Cambridge United's director of football, Mark Bonner, has said that property prices in Cambridge present a genuine obstacle when the club attempts to recruit new players. He made the remark during a fans' forum held ahead of the upcoming season, responding to a supporter's question about whether living costs in the city discourage potential signings.
the cost of property in the city is "an issue" when it comes to attracting players
Cambridge is widely regarded as one of the most expensive places to live outside London, a point that appeared to prompt the fan's question at the forum.
How expensive is housing in Cambridge?
According to a Cambridge City Council housing report, the median price of a home in the city stands at £480,000, having risen 7% over the past year and 12% over the past five years. Separately, analysis from Savills found that median house prices in the city are 13.5 times greater than median annual earnings, underlining the scale of the affordability gap facing anyone considering relocating there, including footballers.
Cambridge City Council itself acknowledged in 2023 that the city's housing market is less affordable than in most comparable cities, reinforcing Bonner's comments about the difficulty of persuading players to move there.
Has cost of living been an issue elsewhere in Cambridge?
The city's high living costs have caused friction beyond football too. In April 2026, more than 500 University of Cambridge staff went on strike demanding a pay supplement to bring their wages in line with Oxford's, arguing that living costs justified the increase, as reported in our earlier coverage of the university strike. The university had offered a 2.5% supplement but no equivalent weighting payment, a dispute that echoes the recruitment pressures Bonner described at the club.
What is Cambridge United's financial position?
The club's own published accounts for 2025 offer the latest publicly available financial context for the U's, according to Cambridge United's 2025 full accounts. The club has also highlighted its broader role in the community, stating that its wider social value exceeds £27 million, according to a club article on its community impact.
What happens next?
Cambridge United begin their League One campaign on Saturday, hosting Wigan at the Cledara Abbey Stadium. Beyond the pitch, the club's next annual accounts are due to be published in due course, which is listed as its next scheduled financial milestone according to a club announcement on annual accounts, and could offer further insight into how living costs are shaping recruitment budgets.
Key Facts
- Mark Bonner, Cambridge United's director of football, said property costs are "an issue" in attracting players.
- Median house price in Cambridge is £480,000, up 7% in the past year and 12% over five years.
- Median house prices in Cambridge are 13.5 times greater than median annual earnings, per Savills.
- Cambridge United open their League One season on Saturday against Wigan at the Cledara Abbey Stadium.
- The club states its community impact carries a social value of more than £27 million.
