Average rent in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
The average private rent in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was £1,400 a month in September 2026, +2.3% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,170, 9% below the UK average of £1,287 and 9% above the average for the South West. It is the 4th most expensive of 26 areas in the South West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+2.5%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
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 | £918 | £36,720 | £27,540 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,170 | £46,800 | £35,100 |
The median full-time salary for Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents is £37,493 (2025, £19.02 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 29% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole
How rents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have changed
Average rent is +54.2% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,400 | £1,170 |
| 2025 | £1,369 | £1,144 |
| 2024 | £1,293 | £1,075 |
| 2023 | £1,183 | £982 |
| 2022 | £1,104 | £919 |
| 2021 | £1,069 | £893 |
| 2020 | £996 | £835 |
| 2019 | £993 | £832 |
| 2018 | £965 | £812 |
| 2017 | £942 | £794 |
| 2016 | £908 | £767 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Hampshire | South East | £903 | £1,182 | £1,488 | +2.0% |
| 2 | Worthing | South East | £891 | £1,184 | £1,432 | -0.6% |
| 3 | Arun | South East | £855 | £1,149 | £1,407 | +3.7% |
| 4 | Ashford | South East | £898 | £1,148 | £1,414 | +3.2% |
| 5 | Wealden | South East | £898 | £1,147 | £1,433 | +1.8% |
| 6 | Test Valley | South East | £888 | £1,144 | £1,409 | +4.6% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
The average private rent in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole was £1,400 a month in September 2026, up 2.3% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £918 and a two-bedroom £1,170 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole?
To keep a £918 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £36,720 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £27,540. The median full-time salary for residents is £37,493.
Is Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole costs £1,170 a month, 9% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 193 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.