Average rent in Blackburn with Darwen
The average private rent in Blackburn with Darwen was £715 a month in September 2026, +3.8% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £663, 49% below the UK average of £1,287 and 25% below the average for the North West. It is the 6th cheapest of 35 areas in the North West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+4.1%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Blackburn with Darwen
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 | £535 | £21,400 | £16,050 |
| 2 bedrooms | £663 | £26,520 | £19,890 |
The median full-time salary for Blackburn with Darwen residents is £33,076 (2025, £16.57 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 19% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Blackburn with Darwen
How rents in Blackburn with Darwen have changed
Average rent is +50.5% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £715 | £663 |
| 2025 | £688 | £637 |
| 2024 | £629 | £580 |
| 2023 | £567 | £522 |
| 2022 | £541 | £499 |
| 2021 | £518 | £478 |
| 2020 | £501 | £463 |
| 2019 | £491 | £453 |
| 2018 | £490 | £451 |
| 2017 | £482 | £444 |
| 2016 | £475 | £439 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bassetlaw | East Midlands | £508 | £664 | £809 | +3.5% |
| 2 | Stoke-on-Trent | West Midlands | £520 | £665 | £800 | +5.1% |
| 3 | North Lanarkshire | Scotland | £504 | £665 | £863 | -3.5% |
| 4 | Stockton-on-Tees | North East | £537 | £669 | £799 | +3.4% |
| 5 | Rhondda Cynon Taf | Wales | £524 | £669 | £750 | +0.6% |
| 6 | Blackpool | North West | £503 | £656 | £798 | +7.1% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Blackburn with Darwen?
The average private rent in Blackburn with Darwen was £715 a month in September 2026, up 3.8% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £535 and a two-bedroom £663 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Blackburn with Darwen?
To keep a £535 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £21,400 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £16,050. The median full-time salary for residents is £33,076.
Is Blackburn with Darwen expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Blackburn with Darwen costs £663 a month, 49% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 25 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.