A new survey suggests that only 36% of tenants who moved house in Manchester last year remained in the city – suggesting rich pickings for investors as a result of growing demand in the suburbs.
The survey, by Compare My Move, suggests Stockport is Manchester’s favourite commuter town, with over 12% of people leaving Manchester choosing to move there.
Just 10 minutes from Manchester city centre by train, Stockport offers an attractive alternative to Manchester, especially for renters. The average rent in Stockport is £1,464 per month, which is £116 cheaper than in Manchester.
For buyers, house prices in Stockport are slightly higher than in Manchester. One reason for this could be the difference in property types. In Manchester, about 28% of homes are flats or apartments, compared to only 15% in Stockport. Areas with more flats tend to have lower average house prices, as flats typically offer less space and fewer bedrooms than houses.
Salford, being Manchester’s closest neighbour is second on the list, falling down from first last year. Although Salford is only a 3-minute train journey from the centre of Manchester, buying a property in Salford would cost you over £40,000 less, and renting is over £100 cheaper a month.
| Rank | Manchester’s Top Commuter Towns | Average Property Price | Average Rent Price (PCM) |
| 1 | Stockport | £302,166 | £1,464 |
| 2 | Salford | £232,241 | £1,478 |
| 3 | Cheadle | £373,010 | £1,417 |
| 4 | Altrincham | £522,568 | £2,569 |
| 5 | Warrington | £287,113 | £942 |
| 6 | Bury | £253,524 | £938 |
| 7 | Sale | £397,777 | £1,345 |
| 8 | Liverpool | £217,768 | £1,073 |
| 9 | Oldham | £208,406 | £893 |
| 10 | Bolton | £228,639 | £988 |
| = | Manchester | £273,789 | £1,580 |
A Compare My Move spokesperson says: “Manchester’s moving trends are signaling a renting crisis, there is a huge demand for privately rented homes, and this is driving up prices on the rental properties that are available
“According to the 2021 housing census, there are 69,403 privately rented properties in Manchester. These homes are shared between the large student population of over 88,000, and the wider community of renters.
“According to Property Investment UK 62% of Manchester’s residents live in privately rented accommodation, the highest proportion in the UK. That’s over 380,000 people. When comparing that to the 2021 housing census, that’s an average of 6 people per property.
“With such a high number of renters alongside the consistent student population, demand for private rentals is extremely strong. This high demand is driving up average rental prices and is likely a key reason why many people are choosing to move to more affordable commuter towns nearby.”
