The Most Affordable City To Rent A Home In Yorkshire 2025

Ever feel like your entire wage packet disappears on rent before you have even bought a coffee? Finding an affordable place to live can feel like searching for a needle in a haystack, especially in popular urban areas. But what if the best value was hiding somewhere unexpected?

A new report published on 24 November 2025 has analysed rental data across Yorkshire, and the city that topped the list for affordability might just surprise you. It is already earning glowing reviews from people who have moved there from much pricier parts of the country.

What makes a city affordable anyway?

Before revealing the rankings, it helps to understand how affordability is measured. It is not just about cheap rent. A company called Canopy, which supports both tenants and landlords, analysed average monthly rents in each postcode area and compared them with the average annual income of local residents.

This produces a rent-to-income ratio. The lower the ratio, the more affordable the area is for the average worker.

Think of it this way: if your rent swallows most of your pay, you have less for food, bills and fun. If your rent is a smaller slice of your income, life becomes much more manageable. According to the study, one Yorkshire city stands out for offering that ideal balance.

Hull: Yorkshire’s surprise champion for affordable rent

So which city takes the crown? The answer is Hull. Hull has been named the most affordable city to rent a home in Yorkshire, beating Leeds, Sheffield, Doncaster and Wakefield.

It seems the secret is out. People who have moved there from the south of England or even mainland Europe are full of praise for the city. Many originally chose Hull because of the lower house prices, but have stayed because they genuinely enjoy living there.

One resident said: “I moved here five years ago and I love it. There is lots to do with kids, great pubs, and the house prices are great.” Another person added: “I moved from the south and I like it. I can actually afford to live. There is just as much to do here as in other cities where I have lived. People are nicer too.”

Hull’s friendly, down-to-earth feel seems to be a huge draw. Someone else described it as a place that “does not feel too big or have the ego that some cities have,” adding a helpful tip: “Look for HU5 towards the Anlaby or Willerby area as this is the nicer part.”

More than just cheap rent

People are discovering that Hull offers far more than low prices. Even those moving from pricey areas like Harrogate describe Hull as having a “very good city centre” and “lots to do,” calling the move the “best decision we ever made.”

A particularly striking account came from someone who moved from mainland Europe. At first, they “despaired” at the idea of relocating, but the reality won them over. They found “pretty much everything I am looking for in a city,” including an impressive arts scene, independent shops, a lively food and drink offer, and a huge range of leisure activities from climbing to surfing.

Hull is proving to be full of surprises for newcomers.

Yorkshire’s rental hotspots: the countdown

Hull sits comfortably at number one, but plenty of other Yorkshire locations offer strong affordability. The Canopy report highlights these nine areas as the best options based on rent-to-income ratio, starting from the ninth most affordable and counting down.

Rank — City/Town — Average Monthly Rent — Average Annual Income — Rent-to-Income Ratio

9 — Huddersfield — £610 — £21,521 — 37.6 percent
8 — York — £667 — £23,652 — 37.1 percent
7 — Leeds — £664 — £24,248 — 35.7 percent
6 — Sheffield — £622 — £23,787 — 34.7 percent
5 — Bradford — £596 — £22,761 — 34.6 percent
4 — Wakefield — £614 — £23,975 — 33.9 percent
3 — Halifax — £582 — £23,350 — 32.3 percent
2 — Doncaster — £583 — £23,963 — 32.0 percent
1 — Hull — Data not provided, but ranked number 1 for lowest ratio

This list shows just how varied Yorkshire’s rental market is. From student-friendly Huddersfield, to historic York, to the industrial heritage of Halifax and Bradford, there is a real range of affordable options. Whether you want the buzz of Leeds or a quieter base like Wakefield, there are places across the county where you can enjoy a good quality of life without breaking the bank.