RURAL communities are more impacted by the cost of living crisis than urban communities, a new report has found.

Rural Cost of Living by Kovia Consulting for the Rural Services Network, which represents rural councils and other rural service providers, examines the key differences in the cost of living in rural and urban locations.

The research shows that rural areas face 'dual energy vulnerability' of higher household and transport energy poverty and lower wages.

Among the findings were that homes in rural areas tend to be less energy efficient, with 60 per cent having an EPC of D or below. Rural households were also found to face a greater fuel poverty gap.

It was found that rural households also spend, on average, 50 per cent more per week than urban areas on transport due to inadequate infrastructure.

Soaring housing and rental costs, combined with a 224 percent increase in demand for each available property since pre-pandemic levels, has also sparked a 115 percent increase in rural homelessness between 2017-2020 - almost double the national increase.

Council tax and a weekly food shop was also found to be more expensive in rural areas.

Graham Biggs, chief executive of the Rural Services Network, said: “The cost of living is a significant issue for all people and businesses across England, but rural areas have systematically faced higher costs and disadvantages compared to urban counterparts, which is leaving communities more vulnerable.

"The Government must overcome policy silos and develop an integrated approach that recognises the multiple forms of disadvantage rural areas face. This should include levelling up the rural economy to ensure that low wage levels can be improved, as well as supporting rural houses to become more energy efficient to help get families out of fuel poverty. Many rural homes which are off the gas network are more difficult and costly to heat and insulate. 

“Outdated infrastructure and a legacy of other factors, such as poor transport and broadband connectivity, employment opportunities and housing demand, means that many rural areas are more isolated than maps suggest and are all contributing to a higher overall cost of living.

"Without taking these measures into account, rural areas are at greater risk of being left yet further behind in the cost-of-living crisis.”

Research was conducted before inflation increased.

Further, separate data on levelling up shows that in 2019, it took 18.2 minutes to the nearest employment centre with 500 to 4,999 jobs by public transport or on foot, against 11.4 in England, while in the same year, the Gross Value Added (GVA) per hour worked was £27.10 compared to £36.30.