Stoke-on-Trent has been named the most affordable city for university students in the UK, with Staffordshire University offering the lowest cost of living nationwide. This is according to new research from the tutoring platform Edumentors, which assessed 80 towns and cities across the UK.
The study examined 24 cost-of-living factors, including accommodation, food, transport, and leisure, using data from Numbeo and Student Crowd. Researchers weighted each factor based on its contribution to overall expenses, with housing costs identified as the most significant.
Stoke-on-Trent secured the top spot with an overall affordability score of 76.59 out of 100. The city ranked highly across several key living cost indicators, with student accommodation averaging £132 per week and private rent at £450 per month. The city is also among the top 10 locations for affordable basic food items, including essentials like bread, eggs, and chicken.
Nightlife costs are similarly manageable, with Stoke ranking 8th for low taxi fares and 11th for affordable beer prices.
Durham, home to Durham University, ranked second overall and is the most affordable city for students attending a Russell Group institution. While student accommodation in Durham is pricier than in Stoke at £172 per week, private rents outside the city centre are among the lowest in the UK at £362 per month. Food and drink costs in Durham fall just below the national average, with a basic supermarket shop estimated at £41.94. Public transport is also affordable, with a monthly travel pass priced at £65.
In third place is Bangor in Wales, offering the lowest cost of living for students in the country. Student accommodation in Bangor averages £156 per week, and private rental properties cost around £375 per month. The city’s grocery prices are also competitive, particularly for fruit, vegetables, and meat, while petrol prices align with the national average at £1.43 per litre.
Carmarthen, another Welsh town, placed fourth on the list. It offers some of the cheapest student accommodation in the UK at £130 per week. Carmarthen also boasts affordable food prices, with key items like bread and chicken being among the cheapest in the country. Dining out is particularly budget-friendly, with meals costing around £7.00.
Keele, Staffordshire, ranked fifth. Located just a few miles from Stoke-on-Trent, Keele shares many of its affordable characteristics but has slightly more expensive student housing at £159 per week.
Sunderland, Ormskirk, and Middlesbrough also featured in the top 10, offering low accommodation costs and competitive grocery prices. Dundee was Scotland’s most affordable city for students, ranking ninth nationally. Meanwhile, Hull completed the top 10, with affordable accommodation and food prices.
In contrast, London remains the most expensive city for students due to high residential costs, with average student accommodation reaching up to £425 per week.
Commenting on the findings, Tornike Asatiani, CEO of Edumentors, highlighted that rent remains the most significant factor influencing overall student living costs, particularly in the Midlands and North of England, where living expenses are notably lower than in southern regions.
