It is becoming increasingly popular with commuters to Bristol
Friars Walk, Newport
A city half an hour’s drive from Bristol has seen its rent prices increase by nearly a quarter in the space of a year.
Figures from the Land Registry show that Newport in South Wales has seen the largest relative increase in private rents in the UK.
The typical cost to rent a home in the town is now 20 per cent higher than it was a year ago.
The average rent stands at £918 a month, which is £155 more than in April 2024.
At the same time, the average private monthly rent in Bristol now stands at £1,761.
Estate agent Hathways said that Newport is popular among people seeking for a cheaper option than Bristol, together with the nearby town of Cwmbran.
It says on its website: “Newport and Cwmbran have recently emerged as commuter hotspots for those working in Bristol, thanks to the attractive house prices and lower costs of living and travel.
“Families and young professionals are flocking to both Newport and Cwmbran, according to research by property portal Zoopla.
“Cwmbran came in first place with modest combined mortgage costs and annual rail season ticket prices of £7,535 and a commute time of 58 minutes. Newport was a close second with a combined cost of £8,393, however the commute is significantly less at just 35 minutes.”
The new figures show rent prices have increased by hundreds of pounds a month on average in some parts of the country.
It cost an average of £1,335 a month to rent a home privately in the UK in the year to April 2025.
That’s up by £92 compared to a year earlier, an increase of 7.4%, according to the latest figures from the Land Registry – that’s more than twice the current rate of inflation (3.5%). It does mean, however, that rents are growing more slowly than in recent years.
Rent prices are increasing far faster in some parts of the country than in others.
The London borough of Camden has seen the largest monetary increase in the cost of renting privately.
The average rent in the area is now £2,836 a month. That’s £333 more than it was a year ago.
Largest percentage increases
Newport: 20.4%
Broxbourne: 17.9%
Melton: 15.2%
Slough: 14.8%
Trafford: 14.1%
Largest monthly increases
Camden: £333
Kensington and Chelsea: £312
Westminster: £304
Hammersmith and Fulham: £279
Broxbourne: £248
Hackney: £248
Islington: £232
Richmond upon Thames: £232
Ealing: £224
Haringey: £223
Lambeth: £213