20 Ways to Make Extra Money in Leeds
Leeds is an incredible city. It's vibrant, full of opportunity, and packed with students, professionals, and families all looking to make the most of city life.
But let’s be real: the cost of living here isn’t cheap. According to Numbeo, rent for a one-bedroom flat in Leeds city centre is around £900 per month, and with food, transport, and nights out factored in, it’s easy to see why so many people are turning to side hustles.
The good news? Leeds is one of the best cities in the UK for making extra money. Whether you’re a student trying to cover rent, a professional looking for a little extra, or just someone who wants to monetise a hobby, there are plenty of ways to boost your income in Leeds.
Here’s a list of 20 brilliant ways to make extra money in Leeds, why they work so well here, and how much you could earn.
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1. Rent Out Your Parking Space 🚗 (£50-£150/month)
Parking in Leeds is expensive and hard to find, especially near the train station, university, and Elland Road on match days. If you have a driveway or a private parking spot, you can rent it out using JustPark or YourParkingSpace.
Depending on your location, you can charge £5-£15 per day, making it a solid passive income stream.
2. Freelance Your Skills Online 💻 (£10-£50/hour)
Leeds has tons of small businesses that need help with writing, social media, design, and website development. Sites like Fiverr, Upwork, and PeoplePerHour let you offer your skills to businesses worldwide.
Beginners can start at £10-£20 per hour, while experienced freelancers can charge £30-£50+ per hour.
3. Food Delivery (Uber Eats, Deliveroo) 🚴♂️ (£8-£15/hour)
With Leeds’ huge student population and busy nightlife, food delivery services are always in demand. Whether you ride a bike, scooter, or car, you can work flexible hours delivering food around the city.
Drivers can earn £8-£15 per hour, with surge pricing during peak times like weekends and evenings.
4. Sell Handmade Items at Kirkgate Market or Etsy 🎨 (£100-£1,000/month)
Leeds has a strong indie business scene, making it a great place to sell handmade jewellery, candles, art, or personalised gifts.
You can set up a stall at Kirkgate Market or Leeds Indie Market or sell online through Etsy. Some sellers make £100 a month as a hobby, while serious businesses can earn £1,000+ per month.
5. Rent Out a Spare Room 🏠 (£500-£800/month)
With over 60,000 students in Leeds, renting out a spare room is one of the easiest ways to earn extra cash.
If you have space, list your room on SpareRoom or Airbnb and charge £400-£700 per month for long-term tenants.
If you go the Airbnb route, you can charge £50+ per night, making £800+ per month if fully booked.
6. Dog Walking & Pet Sitting 🐶 (£10-£50 per job)
Leeds is one of the greenest cities in the UK, meaning lots of dog owners need help with walking and pet care.
Apps like Rover and Tailster make it easy to find clients in areas like Roundhay, Chapel Allerton, and Headingley. Walkers can earn £10-£20 per hour, while overnight pet sitting can bring in £30-£50 per night.
7. Student Tasker on Paperound 🎓 (£10-£15/hour)
If you're a student at Leeds Uni, Leeds Beckett, or Trinity, Paperound connects you with businesses needing help with admin, research, or design work.
This is perfect for flexible part-time work, and you can earn £10-£15 per hour. Plus, it’s great for building your CV while making money.
8. Sell Vintage Clothes at Leeds Corn Exchange 🛍️ (£200-£1,000/month)
Leeds is known for its love of thrift shopping, making it a perfect place to flip second-hand clothes.
You can sell on Instagram, Depop, or in vintage markets at the Corn Exchange. Depending on stock and demand, resellers can make £200 to £1,000+ per month.
9. Film Extra for TV & Movies 🎬 (£80-£200 per day)
Leeds has a growing film and TV industry, with Channel 4, ITV, and BBC productions happening regularly.
Sign up with Uni-versal Extras or The Casting Collective to be a TV or film extra. Extras earn £80-£200 per day, and sometimes get free food!
10. Social Media Manager 📱 (£15-£40/hour)
Local Leeds businesses need help managing Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok accounts. If you're social media-savvy, you can offer content creation and strategy services.
Beginners can charge £15-£20 per hour, while experienced freelancers earn £30-£40 per hour.
11. Personal Shopping & Wardrobe Decluttering 👗 (£20-£50 per session)
With Leeds’ strong fashion scene, people often look for personal stylists or help decluttering their wardrobes. If you have a good eye for style, you can charge £20-£50 per session.
12. Airbnb Experiences Guide 🚶 (£20-£100 per tour)
Run local tours based on Leeds history, street art, or pub crawls and charge £20-£100 per session. Leeds has loads of tourists and newcomers looking for unique local experiences.
13. Personal Trainer 🏋️ (£20-£50/hour)
With popular gyms like The Edge, Primal, and JD Gyms, there’s always demand for personal trainers. Certifications help, but even experienced gym-goers can coach beginners.
Expect to earn £20-£50 per session.
14. Beauty Services (Nails, Lashes, Hair) 💅 (£20-£100 per session)
Offering home-based beauty treatments like nails, lashes, or hair styling is a lucrative side gig. If you build up regular clients, you can make £500-£2,000 per month.
15. Rent Out Storage Space 📦 (£25-£200/month)
If you have a garage, attic, or spare room, rent it out as storage space on Storemates or Stashbee. Rates range from £25 to £200 per month, depending on location and size.
16. Copywriting & Editing ✍️ (£10-£50/hour)
Leeds businesses always need help with website content, blogs, and proofreading.
Charge £10-£30 per hour as a beginner, or £50+ per hour if you're experienced.
17. Sell Baked Goods 🍰 (£50-£500/month)
Leeds loves independent food businesses. Sell homemade cakes, brownies, or cookies online or at local markets like Leeds Indie Food Festival.
Profits can range from £50 to £500 per month.
18. Gardening & Lawn Care 🌱 (£20-£100 per job)
People in Leeds love their gardens but don’t always have time to maintain them.
Offer mowing, weeding, and planting services and charge £20-£100 per job.
19. Yoga or Fitness Classes 🧘 (£15-£40 per class)
With interest in wellness growing, teaching yoga or fitness classes at home or outdoors (e.g., in Roundhay Park) can earn you £15-£40 per class.
20. Ironing & Laundry Service 👕 (£10-£50 per job)
Many busy professionals and students hate ironing.
Offer an ironing service and charge £10-£50 per basket.
Final Thoughts 💰
Leeds is one of the best cities in the UK to start a side hustle. Whether it’s freelancing, selling, or offering a service, there’s money to be made. Which one will you try first?
