Londoners spend an average of 2.3 days in the office per week according to the Think Tank Centre for Cities. Many employers are allowing more flexibility for their employees, allowing them to work from home.
Whether they’re commuting into the city, or paying for a hot-desking space, the costs associated with the working week can add up. But which cities are the best and cheapest set-up for hybrid workers?
To find out, the team at Savoo looked at which cities across the UK are the best for flexible workings, taking into account factors such as the cost of living, rent, transport, coffee, internet, and hot-desking spaces in each city, to determine the total cost per month of being a hybrid worker.
Hull is the best city in the UK for hybrid workers
Topping the list of the cheapest cities in the UK for hybrid workers is Hull, with workers spending a total of £1,609 per month, on average The northern city has the cheapest cost of living of all cities analysed, at around £758 per month, and also the cheapest average rent prices at £453 for a one-bed apartment in the city centre. A one-way ticket on local public transport averages just £2, and the city is home to the cheapest coffee prices, with an average cup costing £2.51.
With workers in the city tending to spend around £1,791 per month, Shrewsbury has come in second place. The average cost of internet is much cheaper than in Hull, with prices around £27 per month. Hot-desking is around £216 per month, and picking up a coffee in the city is also relatively affordable, at £2.75 per cup.
Huddersfield has come in third place. The total cost of being a hybrid worker is around £1,796 in the city, and it sees the second cheapest cost of living (£911) and rent prices (£467) of all cities analysed.
Top ten locations for hybrid workers in the UK
| Index | City | Cost of Living | Cost of Local Transport | Cost of a Cappuccino | Cost of Internet | Cost to Rent a 1 Bedroom Apartment in the City Centre | Cost of Hot-desking | Total Cost per Month |
| 1 | Hull | £758 | £2.00 | £2.51 | £41 | £453 | £306 | £1,609 |
| 2 | Shrewsbury | £993 | £2.08 | £2.75 | £27 | £500 | £216 | £1,791 |
| 3 | Huddersfield | £911 | £2.30 | £3.18 | £28 | £467 | £328 | £1,796 |
| 4 | Aberdeen | £927 | £3.00 | £2.97 | £26 | £552 | £286 | £1,863 |
| 5 | Sheffield | £1,019 | £2.05 | £3.21 | £28 | £739 | £118 | £1,963 |
| 6 | Glasgow | £1,058 | £2.50 | £2.95 | £30 | £817 | £132 | £2,101 |
| 7 | Nottingham | £1,039 | £2.70 | £3.09 | £31 | £778 | £190 | £2,106 |
| 8 | Liverpool | £1,016 | £2.10 | £2.89 | £31 | £792 | £240 | £2,135 |
| 9 | Leicester | £1,129 | £2.35 | £3.06 | £32 | £792 | £144 | £2,159 |
| 10 | Northampton | £1,081 | £2.90 | £3.20 | £30 | £800 | £189 | £2,172 |
Ed Fleming, Managing Director at Savoo, says, “Whether you’re picking up a nice lunch, or simply tapping your card for the bus or tube, going into the office a few days a week can have a big impact on the purse strings. There are a few simple steps that hybrid workers can take though, to help save themselves a bit of money when they head into the office.
“As tempting as a nice takeaway coffee and a croissant might be in the morning, your daily caffeine fix can make a real dent in your paycheck. Try brewing your own coffee to bring with you, and eat breakfast before work too. Buying lunch everyday can also really add up, so make your own salads or sandwiches at home, or cook a little extra at dinner-time and bring the leftovers into the office the next day.
“Commutes can often be one of the biggest expenses, so try to take advantage of any travel discounts available, or think about carpooling with colleagues. Even better, if you live close to the office, walking or cycling can be a great way to keep costs down, all while keeping you active too.”
You can view the full research from Savoo here: https://www.savoo.co.uk/resources/cheapest-cities-hybrid-working