What a room costs
Run your own salary through the affordability calculator — it is preloaded with London figures and shows what is left after bills and travel.
These are ranges to plan around, not quotes. Rents move, and they move fastest in September. Check live listings before committing to a budget.
Where apprentices live
Most apprentices end up in zones 3–4 — Walthamstow, Leyton, Wood Green, Peckham, Lewisham — rather than anywhere central. Zone 2 rooms exist at the top of that range but rarely leave much over.
Getting to work
Travel is the hidden cost. A zone 1–3 travelcard runs to well over £150 a month, so factor it in before comparing a cheaper room further out.
Worth knowing
London salaries for degree apprenticeships are usually a few thousand higher than the same role elsewhere, but not enough to close the rent gap. Run the numbers before assuming a London role pays better in practice.
Finding a room
Before you commit
- Confirm which site you will actually be based at. Large employers often have several in one city, and choosing an area next to the wrong one is hard to undo.
- Check the council tax band for the specific address. Bills vary a lot between neighbouring councils. See the council tax guide.
- Line up a guarantor before you view. Rooms go in days and referencing is what slows people down.
- Do the commute at the real time of day before signing anything.