Rent vs holiday: The top destinations where it’s cheaper for Brits to holiday than to rent
We’re all feeling the effects of the cost-of-living crisis right now. With rent going up, food costing more, and energy spending rising steadily, many Brits are looking for ways they can save money without giving up the things they love. While plenty of us dream about living abroad, it can seem like it’ll never happen with prices being what they are nowadays, but what if a month in a different country could actually be much cheaper than renting in the UK?
We studied the average price of rent in 50 of the UK’s most populated cities for a month, then compared them to the cost of over 31,000 holiday packages around the world to see whether a month abroad could cost less than one at home. Our research shows 10 holiday destinations where a 28-night stay could cost less than monthly rental costs, along with the UK cities where residents paying the most rent could be getting more bang for their buck.
Looking for a cheap holiday that won’t leave your bank account reeling? Keep reading for our findings on where holidays could save you cash!
The top 5 destinations cheaper than the average UK rental cost
We analysed data from 50 cities around the UK, and found that, on average, rental costs come to roughly £1,058.60pcm. Suddenly, package holidays sound a lot less expensive!
We found 1,145 destinations where a month-long package holiday was cheaper than this figure, with the average cost coming to £835.35. This means that you could be saving 21% on your expenses for the month by spending it abroad. Here are 5 destinations that could cost you less than a month of rent in the UK:
1. Turkey
The #1 holiday destination for saving a month’s worth of money proved to be Turkey, where our stats show that a 28-night stay is 15% cheaper on accommodation expenses for a month. With 460 holiday packages on offer for less than 28 days rent, the average couple can stay in Turkey for £892.16 per month - which is £166.44 cheaper than the average UK rent.
Furthermore, Antalya, Turkey, offers the very-best value package for Brits, with a four-week holiday for two people costing as little as £543.09 with a B&B board at the Kleopatra Bebek Hotel. This is a whopping 48% cheaper when compared to the average UK rental cost, making it an incredibly affordable destination for those looking to stretch their budget without sacrificing quality. Antalya is also home to the cheapest all-inclusive stay, adding up to £948 for two people at the Cleopatra Golden Beach Hotel, giving people more bang for their buck.
2. Malta
Malta was the runner-up on our list, with month-long packages found to be roughly 14% cheaper – that’s about £152 cheaper than UK rent! With 111 holidays for less than a months’ rent, there are plenty of options for destinations on the islands.
With On The Beach, you can relax by the pool of the gorgeous Qawra Point Holiday Complex for as little as £678pp. With its beautiful seas, unique culture, and warm beaches, who wouldn’t want to ditch the British weather for a month of Maltese sunshine?
3. Portugal
Known for its rich culture, stunning architecture, and delicious food, Portugal has been one of Brits’ favourite holiday destinations for decades – but did you know a trip to the coast could be so cheap?
The average 2-person package holiday to Portugal costs just £911, which is 13.92% cheaper than the average rent costs. That’s a value per person of £455, with even better value options saving you more. Our cheapest option – a 28-day stay at Tarik by Atlantic Hotels in the town of Portimão – costs just £274pp. If you’re travelling as a couple, that’s almost half the average month’s rent!
4. Greece
With more than 200 inhabited islands, Greece is one of the most varied tourist destinations in Europe. Whether you’re taking in the historical landmarks on the mainland, enjoying fine dining in Kefalonia, soaking up the sun on Crete’s beaches, or enjoying the nightlife of Santorini, there’s something for everyone.
It’s a great spot for super savers too, as our data shows you could be saving 11% of your rent expenses with a month’s getaway to Greece. We found 185 package holidays in our database that are cheaper than UK rent costs, with an average value per person of £468.22 – that means couples could save £122 on rent with a Greek package holiday!
5. Spain
Spain is the #1 tourist destination for British people every year, and it’s no surprise with how affordable package holidays are! While many of us love to visit the Balearics, like Mallorca and Ibiza, it’s the mainland that lands on our top 5 for its fantastic saving potential.
We found over 100 package holidays to mainland Spain that are 10% cheaper than UK rent, such as a break at Mediterraneo Apartments in Costa del Sol for a total of £860 - costing £200 less compared to an average month’s rent payments.
So why not swap British boredom for beautiful beaches? The average person pays just £480 for a cheap stay in Spain, making it one of our prime spots for holiday savings.
The top UK cities where a 28-night holiday costs less than rent
Now that we know it’s possible for a package holiday to be much cheaper than UK rental costs, where in the UK could benefit the most? After all, not every city has the same average rent costs, and some might reap more benefits of a bargain getaway.
1. London
Unsurprisingly, London tops our list as the prime area for Brits spending the most on their rent. With a mean rental cost of £2,767, the average Londoner could retain £862 with the right package holiday deal, making the average holiday 31% cheaper than rent costs. Londoners who are looking to really keep to a budget, however, can find holiday deals worth up to 80% cheaper– with holiday options coming in a staggering £2,224 cheaper than their monthly rent.
2. Bristol
Bristol comes in a close second, with rent costs averaging £1,753. However, residents could find their accommodation cheaper with a holiday package in Europe, costing around 19% less – that’s roughly £333 less than renting. With its harbour, bridges, and rich maritime history, Bristol already has plenty of connections to the sea, so why not leave the cold Bristol channel behind for somewhere warmer?
3. Brighton
Slipping just behind Bristol is Brighton, one of the southernmost cities in the UK. While it’s known for its iconic Palace Pier and a thriving arts scene, it’s one of England’s most expensive cities to rent in with average costs of £1,749. If you want to swap stony beaches for sandy ones, it’s the perfect candidate for a saver summer getaway where a month abroad could cost an average of £332 less than rent.
4. Oxford
Famous for its university, Oxford has had a reputation as an expensive city for years. It lands at #4 on our list, with average rent costs of roughly £ 1725 – almost double what our average 28-day package holiday costs! While a month away from the city might be harder for students to manage, other Oxford residents can enjoy a cheap getaway with a package holiday to suit their budget.
5. Cambridge and Watford
Cambridge and Watford finish neck-and-neck on our rankings of UK cities’ rent. With average prices of £1702, they just about fit into the top 5 to round out our list. With Cambridge’s prestigious university, and Watford’s proximity to London, it’s hardly a surprise that both cost so much.
Top tips for finding the best value package holidays
Anyone can save on a top-notch package holiday with the right know-how, so it always helps to have a few hacks for finding cheap travel. Here are some of our recommendations for travelling without breaking the bank:
1. Think about peak times
Holiday costs can vary depending on the demand for a trip away, which means the time of year you book your holiday affects your spending. If you’re able to, aim to avoid common times for cross-country travel such as school holidays and summer months. While you might not enjoy the ideal weather, you’ll be avoiding the massive crowds and spending more sensibly!
2. Book from alternative airports
Some airports offer cheaper travel to certain destinations than others, and that applies to ones in other countries too. Research which options offer better rates but be careful to consider that travelling to the airport could cost more than the money you save. If it’s easy for you to reach a cheaper town for your flights, then it’s a no-brainer.
3. Cut down on value-added extras
Some packages will inflate their prices with extra features which could benefit some holidaymakers, but that aren’t necessary for others. This could include a hire car that can be replaced by public transport, seat reservations on a plane, extra trips included in your package, etc. If you’re aiming to keep costs low, you can look into what’s included in your package and cut out the parts that won’t be essential to your trip. You might lose out on convenience, but you’ll save big on money!
Feeling inspired to jet off and get some sun? On The Beach has you covered for holidays to all the best seaside destinations across the continent. Browse our collection of brilliant package holidays to suit any budget, including options for couples, families, or all-inclusive breaks to hundreds of destinations. So, what are you waiting for? Beat the winter blues and book now!
Methodology
Data on rental costs for UK cities was primarily sourced from the ONS October Rent Report. However, for London, Edinburgh, and Belfast - where data was unavailable - rental costs were obtained from Numbeo. Monthly rental costs were calculated as an average per city. Holiday costs were sourced from On the Beach, based on an analysis of over 31,000 UK holidays. For each city, holidays costing less than the average monthly rent were identified. From this, an average cost for a 28-night stay for two people was calculated, along with the average cost per person. To determine how much cheaper it is to go on holiday compared to renting, both a percentage difference and monetary difference were calculated between the average monthly rental cost and the average holiday cost. This comparison was performed for each city individually, as well as for the overall average UK rental cost. The results were then ranked into two tables: The first table ranked the best holiday destinations for 28-night stays that cost less than renting in the UK, based on the overall savings. The second table ranked UK cities, prioritizing those with the highest rents and the cheapest potential holiday options.
*all prices and deals correct at time of publishing 12:37 on 06/12/24