Tips on Renting a House in Cheetham Hill, Manchester (M8): A Complete Local Guide (2025)

If you’re looking for a well-connected Manchester neighbourhood with strong local amenities and rental prices that are often more affordable than the city centre, Cheetham Hill is a practical choice worth considering. Located just north of central Manchester, Cheetham Hill is known for its busy shopping streets, multicultural community, and quick access to major employment hubs, universities, and transport links.

This guide covers everything you need to know about renting a house in Cheetham Hill, Manchester, including population, average rent, distance to the city centre, safety, student life, transport, letting agents, and local food and nightlife.

1) Where Is Cheetham Hill Located in Manchester?

Cheetham Hill is an inner-city area in North Manchester, close to the city centre and bordering neighbourhoods such as Strangeways, Crumpsall, Salford, and Higher Blackley. It forms part of the wider Cheetham ward within Manchester City Council.
It’s positioned along the key routes Cheetham Hill Road and Bury Old Road, which connect directly toward the centre and further north.
Cheetham Hill is widely considered one of the most central northern neighbourhoods, making it popular with renters who want quick access to town.

2) Population of the Area

Cheetham Hill sits within the Cheetham ward, which had the highest ward population in Manchester at 21,450 (Census 2021), according to Manchester City Council’s Census summary.
This highlights how active and densely populated the area is, with a strong local community and busy daily life.

3) Average Rent in Cheetham Hill Compared to the Rest of Manchester

Rental prices in Manchester vary sharply between central locations and outer neighbourhoods.

Manchester city centre has an average rent of £1,469 per month for a 2-bedroom home (as of early 2025), based on Manchester City Council’s Economy Update.

Cheetham Hill generally offers more affordable options, especially for houses and shared rentals, though prices fluctuate depending on property type and proximity to new-build developments and the city centre.

Many rental listings in and around Cheetham Hill commonly fall within a lower range than the city centre average, although modern apartments close to central Manchester can still be priced competitively.

In simple terms, Cheetham Hill tends to offer better value than central Manchester, particularly if you want more space and are renting a house rather than a city-centre flat.

4) Distance to Manchester City Centre and Key Places

Cheetham Hill’s key advantage is how close it is to central Manchester.

Driving distance from Cheetham Hill to Manchester city centre is around 3 miles (about 4 km), with journey times often around 10–20 minutes depending on traffic.

Many journeys into central areas can be even quicker by public transport, especially at off-peak times.

Important nearby locations include:

Manchester City Centre (shopping, employment, entertainment)

Manchester Victoria Station (rail links across Greater Manchester)

AO Arena (concerts and events)

Salford Quays and MediaCityUK (business and media hub, reachable by public transport)

5) Pros and Cons of Renting in Cheetham Hill
Pros

Close to Manchester city centre with quick commuting options

Strong public transport routes and easy road access

Excellent shopping options, including Cheetham Hill Shopping Centre and independent stores

Diverse community with a wide variety of international food and businesses

Often better value for renting a house compared with more central districts

Cons

Traffic can be heavy on key roads like Cheetham Hill Road and Bury Old Road

Parking can be limited on residential streets

Noise can be higher near main shopping and transport routes

Safety and street conditions vary noticeably depending on the exact location

6) Main Streets in Cheetham Hill (and What They’re Known For)

Cheetham Hill has several major roads and local hubs that define the area:

Cheetham Hill Road

This is the area’s most well-known street, and it acts as the main commercial corridor. It’s busy, full of shops and services, and is a key route into the city centre. It’s also closely linked with the area’s strong retail identity and multicultural community.

Bury Old Road

A major route that connects the area to Crumpsall and further north Manchester. It’s a practical street for renters because of easy access to supermarkets, local shops, and transport links.

Cheetham Hill Shopping Centre Area

A key retail destination in the neighbourhood, the shopping centre has a broad mix of national brands and independent retailers, including many Asian shops and supermarkets, plus cafés and quick food options.

7) How Safe Is Cheetham Hill Compared to the Rest of Manchester?

Cheetham Hill’s safety is best described as mixed, and this is common in highly populated inner-city areas close to the centre.

Some neighbourhood crime comparison sources rank Cheetham Hill and the wider Cheetham area in the mid-range compared to nearby wards, but results vary depending on measurement methods.
The reality is that safety often differs significantly street by street, and renters should evaluate:

property security (locks, alarms, entry systems)

street lighting

local foot traffic

condition of the surrounding area

For peace of mind, it’s always sensible to visit an area at different times of day before committing to a rental.

8) How Student-Friendly Is Cheetham Hill?

Cheetham Hill can be a good option for students, particularly those who prefer:

lower costs than city-centre living

easy commuting access

diverse food and amenities nearby

It’s not as student-dominated as areas like Fallowfield, but it can suit:

postgraduate students

international students

students who want quick access to the city centre without living directly in it

Because it is close to central Manchester, commuting to the University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University is generally manageable using bus connections and tram links.

9) Buses, Trams and Public Transport

Cheetham Hill has strong public transport connections.

Buses

The area has frequent bus services running into:

Manchester city centre

Salford

North Manchester districts
Cheetham Hill Road is a key bus corridor with regular services throughout the day.

Trams (Metrolink)

Cheetham Hill itself does not have a central tram stop within every part of the neighbourhood, but the Queens Road Metrolink tram stop is very close and serves the border area. It is on the Bury Line, in Zone 2, and opened as a public stop in December 2013.
This provides direct tram connectivity into central Manchester and up toward Bury.

Rail Access

Manchester Victoria Station is nearby and offers regional and national rail connections, which is useful for commuters or students travelling beyond Manchester.

10) Well-Known Letting Agents in Cheetham Hill

Cheetham Hill rental properties are handled by a mix of local specialists and wider Manchester agencies. Some names associated with the area include:

Pearson Ferrier (Cheetham Hill branch)

Latchkey and Vault

Grovewell Lettings

It’s also common to find Cheetham Hill rental listings on major UK property portals, which helps renters compare availability and prices quickly.

11) Food and Fun in Cheetham Hill

Cheetham Hill is one of Manchester’s strongest neighbourhoods for diverse, affordable food. The area is particularly known for:

South Asian restaurants and takeaways

Middle Eastern cafés and grills

international bakeries and dessert shops

casual, budget-friendly dining

If you enjoy exploring global cuisines, Cheetham Hill offers plenty of options along Cheetham Hill Road and Bury Old Road.

Beyond food, the retail culture is a major part of local life, especially around the shopping centre and independent stores.

12) Night Out in Cheetham Hill

Cheetham Hill isn’t known as a major clubbing district, but it works well as a base for renters who want:

local cafés and casual evening spots

late-night food options

quick access to central Manchester nightlife

Because it is so close to town, it’s easy to travel into the Northern Quarter, Deansgate, and Printworks for bars, clubs, concerts, and late-night entertainment  and return home without a long journey.

Final Verdict: Is Cheetham Hill a Good Place to Rent a House?

Cheetham Hill is a strong choice for renters who want to be near Manchester city centre while keeping rental costs more manageable than central locations. It’s particularly suitable for:

renters who want fast city-centre access

professionals commuting to central Manchester or Salford

families looking for better value than inner-city premium areas

students who prefer convenience and affordability

anyone who enjoys a multicultural community with excellent local food and shopping