St Albans is the most expensive city to rent in outside London, according to new analysis from Rightmove.
Tenants in the Hertfordshire city pay an average of £2,307 pcm per calendar month, which is 71% higher than the UK average.
The data comes as students prepare for the new semester, with rental price increases noticeable in university towns across the country. 
In contrast to the most expensive areas, Carlisle has the cheapest rents in the UK, with the average rent being £791 per month, 41% lower than the national average.
Average advertising rents outside London are currently at a record high of £1,349 per month, with annual growth currently at 5%, easing from the 12% peak recorded in 2022.
Tim Bannister, property expert at Rightmove, said: “The rent disparity across the UK is stark, with the average difference between the most expensive and cheapest cities being just over £1,500.”
“In many of these cities, rents have risen by more than 40% over the past five years, meaning rent is likely to be an important consideration when students are thinking about where to study, and for students who have already graduated, when considering whether they can afford to stay and find work in the city.”
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The most expensive cities to rent in
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