New study highlights huge regional disparity in UK student accommodation costs

Estate and letting agent comparison specialists, Rentround, have completed a new 2026 analysis on student rental costs across the UK, ranking universities by the average asking rent in their postcode areas.

With the cost of living still putting pressure on students, the data highlights enormous regional imbalance, with average monthly rents near central London universities now exceeding £3,000–£5,000, while northern university towns remain under £800 - as ever, location remains one of the biggest drivers of affordability.

Universities where students pay the least rent – Top 10 

This table highlights the 10 UK universities located in the cheapest rental areas, based on average asking rents in 2026.

The rankings are calculated by matching each university’s main campus postcode to the average asking rent for that postcode district, using current market data. Unsurprisingly, the most affordable student locations are concentrated in the North of England, Wales, and smaller regional cities, where rental supply is stronger, and demand pressures are lower.

For students prioritising lower rent over nightlife or prestige, these universities continue to offer some of the best value for money in the UK, often hundreds of pounds per month cheaper than studying in London or the South East.

Universities where students pay the most rent – Top 10 

At the other end of the scale, this table shows the 10 most expensive universities for student renters in 2026, based purely on local rental market conditions.

London dominates the list, with universities in Zone 1 and inner London postcodes facing exceptionally high asking rents. In some cases, average monthly rents near campus now exceed £3,000–£5,000, reflecting intense competition from professionals, international tenants, and limited housing supply.

Outside London, traditionally expensive cities such as Bristol, Bath, Oxford and Cambridge also feature prominently, driven by constrained rental stock and consistently high demand.

For students attending these universities, accommodation costs can now rival or exceed tuition fees, making location a critical financial consideration when choosing where to study.

Top 10 universities in the UK & their rental amounts

This table combines academic prestige with real-world affordability, showing the Top 10 UK universities according to the Complete University Guide 2026, alongside the average asking rent near each campus.

While elite universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial and LSE continue to rank highly academically, their surrounding rental markets vary dramatically, with London-based institutions sitting at the very top of the cost scale.

The data highlights a growing divide: some of the UK’s best-ranked universities are now located in among the most expensive rental markets in the country, while others, particularly outside the capital, remain comparatively affordable. This comparison helps students and parents understand the true cost of attending a top university, beyond tuition fees alone.

"Students and parents increasingly factor rental costs heavily into the decision of where to study, particularly given how much accommodation now contributes to the overall cost of a degree," explained Rentround founder, Raj Dosanjh. 

"While league tables remain important, the data shows that the rental gap between two highly ranked universities can run into thousands of pounds per year. For applicants choosing between top institutions, that difference can materially affect their financial planning."

"Having transparent, postcode-level rent data allows families to weigh up academic reputation alongside the real-world cost of living before making what is often a three-year commitment."