St Albans is the most expensive city to rent outside London, with tenants paying an average of £2,307 per calendar month, 71% above the UK average, Rightmove data shows.
The Hertfordshire city is in the commuter belt to London, while it features cathedrals and an ancient Roman wall.
Other expensive places to rent are linked to students going to university.
Indeed, coming in second place are Oxford (£2,237) and Cambridge (£2,072).
Rightmove’s property expert, Tim Bannister, said: “The rental divide across Great Britain is clear, with an average difference of just over £1,500 between the most expensive and cheapest cities.
“Many of these cities have seen rental growth of over 40% over the past five years, meaning it’s likely to be a significant consideration when students are thinking about where to study, and those who have already graduated working out if they can afford to stay in that city and find a job.”
The most expensive area contrasts with Carlisle, which has the lowest rental prices in Great Britain, with an average rent of £791 per month, 41% below the national average.
Other cheap cities are Hull (£804) and Sunderland (£807).
The average advertised rent outside London is now a record £1,349. The annual rate of growth now stands at 5%, an easing of the 12% peak recorded in 2022.
