Savills research, shared exclusively with Guardian Money, has identified the top 10 UK cities for young workers who want to rent, save for a deposit, and get on the property ladder. The rankings are based on property affordability, rent-to-income ratios, flat price-to-income ratios, and population growth.
Stoke-on-Trent: Most affordable starter city
Stoke-on-Trent tops the list with an average flat price of £88,448, average one-bedroom monthly rent of £664, and average annual earnings of £35,079. The flat price-to-income ratio is 2.5, the lowest among the cities surveyed. Joe Shenton of eXp estate agents notes that students often rent near the University of Staffordshire or Keele University before buying in outer areas like Trentham, where a three-bedroom semi can start at £250,000. Stoke offers good connectivity via the A500, A50, and M6, with trains to London in under 90 minutes and to Manchester in 35 minutes. Major employers include JCB and Emma Bridgewater, the latter offering graduate placements and apprenticeships.
Hull: Affordable living by the water
Hull ranks second with an average flat price of £91,815, monthly rent of £670, and annual earnings of £34,497. The flat price-to-income ratio is 2.7. Matthew Limb of Limb Estate Agents says young tenants prefer central areas like Victoria Dock and Humber Street, while first-time buyers move to the Dukeries, Kingswood, and Hessle for amenities. Big employers include Smith+Nephew, Siemens Gamesa, and the University of Hull. Limb highlights the combination of affordability, employment, and quality of life, with waterside living and easy access to the Yorkshire Wolds.
Derby: Industrial hub with strong employment
Derby has an average flat price of £111,529, monthly rent of £770, and annual earnings of £38,532, with a price-to-income ratio of 2.9. Taj Gill of eXp says Derby is the industrial hub of the East Midlands, with major employers like Alstom (building trains for the Elizabeth line) and Rolls-Royce. Students rent in the city centre and Chester Green, while young families head to Allestree. Two regeneration projects include 1,000 new homes and an expanded theatre.
Milton Keynes: New town with strong jobs market
Milton Keynes, turning 60 next year, has an average flat price of £177,694, monthly rent of £1,280, and annual earnings of £40,919, with a price-to-income ratio of 4.3. Maurice Lange of Centre for Cities calls it the urban growth story of the millennium, well-located for London, Oxford, and Cambridge. Major employers include Red Bull Racing, Santander, and the Open University. Young professionals rent near the station or Campbell Park, with amenities like Willen Lake and Xscape centre.
Liverpool: Cheaper than Manchester
Liverpool has an average flat price of £160,286, monthly rent of £841, and annual earnings of £36,371, with a price-to-income ratio of 4.4. It is cheaper than Manchester, where flats cost about £130,000 more. 76% of students stay after graduation, attracted by jobs in banking, fintech, and the cultural scene. Popular areas include Castle Street, Vauxhall, and Walton. The Tobacco Warehouse redevelopment saw a third of buyers being first-time buyers, according to Nick Goldsworthy of Logic.
Plymouth: Defence and outdoor lifestyle
Plymouth has an average flat price of £152,286, monthly rent of £805, and annual earnings of £33,930, with a price-to-income ratio of 4.5. The government's defence investment plan boosts jobs at Babcock, the major employer. Young professionals gravitate to Peverell, St Jude's, and the Barbican. The Royal William Yard has been transformed into shops and homes, and The Box museum was named Art Fund museum of 2026.
Southampton: Green city with maritime scene
Southampton has an average flat price of £170,211, monthly rent of £914, and annual earnings of £36,462, with a price-to-income ratio of 4.7. It is one of the UK's greenest cities with 50 parks. The University of Southampton, NHS, and port-related businesses are major employers. Young professionals rent in Ocean Village, while first-time buyers find options in Shirley. The New Forest is nearby for outdoor activities.
Cardiff: Affordable alternative to Bristol
Cardiff has an average flat price of £174,944, monthly rent of £1,030, and annual earnings of £36,405, with a price-to-income ratio of 4.8. Claire Turner of Savills says many graduates stay or move from other Welsh universities. Cardiff Bay has been regenerated with the Wales Millennium Centre and Mermaid Quay. Major employers include Admiral and Starling Bank. Canton is popular for renting, with two-bedroom apartments under £1,000 pcm.
Glasgow: Cultural hub with growing economy
Glasgow has an average flat price of £195,800, monthly rent of £1,006, and annual earnings of £38,874, with a price-to-income ratio of 5. It was named European Capital of Culture in 1990 and Unesco City of Music in 2008. Population growth is strong, unlike Aberdeen and Dundee. Lisa Pitchers of Rettie says graduates stay and buy in areas like Dennistoun, where one-bedroom flats rent for £750 pcm and buy from £185,000. Return-to-office mandates are increasing city-centre purchases.
Norwich: Science and arts focus
Norwich has an average flat price of £159,671, monthly rent of £890, and annual earnings of £32,019, with a price-to-income ratio of 5. Hannie Theobald of Jackson-Stops says the Norwich Research Park, one of Europe's largest, drives employment. Renters and buyers head to the north side, where terrace cottages start from £350,000. The area has independent shops and pubs like the Rosebery and Stanley.
Methodology: The index is based on data from Savills, Oxford Economics, and the Land Registry, including average second-hand flat prices up to 2025, workplace annual earnings by local authority, and average monthly asking rent for one-bedroom flats for the 12 months to February 2026. Rankings were sense-checked with the Centre for Cities thinktank.
