St Albans has been named the UK city with the highest rents outside of London.

New analysis from property experts Rightmove has found that rents in the city have increased by 33 per cent over the last five years, with the average tenant now forking out £2,307 a month on rent.

Only London has a higher average according to the data, which highlights the soaring cost of living in one of the country's most popular commuter areas.

With leafy surroundings and strong transport links to central London, St Albans has become a popular settling ground for young professionals keen to escape the exorbitant rents the capital has become notorious for.

But with rents having gone up by a third since the pandemic, areas close to London are becoming unaffordable for many young people during a cost of living crisis.

Rightmove's property expert, Tim Bannister said: "The rental divide across Great Britain is clear, with an average difference of just over £1,500 between the most expensive and cheapest cities. 

“Many of these cities have seen rental growth of over 40 per cent over the past five years, meaning it’s likely to be a significant consideration when students are thinking about where to study, and those who have already graduated working out if they can afford to stay in that city and find a job.” 

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The situation isn't much better for those looking to get on the property ladder, with the city's average house price recorded at 17 times the national average - also the highest outside of London.

Oxford, Cambridge, Winchester and Brighton round out the five most expensive cities.

Conversely, Carlisle has the nation's cheapest rents, with an average monthly cost of £791.

It is generally agreed that St Albans faces a housing crisis, with developers, politicians and campaigners continually at odds about how best to fix a shortage of homes in the city.

The district council's long-awaited Local Plan is set to be published this autumn, with sites set to be formally identified for housebuilding.