RenterCheck

Renting in Brighton vs Portsmouth

South EastvsSouth East

Side-by-side comparison of rental costs, market conditions, and living expenses to help you decide where to rent.

Rent Comparison by Property Size

Property TypeBrightonPortsmouthDifference
Studio£850/mo£600/mo+£250
1-Bed£1,050/mo£750/mo+£300
2-Bed£1,350/mo£950/mo+£400
3-Bed£1,650/mo£1,200/mo+£450
4-Bed£2,050/mo£1,450/mo+£600

2-Bed Rent Comparison

Brighton£1,350/mo
Portsmouth£950/mo

Market Statistics

MetricBrightonPortsmouth
Average Yield4.5%5.8%
Rent Growth (YoY)5.2%5.1%
Demand LevelVery HighHigh
Average Deposit£1,558£1,096
Council Tax (Band D)£2,083/yr£1,891/yr

Quick Verdict

For Affordability

Portsmouth

£400/mo cheaper for a 2-bed

For Growth Potential

Brighton

5.2% year-on-year growth

For Investment Yield

Portsmouth

5.8% average yield

Monthly Cost of Living (2-Bed)

Brighton

2-Bed Rent£1,350
Council Tax (monthly)£174
Energy (est.)£150
Water (est.)£35
Total Monthly£1,709

Portsmouth

2-Bed Rent£950
Council Tax (monthly)£158
Energy (est.)£150
Water (est.)£35
Total Monthly£1,293

Living in Portsmouth saves you approximately £416/mo on core housing costs.

Transport Links

Brighton

Brighton mainline station with fast services to London (under 1 hour). Extensive bus network along the coast.

Portsmouth

Portsmouth & Southsea and Portsmouth Harbour stations with services to London. Wightlink and Hovertravel to the Isle of Wight.

Popular Neighbourhoods

Brighton

North LaineKemptownHoveHanover

Portsmouth

SouthseaOld PortsmouthFrattonNorth End

Our Verdict

Brighton and Portsmouth offer different rental experiences. Portsmouth is the more affordable option, with 2-bed rents averaging £950/mo compared to £1,350/mo in Brighton, saving renters £400 per month.

Brighton is seeing stronger rent growth at 5.2% year-on-year, which may indicate increasing demand in the area. Portsmouth offers better returns for landlords at 5.8% average yield.

Both cities have significant student populations, which drives demand for house shares and smaller properties. Ultimately, the best choice depends on your work location, budget, and lifestyle priorities.

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Properties in Brighton

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Properties in Portsmouth

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