THE ONLY WAY IS… SUNDERLAND
New research from SpareRoom reveals that smaller cities and towns are driving rental demand post pandemic
- New research1 from the UK’s leading flatshare site SpareRoom reveals Sunderland has seen the biggest increase in rental demand in the UK, up 165% in the last two years with the average room rent in the city rising by nearly a quarter (24%)
- Conversely, London’s change in demand is amongst the lowest in the UK, up just 11% since Q1 2020
- However, the capital remains the UK’s most expensive place (£794 p/m) to rent a room2
- Bradford, Swansea, Smethwick and Barnsley complete the top five locations with the biggest increase in demand
- Demand is up nationwide, with towns and smaller cities seeing the biggest increases, while major cities like London, Manchester and Liverpool are seeing less of an increase
New research reveals that Sunderland has experienced the biggest increase in rental demand of all the main UK towns/cities. Data from the UK’s leading flatshare service, SpareRoom, showed that listings posted on the platform for rooms in Sunderland saw a 165% increase in demand since Q1 2020, with the average cost of a room also rising by nearly a quarter (24%) in just two years.
Interestingly, the majority of places with the biggest increase in demand are towns/smaller cities such as Swansea (147%), Smethwick (122%) and Barnsley (115%), whilst bigger cities, such as Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham and Leeds – traditionally more popular with renters – saw less of a change.
Top 10 towns/cities that saw the biggest increase in demand
| Location | Demand change % (Q1 2022 vs Q1 2020) | |
| 1 | Sunderland | +165% |
| 2 | Bradford | +152% |
| 3 | Swansea | +147% |
| 4 | Smethwick | +122% |
| 5 | Barnsley | +115% |
| 6 | Dundee | +113% |
| 7 | Huddersfield | +110% |
| 8 | Truro | +103% |
| 9 | Eastbourne | +101% |
| 10 | Birkenhead | +99% |
Change in Demand for Key UK Cities
| Location | Demand change % (Q1 2022 vs Q1 2020) |
| Cardiff | +74% |
| Glasgow | +66% |
| Birmingham | +60% |
| Sheffield | +59% |
| Newcastle Upon Tyne | +54% |
| Belfast | +46% |
| Manchester | +42% |
| Liverpool | +39% |
| Edinburgh | +39% |
| Leeds | +33% |
| London | +11% |
Despite being one of the busiest cities in the world, change in rental demand in London is amongst the slowest in the UK, up just 11% since Q1 2020; however, the capital remains the most expensive location, setting renters back an average of £794 per month for a room.
As well as seeing the biggest increase in demand, Sunderland also experienced the biggest rent hikes over the last two years, with rents increasing 24% from £327 p/m to £406 p/m.
Other locations that saw rent increases above 20% include Bognor Regis (23%), Southall (22%) and Great Yarmouth (20%).
Birmingham was the only location where average rents fell, with a room now averaging £421 p/m, 4% lower than in 2020 (£437 p/m).
Top 10 Locations that Saw the Biggest Rent Increases (2022 vs 2020)
| Location | Average monthly room rent Q1 2022 | Average monthly room rent Q1 2020 | Rent change (%) Q1 2022 vs Q1 2020 | ||
| 1 | Sunderland | £406 | £327 | +24% | |
| 2 | Bognor Regis | £580 | £472 | +23% | |
| 3 | Southall | £652 | £534 | +22% | |
| 4 | Great Yarmouth | £491 | £408 | +20% | |
| 5 | Belfast | £452 | £380 | +19% | |
| 6 | Torquay | £504 | £424 | +19% | |
| 7 | Worthing | £608 | £521 | +17% | |
| 8 | Truro | £539 | £464 | +16% | |
| 9 | Corby | £482 | £416 | +16% | |
| 10 | Scunthorpe | £425 | £369 | +15% |
Rent Increases for Key UK Cities
| Location | Average monthly room rent Q1 2022 | Average monthly room rent Q1 2020 | Rent change (%) Q1 2022 vs Q1 2020 |
| Glasgow | £552 | £485 | +14% |
| Cardiff | £506 | £448 | +13% |
| Manchester | £531 | £474 | +12% |
| Leeds | £484 | £433 | +12% |
| Newcastle Upon Tyne | £453 | £406 | +12% |
| Sheffield | £432 | £391 | +10% |
| Edinburgh | £611 | £576 | +6% |
| Liverpool | £413 | £393 | +5% |
| London | £794 | £771 | +3% |
| Birmingham | £421 | £437 | -4% |
Matt Hutchinson, SpareRoom Director, said: “Cities are often the most expensive places to rent, so as the cost of living rises and rents quickly follow suit, it’s no surprise people are looking for more affordable options. The pandemic and remote working have given people more flexibility and the data reflects that. London and the South East aren’t driving change in demand, as you might have expected pre-pandemic.
“If demand continues to grow across the country, and supply doesn’t start to catch up, we may well see record high rents in the UK this summer. That won’t be welcome news for renters, especially with bills set to increase again in October.”
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