Moving to Hull, UK: Everything You Need to Know

Introduction

Say “Hull” to the average UK resident and images of traditional Yorkshire city life spring to mind: busy shopping streets, historic buildings, and ready access to a nice cup of tea at every turn.

There’s lots to like: Hull – officially Kingston upon Hull – is a historic maritime city in the East Riding of Yorkshire, sitting on the River Hull at the Humber Estuary.

It’s famous for its rugby and football teams, and has been home to such well-known faces as aviation pioneer Amy Johnson, politician John Prescott, Housemartins singer Paul Heaton, League of Gentlemen actor Reece Shearsmith and Walking Dead star Andrew Lincoln.

The North Sea is roughly 20 miles away, and the city has a population of just over 250,000, making it the largest city in East Yorkshire.

This guide covers the essentials for potential movers looking for a new life in Hull, including cost of living, best areas to live, employment, education, transport, healthcare, lifestyle, safety, amenities, and practical tips for settling in.

If Hull is on your shortlist of places you might like to move to, this guide is for you!

Why Move to Hull?

Hull is one of the most affordable cities to live in the UK, with rents and property prices significantly lower than the national average. This affordability is one of its biggest attractions, especially for those drawn to the city for work.

Hull has a vibrant arts scene and was named UK City of Culture in 2017, a title not lost on local residents who have been keen to continue the city’s status as a place to visit for artistic events of all kinds.

Ongoing urban regeneration projects, including new homes (hundreds of them at the new East Park Urban Village project), commercial spaces, and green areas, are transforming the city and attracting further investment.

Cost of Living in Hull

The average house price in Hull varies, depending on which website you are looking at. Rightmove says it is around £165,000 (July 2025); Zoopla thinks it is slightly less, at around £153,000. Either way, this is much lower than many nearby towns such as Beverley and Hessle.

A 5-bed, detached Victorian home in a nice part of the city could be yours for under £400,000 – a fraction of the cost of a similar property in Oxford or Bath.

Renting is also affordable, with the average monthly rent at £800, and one-bedroom flats typically costing around £450 per month. Hull’s house price-to-earnings ratio is around 4.5, compared to the England average of 8.3. In other words, home ownership is more accessible and affordable than in much of the UK.

Best Areas to Live in Hull

According to the HullMoneyMan website (a mortgage brokerage), the top spots for those interested in living in Hull are Hessle, Willerby and Princes Avenue, which has a “bohemian” atmosphere. Part of an area known as “the Avenues,” it boasts many highly attractive Victorian properties and a bustling café culture.

Victoria Dock offers waterside living close to the city centre with a strong community feel, while Kingswood is popular with families and features modern amenities and good schools.

Beverley, meanwhile, is a historic market town with excellent schools and restaurants. Similarly, Sutton-on-Hull has a traditional village feel with green spaces and a strong community atmosphere. There’s something for everyone.

Employment and Economy

Major employers in Hull include Siemens Gamesa, Reckitt, Smith & Nephew – the famous medical tech company – and the University of Hull.

The city is seeing growth in renewable energy, healthcare, digital technology, and logistics, supported by investment in the Humber Energy Estuary and local business initiatives.

The average salary in Hull is around £31,000, and there is a stable job market, relatively low unemployment rate, and growing opportunities in engineering, healthcare, and education.

Education in Hull

As with most major cities, Hull has a wide range of primary and secondary schools, including some highly rated options in Victoria Dock and Kingswood.

The University of Hull is a respected institution founded in 1927 and has over 16,000 students. It excels in health, energy, and the arts. Hull College and other providers offer vocational courses, apprenticeships, and adult education.

Transportation and Connectivity

Hull could scarcely be any more central to the UK! It is almost equidistant from Land’s End and John O’Groats, and has an extensive bus network and two main rail stations – Hull Paragon Interchange and Cottingham.

There are direct trains to Leeds and York that take around an hour, and to London in under three hours. Humberside Airport is about 40 minutes away from the city centre by car, though it is by no means a large airport and only has a handful of departures a day. Many more flights are available at Leeds Bradford Airport, which is 1.5 hours away. Hull Port offers ferry services to Europe.

Healthcare and Medical Services

Hull Royal Infirmary and Castle Hill Hospital are the main NHS hospitals (the latter being a leading regional centre for oncology and haematology), and they provide comprehensive care to the city’s residents.

If you are relocating to Hull, you’ll find a wide availability of NHS GPs, dentists, and private clinics.

Lifestyle and Recreation

Yorkshire is one of the UK’s most scenic regions. While Hull city itself is a far cry from the sheep and dry stone walls of the Dales, it is nonetheless an attractive city with waterfront charm and several large green spaces, such as East Park, which has a small lake.

Residents also like to picnic in Pearson Park and Humber Bridge Country Park, a large green space to the west of the city. Hull is home to Ferens Art Gallery, Hull Maritime Museum, Hull Truck Theatre, and a lively nightlife scene.

Sports fans in their thousands flock to cheer on Championship team Hull City AFC and local rugby titans Hull FC and Hull KR.

Safety and Community

Hull’s crime rate is comparable to that of other northern UK cities, although slightly higher than the national average, with some areas safer than others. Suburbs like Anlaby and Beverley are known for lower crime rates.

As with most large UK cities, it pays to be on your guard at night in the city centre, where incidents are not uncommon. Check out Reddit and other forum pages for up-to-date insight on high-crime rates that are best avoided.

Local Amenities and Shopping

St Stephen’s and Princes Quay are two of the city’s best-known shopping hubs, and also boast a variety of lesisure facilities such as tampoline parks and cinemas.

Whitefriargate and Newland Avenue, meanwhile, are popular for independent shops, cafés, and boutiques. Trinity Indoor Market is well worth a visit, too, especially if you’re a foodie and fancy a bite from one of the many food stalls.

Tips for Moving to Hull

As well as swotting up on local slang so you know what “mafting” means (look it up!), it makes sense to come up with a long to-do list to cross off as your move approaches.

Or ask AI to do it for you. Just ask ChatGPT, Gemini, or Copilot to create a checklist, with tasks to complete by a specific date.

Your list should include:

• Arrange accommodation
• Register with a GP
• Set up utilities
• Inform the council of your move
• Tell your bank
• Contact local providers for electricity, gas, water, and broadband
• Register for council tax with Hull City Council

Useful resources include the Hull City Council website, local Facebook groups, and the Hull Daily Mail for news and events.

One aspect of moving that is sometimes overlooked is self storage. Hull has several options for those moving to the city who need to store their personal or business goods for a while, and it pays to shop around to get an idea of their prices and the services they offer.

Self storage in Hull is convenient and affordable – but units that match your requirements are someties occupied, so it’s a good idea to start your enquiries well in advance.

Summing Up

Hull is a great city that scores major points when it comes to affordability. While salaries are justy a shade below the national average, property prices are way under – meaning your money goes a long way.

Rugby fans have two teams to choose from, and there’s an interesting mix of culture, shopping and history at every turn. The North York Moors National Park is less than 40 miles away, and the beach at Withernsea is nearer still – barely 20 miles.

If a new life in Hull awaits you, there’s lots to be excited about.

Make your move to Hull with confidence – start exploring the best places to live and what to expect today.