The 20 Cheapest Places to Live in England

The cost of living in the United Kingdom is higher than in the United States, in many cases. There are more people distributed over a smaller portion of land. Some of the larger cities have people stacked up in some areas. It’s harder to find semi-permanent housing, but it can be done. If you’re on the lookout, some parts of England are quite affordable. If you’re making plans to move to England and you’re looking for the most affordable places to live, here is our pick for the top 20 cheapest.

20. Barking and Dagenham, England

According to Zoopla, Barking and Dagenham is a borough of London. While overall, living in this massive city is expensive, this is one of the boroughs that offers a pocket of affordability. The pay is generally higher in London, and choosing to buy a home in this borough amounts to a cost that is around 5.4 times the local average pay at around £341,432.

19. Erith, England

The average asking price for homes in Erith is £289,955. Homes sit on the market an average of 145 days in this city. The median selling price turns out to be around £260,000, making it a bit more affordable to buy a home in Erith than in the boroughs of London. It’s not difficult to find a home for sale in Erith and it averages listings of around 79 homes at any given time. An average of 9 listed properties are sold in fourteen days average, so there are plenty to choose from. Some are more expensive but some of the homes present affordable options.

18. Aveley, England

You can find affordable housing in Aveley if you look hard. While the median price of a 4 bedroom home is expensive at £265,000, you can find a one-bedroom flat for much less. If you’re a single person or a couple, you can find a home much cheaper as a starter for a range of between £182,500 to £172,500.

17. Dover, England

The average cost of a house in Dover is £273,270. The median selling price is at £220,000. You need to move fast if you find a good deal in Dover, as the median time that a house is on the market is 55 days with an overall average of 148 days. It doesn’t take long for listings to get gobbled up. It’s one of the more desirable places to live if you’re looking for affordability.

16. Cinderford, England

Cinderford is situated in the Forest of Dean, and it offers lovely views for outdoor enthusiasts. Cinderford is in the Southwest part of England and it offers more affordable housing than London. The average house price is £190,707. This amounts to 3.16 times the average local income, which isn’t that bad when you compare it with the ratio for people living in London’s neighborhoods.

15. Purfleet, England

According to Home.co.uk, Purfleet is situated in Thurrock in the East part of England. This is another desirable and affordable place to live. The average price of a home in Purfleet is £194,998 with a median selling price of £190,000. At any given time you’ll find between 20 and 30 homes for sale in the area. The average time a listing spends on the market is 183 days to the sale.

14. Withernsea, England

Withernsea is a city that is located in the East Riding of Yorkshire in England. This is one of the more desirable places to live in the region with plenty of amenities and places to get out and enjoy the countryside. The cost of a home is more affordable than the previous cities on our list. The average cost of a home is £119,148. This represents a price-to-earnings ratio for the average worker in Withernsea of 2.07 which is not bad at all. If you’re a college student, single, or a couple just starting you can find even more affordable housing with one-bedroom flats being plenteous.

13. Gainsborough, England

If you’re looking for affordable housing for one to two people to share then Gainsborough might be a good place to start looking. On average, you can find a one-bedroom flat that costs between £65,000 and £71,125. You have to move fast though. The average time that one of these smaller flats stays on the market is only 40 days. This gives you a good idea of how badly people want to own property in Gainsborough. Gainsborough is located in West Lindsey and it is one of the most affordable places in the East Midland of England.

12. Peterlee, England

Peterlee is located in Country Durham. If you’re in the market to purchase a home to live in, this is one of the more affordable places. According to House Beautiful, The average cost of a house in Peterlee is £71,000. It’s far more affordable than in London, and there are some good deals available on housing right now.

11. Ferryhill, England

Ferryhill is also located in County Durham. Those who are looking for a house to buy can save a little more in this town, which is slightly more affordable than Peterlee. The average selling price of a house in Ferryhill is £70,000. The average wage earner brings home around £28,000 annually, which offers a decent price to wage ratio. What makes Ferryhill such a desirable place to live is that it is one of the smaller towns with a population of 9,362 residents. It is just the 12th largest town in County Durham, which still has a fairly rural feeling, yet you have access to all of the amenities of a moderate-sized city. Ferryhill was once a coal mining town in the early 1900s and the mines ran up until 1968 when they closed down for good. This is a peaceful place to live, but there is also plenty to do if you desire entertainment, concerts, walks in the parks, or local museums.

10. Shildon, England

Shildon is located in the East of England in County Durham. It is known for its historical railway system and features a train museum. Shildon is one of the more affordable places to live for people who are interested in buying a house. The average selling price of a home is £60,000. The average annual income in Shildon is £28,000, which equals a 2.11 price-to-earnings ratio.

9. Doncaster, England

According to Skint Dad, Doncaster is one of the cheapest places to live in England if you’re looking for a home to purchase. The average cost of buying a home in this town is £39,950. The city is located in the South Yorkshire region. There are plenty of amenities such as an art gallery, a museum, a wildlife park, and also the Doncaster Racecourse. There is even an airport in the city. It has a maritime climate that is moderate and comfortable for most of the year.

8. Bradford, England

Bradford is located in the West Yorkshire area. It is known for its affordable housing that runs on average £39,000 for a starter home. If you’re a fan of lush green countryside, woods, parklands, and reservoirs, then this may be the ideal place for you to settle. Bradford is listed as a UNESCO Creative City. You’ll marvel at its numerous cultural activities, the lovely cobblestone streets, and all of the wonderful amenities such as shopping, dining, outdoor recreation, and indoor entertainment options.

7. Redcar and Cleveland, England

Redcar and Cleveland are situated in the Northeast part of England. This is a collection of several small towns that includes not only Redcar and Cleveland but also towns named Guisborough and Saltburn-by-the-Sea. The average cost of a home in these towns is £38,820. If you enjoy outdoor activities, you’ll have plenty of options such as lovely countryside to take long and peaceful walks, a coastline for fun at the beach, and a host of pristine nature preserve to see the wildlife of England at its finest. There is plenty of open space in this area.

6. Rotherham, England

Rotherham is another exceptional choice if you’re looking for affordable housing. This is one of the better places to find affordable homes for sale. The average cost of a starter home is £36,750. There are quite a few things to do in Rotherham. It’s located in South Yorkshire near the River Don. There is a science museum, and Rotherham is good for sponsoring a host of community events for the public. If you’re fond of concerts this is a great place to call home, plus the cost of homeownership is affordable.

5. Middlesbrough, England

Middlesbrough is a lovely town to live and there is a ton of culture available for the pleasure of the residents of this happy town. The average cost of a starter home is £35,000. Housing is in good supply in this town, giving you several homes to choose from. The town is home to a university so plan on seeing a lot of students walking around. It ranks high on education, and the city is also known for its musical heritage, the annual Mela festival, the Art Weekender festival, and its large leisure park. There are also plenty of places to go for day hikes in the area.

4. Burnley, England

Burnley is another place in England that offers affordable housing. If you work in Manchester, you can hop aboard the commuter train and get to the city in less than an hour. This is a great and much more affordable alternative to living in Manchester if you don’t mind the ride. The average cost of a home is £34,750. There are many tone houses available with the old style and charm of years gone by. This is a town that is near a few national parks and it offers plenty of things to do for people who enjoy the great outdoors.

3. Sandwell, England

Sandwell is one of the most affordable places to live in England. It’s located in the West Midlands region and it offers one of the cheapest places to buy a home in England. The average cost of a starter home in Sandwell is £33,300. The town is known for its plenteous schools and numerous attractions including an art gallery, a museum, a park, and much more. This is a family-friendly community that seems to always have community events going on.

2. Birmingham, England

According to Funky Travel, Birmingham is one of the most affordable places to live in England if you like big city living, but you don’t want to pay a lot to rent a place to live. Birmingham is the home of 2.5 million residents. The average cost of living is £1050/month. That includes the cost of rent and any utilities and other essentials of life. Birmingham is a city that offers all of the amenities you could ever desire, but it’s only recommended for those who enjoy the hustle and bustle of a larger city.

1. Norwich, England

Norwich is a city that is for those who like to take things a bit slower and enjoy a less hectic pace of life. Norwich is a smaller and quieter place to live. It’s surrounded by beautiful country sides and coastlines. This is a historic area that has some sites that go back to the Medieval age. The cost of living is among the most affordable at £1000/month. If you want to live in an affordable city with a rich history that goes back more than 800 years, you’ll be thrilled with Norwich.