Average rent in Aberdeen and Shire
The average private rent in Aberdeen and Shire was £844 a month in September 2026, -1.2% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £777, 40% below the UK average of £1,287 and 15% below the average for Scotland. It is the 6th most expensive of 18 areas in Scotland. Over the past year, 1 bed homes rose fastest (+0.8%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Aberdeen and Shire
Two common tests: rent at no more than 30% of gross income, and the letting-agent referencing check of an annual income at least 30× the monthly rent.
| Home | Rent (pcm) | Salary for 30% rule | Agent check (30× rent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £602 | £24,080 | £18,060 |
| 2 bedrooms | £777 | £31,080 | £23,310 |
How rents in Aberdeen and Shire have changed
Average rent is +1.7% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £844 | £777 |
| 2025 | £854 | £776 |
| 2024 | £825 | £752 |
| 2023 | £769 | £699 |
| 2022 | £713 | £640 |
| 2021 | £697 | £624 |
| 2020 | £689 | £625 |
| 2019 | £697 | £631 |
| 2018 | £708 | £643 |
| 2017 | £738 | £673 |
| 2016 | £830 | £756 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westmorland and Furness | North West | £606 | £776 | £946 | +6.2% |
| 2 | East Staffordshire | West Midlands | £616 | £779 | £948 | +7.0% |
| 3 | North Devon | South West | £590 | £780 | £967 | -0.3% |
| 4 | Dudley | West Midlands | £609 | £780 | £940 | +3.1% |
| 5 | Shropshire | West Midlands | £611 | £773 | £959 | +4.8% |
| 6 | Herefordshire | West Midlands | £603 | £782 | £967 | +2.9% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Aberdeen and Shire?
The average private rent in Aberdeen and Shire was £844 a month in September 2026, down 1.2% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £602 and a two-bedroom £777 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Aberdeen and Shire?
To keep a £602 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £24,080 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £18,060.
Is Aberdeen and Shire expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Aberdeen and Shire costs £777 a month, 40% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 79 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
Rents: ONS Price Index of Private Rents (September 2026), average of new and existing private tenancies — official statistics in development. House prices: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index. Pay: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, median gross pay of full-time employees by place of residence. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. See our methodology.