RenterCheck

Renting in Bristol vs Southampton

South WestvsSouth 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 TypeBristolSouthamptonDifference
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£2,000/mo£1,550/mo+£450

2-Bed Rent Comparison

Bristol£1,350/mo
Southampton£1,025/mo

Market Statistics

MetricBristolSouthampton
Average Yield5.1%5.5%
Rent Growth (YoY)6%5.3%
Demand LevelVery HighHigh
Average Deposit£1,558£1,183
Council Tax (Band D)£2,196/yr£1,849/yr

Quick Verdict

For Affordability

Southampton

£325/mo cheaper for a 2-bed

For Growth Potential

Bristol

6% year-on-year growth

For Investment Yield

Southampton

5.5% average yield

Monthly Cost of Living (2-Bed)

Bristol

2-Bed Rent£1,350
Council Tax (monthly)£183
Energy (est.)£150
Water (est.)£35
Total Monthly£1,718

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 £354/mo on core housing costs.

Transport Links

Bristol

Bristol Temple Meads mainline station with services to London and the South West. Bus network, harbour ferry, and Bristol Airport.

Southampton

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

Popular Neighbourhoods

Bristol

CliftonStokes CroftRedlandSouthville

Southampton

PortswoodOcean VillageShirleyBitterne

Our Verdict

Bristol 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 Bristol, saving renters £325 per month.

Bristol is seeing stronger rent growth at 6% 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 Bristol

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Properties in Southampton

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