Average rent in Cheltenham
The average private rent in Cheltenham was £1,269 a month in September 2026, +6.1% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,103, 14% below the UK average of £1,287 and 3% above the average for the South West. It is the 7th most expensive of 26 areas in the South West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+6.4%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Cheltenham
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 | £875 | £35,000 | £26,250 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,103 | £44,120 | £33,090 |
The median full-time salary for Cheltenham residents is £41,399 (2025, £21.79 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 25% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Cheltenham
How rents in Cheltenham have changed
Average rent is +47.0% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,269 | £1,103 |
| 2025 | £1,196 | £1,040 |
| 2024 | £1,160 | £1,004 |
| 2023 | £1,073 | £928 |
| 2022 | £981 | £849 |
| 2021 | £941 | £817 |
| 2020 | £911 | £794 |
| 2019 | £894 | £780 |
| 2018 | £890 | £779 |
| 2017 | £871 | £762 |
| 2016 | £863 | £756 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Central Bedfordshire | East of England | £870 | £1,105 | £1,386 | +4.4% |
| 2 | Braintree | East of England | £857 | £1,108 | £1,366 | +2.5% |
| 3 | Warwick | West Midlands | £885 | £1,108 | £1,334 | +2.0% |
| 4 | Havant | South East | £857 | £1,092 | £1,364 | +4.1% |
| 5 | Eastleigh | South East | £864 | £1,115 | £1,368 | +3.7% |
| 6 | Greater Glasgow | Scotland | £845 | £1,091 | £1,340 | +1.1% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cheltenham?
The average private rent in Cheltenham was £1,269 a month in September 2026, up 6.1% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £875 and a two-bedroom £1,103 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Cheltenham?
To keep a £875 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £35,000 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £26,250. The median full-time salary for residents is £41,399.
Is Cheltenham expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Cheltenham costs £1,103 a month, 14% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 176 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.