systemic issues: undersupplied housing, regional job growth, and investor-driven pressure on the long-let market.
As competition intensifies, renters and employers alike are being forced to get creative — whether that’s moving further out, sharing homes, or turning to specialist housing platforms.
📌 Figures referenced in this article include sources from the ONS Private Rental Index (March 2025), Rightmove Market Trends, and independent research shared by Nezt.co.uk, a UK-based provider of workforce and group accommodation solutions.
