The UK's top cities for young adults

Deciding where you want to live can be a tough choice at any life stage, but it can be especially difficult for young adults. With so many factors to consider, such as job prospects, nightlife, and affordable rent, figuring out which city is right for you can become quite overwhelming.

To provide some guidance, we’ve ranked the UK’s 40 most populated cities to reveal the top locations for young adults. Our ranking considers essential aspects such as how much of the population is aged 18-30, cost of living, job opportunities, the number of pubs and bars hosting events, and the overall happiness of each city's inhabitants.

Nottingham ranks as the UK’s top city for young adults. With affordable public transport (£60 for a monthly public transport pass), and relatively inexpensive rent (£765 per month on average for a one bed apartment in the city centre), it’s not much of a surprise that Nottingham appeals to so many young people. In fact, more than a quarter (28%) of Nottingham’s population are aged between 18 and 30, meaning this city has the highest demographic in this age range out of all the cities analysed in our study.

Southampton comes in second place, with 24% of its population aged 18-30 and affordable costs, the city has many opportunities available to young people. This coastal city currently has 1,038 job listings on offer, making it a great place to explore career options. There are also 95 pubs and bars hosting events in Southampton, so there’s plenty of opportunity to relax and unwind at the weekend, too. 

Coming in third place is Coventry, scoring particularly well for its low transport costs. A monthly public transport pass costs just £50 on average here, which is cheaper than what’s on offer in any other UK city. Coventry is also home to inexpensive dining options, with a restaurant meal costing just £10 a head on average. 

Newcastle-upon-Tyne ranks fourth, and is a particularly attractive option for young people looking to let loose with 120 bars and pubs to enjoy in the city. It also has a happiness score of 7.49, which is on the higher side. Bradford rounds out the top five, with a month’s rent in the city centre costing just £537.50 – making it by far the best of the bunch for anyone seeking cheap accommodation.

Plymouth and Luton tie for sixth place, followed by Kingston-upon-Hull, Birmingham, Sheffield and Middlesborough. Birmingham in particular stands out for both its job opportunities and nightlife, offering 3,205 job listings and 200 pubs and bars to explore.

Which is the most affordable city for dining out the UK?

It’s no secret that young adults love to dine out. In fact, research has shown that young people are more likely to dine out than older people, with couples and under 35 eating out as often as once per week.

Our research points to Peterborough for the most inexpensive restaurants to dine out, with a meal at a restaurant here costing just £9 per person on average. Meanwhile, Coventry, Bradford, Middlesbrough, Plymouth, and Bolton all take joint second place, with affordable meals in each of these cities costing £10 on average.

Young people who relocate to new cities will also be keen to see the sights, explore new areas, and find hidden gems – so getting around the city at an affordable price is key.

Choosing where to live as a young adult can be an important decision - and there are a lot of different aspects to consider. Being happy with your living situation, as well as being able to form strong friendships and social ties, and maintain a healthful diet is key to establishing a good overall level of personal well-being.

It's great to see there are many cities in the UK that offer good living options for young adults, from affordable public transport, to plentiful job opportunities.