A Landlord Resource analysis, using Zoopla data up to September 2025, indicates that Cambridge had an average gross rental yield of 4.7%. This figure places it among the lowest in Britain for buy-to-let investors, alongside Oxford at 5% and London at 5.1%.
In contrast, Sunderland recorded an average gross yield of 9.3% over the same period. This difference means that an average property in Cambridge, costing £408,709, rents for £1,600 a month, while an average Sunderland property, priced at £84,924, rents for £659 a month.
The analysis highlights that a landlord could potentially exchange one Cambridge property for four in Sunderland, increasing gross rent by £12,432 annually and retaining £69,013. However, this would also involve managing four properties and tenancies, along with associated risks and transaction costs.
While low yields in high-value areas like Cambridge may not indicate a poor historic investment, they can reflect substantial capital growth over time. Official UK House Price Index data shows Cambridge property values rose by approximately 85.8% between May 2006 and May 2026, compared to Sunderland's 33.5% increase.