RenterCheck

Renting in Brighton vs Southampton

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 TypeBrightonSouthamptonDifference
Studio£850/mo£650/mo+£200
1-Bed£1,050/mo£800/mo+£250
2-Bed£1,350/mo£1,025/mo+£325
3-Bed£1,650/mo£1,275/mo+£375
4-Bed£2,050/mo£1,550/mo+£500

2-Bed Rent Comparison

Brighton£1,350/mo
Southampton£1,025/mo

Market Statistics

MetricBrightonSouthampton
Average Yield4.5%5.5%
Rent Growth (YoY)5.2%5.3%
Demand LevelVery HighHigh
Average Deposit£1,558£1,183
Council Tax (Band D)£2,083/yr£1,849/yr

Quick Verdict

For Affordability

Southampton

£325/mo cheaper for a 2-bed

For Growth Potential

Southampton

5.3% year-on-year growth

For Investment Yield

Southampton

5.5% 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

Southampton

2-Bed Rent£1,025
Council Tax (monthly)£154
Energy (est.)£150
Water (est.)£35
Total Monthly£1,364

Living in Southampton saves you approximately £345/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.

Southampton

Southampton Central mainline station, good motorway access via M27/M3, bus network, and Southampton Airport.

Popular Neighbourhoods

Brighton

North LaineKemptownHoveHanover

Southampton

PortswoodOcean VillageShirleyBitterne

Our Verdict

Brighton and Southampton offer different rental experiences. Southampton is the more affordable option, with 2-bed rents averaging £1,025/mo compared to £1,350/mo in Brighton, saving renters £325 per month.

Southampton is seeing stronger rent growth at 5.3% year-on-year, which may indicate increasing demand in the area. Southampton offers better returns for landlords at 5.5% 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 Southampton

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