Finding a place to call home isn’t so much about price as it is about safety, comfort, and quality of life in the years to come. Finding out about the cheapest and safest place to live in the UK will go a long way, whether you are looking forward to buying your first home, moving for work, or simply seeking a cheap rental.
Take a moment to look into other factors influencing your decision: the cost of houses, rent, public transport, and crime rates. This guide will take you through the least expensive and safest areas that the UK has to offer, enabling you to find that ideal place to settle down.
💡 UK Crime Statistics to compare various areas by crime rates.
How to Identify the Cheapest Places to Live in the UK?
Some of these factors are sub-sub-factors that can lead to identifying the actual cheap place.
✔ Price/Earnings Ratio: Prices of average houses compared to the salaries/wages of the area.
✔ Average Rent: Cost of renting residential properties.
✔ Costs of Living: Includes utilities, groceries, transport, and services.
✔ Accessibility of Public Transport: Includes commute costs and connection to major cities.
💡 UK House Price Index for current property market trends.
How to Identify the Safest Places to Live in the UK?
Safety is just as important as being able to afford it. A number of criteria determines safe locations like:
✔ The lower the better: Crime Rates per 1,000 Population.
✔ Community presence & policing: Well-patrolled areas deter crime.
✔ Low levels of anti-social behaviour: Less vandalism, less break-ins, and less disturbances.
✔ Good safety lighting & public safety measures: Well-lit streets with active security helps with safety improvement.
💡Visit The UK Gov for more insights on crime & safety ratings.
Let’s take you through the top 10 cheapest and safest place to live in the UK
Finding the Cheapest Place to Live in the UK
If you’re actively looking for the cheapest place to live in the UK, you’ll find that affordability doesn’t always mean compromising on safety. Cities like Durham, Stirling, and Lancaster frequently top the list because they offer low living costs and are also known for community friendliness and stability. These locations represent the perfect balance of value and peace of mind.
Get to know about: Cheapest Place to Buy a House in UK
Top 10 Cheapest and Safest Place to live in the UK
1️- Durham
🏡 Average Rent: £650/month (City) | £360/month (Suburb)
💷 Utility Bills: £235/month
🚇 Public Transport Pass: £55/month
🛡️ Safest Rating: 7.58 crimes per 100 residents
Why move to Durham?
✔ Cheap house prices and rentals
✔ Great transport links to Newcastle
✔ Historical sites, green areas, home to Durham University
2️- Leicester
🏡 Average Rent: £455/month
💷 Utility Bills: £100/month
🚇 Transport Pass: £50/month
🛡️ Safety Rating: 128 crimes per 1,000 residents
Why move to Leicester?
✔ Cheap housing compared to London & Manchester
✔ Job opportunities & solid economy
✔ Lots of restaurants, bars & entertainment
3️- Lancaster
🏡 Average Rent: £567/month (City) | £440/month (Suburb)
💷 Utility Bills: £172/month
🚇 Transport Pass: £80/month
🛡️ Safety Rating: 46 crimes per 1,000
Why move to Lancaster?
✔ Lots of history-close to beautiful countryside
✔ Lancaster Castle offers pleasant riverside walks
✔ Very low cost of living & quality amenities
4️- Cardiff
🏡 Average Rent: £663/month (City) | £504/month (Suburbs)
💷 Utility Bills: £202/month
🚇 Transport Pass: £53/month
🛡️ Safety Rating: 103 crimes per 1,000
Why move to Cardiff?
✔ Compared to other capital cities in the UK, it is much cheaper
✔ Public transport is at good rates
✔ Excellent urban life and maritime environmental beauty
5️- Newcastle
🏡 Average Rent: £650/month (City) | £450/month (Suburbs)
Utility Bills: £130/month
🚇Transport Pass: £46.50/month
🛡️ Safety Rating: 41 crimes per 1,000 residents
Why move to Newcastle?
✔ Affordable housing; lively nightlife; and a promising job sector
✔ Beaches and wonderful countryside on your doorstep
✔ An ever-growing student and professional community
Read more on best cities to live in Britain
6-Aberdeen.
🏡 Average Rent: £650/month
💷 Utility Bills: £150/month
🚇 Transport Pass: £50/month
🛡️ Safety Rating: 30 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Why move to Aberdeen?
✔ One of Scotland’s safest cities
✔ The cost of living is recorded lower compared to Glasgow & Edinburgh
✔ Healthy job market, more specifically in the energy area.
7-Sheffield .
🏡 Average Rent: £670/month
💷 Utility Bills: £120/month
🚇 Transport Pass: £47/month
🛡️ Safety Rating: 90 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Why move to Sheffield?
✔ Comparatively low crime against major UK cities
✔ Affordable housing and rental prices
✔ Extensive green areas and outdoor activities.
8-Plymouth.
🏡 Average Rent: £625/month
💷 Utility Bills: £140/month
🚇 Transport Pass: £50/month
🛡️ Safety Rating: 64 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Reasons to move to Plymouth include;
✔ A coastal city that has beautiful views of the sea
✔ One of the safest cities in the UK
✔ Affordable when compared to cities down south.
Read more on cheapest places to buy a house in London
9- Stirling
🏡 Average Rent: £500/month
💷 Utility Bills: £115/month
🚇 Transport Pass: £45/month
🛡️ Safety Rating: 28 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Why stay in Stirling?
✔ Old historical Scottish city with a small-town vibe
✔ Very good transport network leading to Glasgow & Edinburgh
✔ The most economical city on the list for living costs in Scotland.
10- Norwich
🏡 Average Rent: £620/month
💷 Utility Bills: £135/month
🚇 Transport Pass: £50/month
🛡️ Safety Rating: 33 crimes per 1,000 residents.
Reasons for moving to Norwich include;
✔ Very low crime rates and a very friendly community
✔ Less expensive compared to London and Cambridge
✔ Lots of cultural attractions and outdoor spaces.
Comparing the Cheapest Places to Live in EnglandWhen narrowing down the cheapest places to live in England, it’s important to go beyond just rental or property prices. Consider overall living expenses, access to employment hubs, and quality of life. Leicester and Sheffield are excellent examples, offering affordability while maintaining access to job markets and cultural activities.
How to Choose the Best Place to Live?
When considering the cheapest and safest place to live in the UK, keep the following in mind:
✔ Your Budget – Are you able to afford the rent/mortgage repayments without any stress?
✔ Accessibility to Work/Family – Is it even prudent to commute?
✔ Safety Ratings – Read on crime statistics before you move in.
✔ Lifestyle & Community – Does this place resonate with your interests & values?
Discover the best neighbourhoods to live in UK
Conclusion
A Closer Look at the Safest Towns UK Offers“
✨ While researching the safest towns UK has available, consider not just crime statistics but also community engagement, public lighting, and emergency response times. These all contribute to the overall feeling of safety that makes a town truly liveable
At London Stays, we assist people in finding the perfect place to live when renting or when purchasing.
🚀 Looking for your dream home? Speak to London Stays today!
FAQs
Which is the cheapest city to live in the UK?
Durham, Leicester, and Newcastle are places considered among the cheapest cities with low living costs.
Which UK cities have the lowest crime rate?
Among major cities, Newcastle and Lancaster have some of the lowest crime rates.
Yes! Cardiff offers cheap rent, affordable transport, and a lesser cost of living than that of London.
What would be the best UK city for families?
Durham & Leicester can be considered good for families because of their affordable housing and strong communities.
Where do I start looking for cheap housing in the UK?
London Stays offers affordable pricing that suits all your needs.
