The vibrant UK city named 'most affordable to live in'

Avibrant UK city known for its industrial roots, cultural diversity, and strong sporting heritage has been named the most affordable city to live in. Wolverhampton, a city in the West Midlands, celebrates its rich history and community spirit.

A study conducted by estate agents Kaybridge Residentials revealed which UK metro cities offer the best of both worlds: urban amenities without the eye-watering costs. Wolverhampton claims the top spot with a score of 62.91, making it the most wallet-friendly metro city in the UK. Historically, it was a hub for manufacturing and engineering during the Industrial Revolution, particularly in steel production, lock-making, and the automotive industry.

At present, Wolverhampton blends its industrial legacy with modern development, offering vibrant arts venues like the Wolverhampton Art Gallery and the Grand Theatre, as well as green spaces such as West Park.

With average monthly rent at just £712.50 and solid post-tax income of £2,775.75, residents keep more cash in their pockets. The city's affordability ratio of 0.42 means people spend less than half their income on living costs - a dream for budget-conscious city dwellers.

The city is also home to the University of Wolverhampton, which contributes to its lively student population and academic presence. Football fans will recognize Wolverhampton as the base of Wolverhampton Wanderers F.C., affectionately known as Wolves, whose home ground is Molineux Stadium.

Stoke-on-Trent follows closely behind with 61.74 points. Monthly rent averages a bargain £497.50 - nearly half of what you'd pay in pricier cities. Even with a lower average income of £2,407.25, the rock-bottom living costs mean your money stretches much further here.

Cheltenham rounds out the top three with 60.96 points, proving you don't need to sacrifice charm for affordability. Despite higher rent at £787.50, the city's strong average income of £3,447.08 and reasonable utility costs of £165.50 keep it firmly in affordable territory.

Kevin Barzegar, property expert at Kaybridge Residentials, commented: "What this data shows is that affordability in the UK is shaped by more than just wages,and it's the delicate balance between what you earn and what everything costs that really matters. You might think bigger cities automatically mean bigger paychecks, but places like London prove that's not always enough when rent and living costs spiral."

"The standout finding for me is how cities like Wolverhampton and Stoke-on-Trent are offering genuine value. These are cheap places to live with proper infrastructure, transport links, and amenities where your money actually works for you. Meanwhile, somewhere like Oxford might have prestige, but when you're spending your hard-earned income just to get by, that prestige comes at a serious cost."

"For anyone looking to move, don't just focus on salary figures. Look at the full picture: housing costs, transport, even your weekly shop. The cities topping our affordability list means they've got the sweet spot of decent incomes without the crippling costs that plague other metro areas. That's where smart property decisions are made."