Average rent in Cornwall
The average private rent in Cornwall was £995 a month in September 2026, +0.9% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £877, 32% below the UK average of £1,287 and 18% below the average for the South West. It is the 8th cheapest of 26 areas in the South West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+1.2%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Cornwall
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 | £685 | £27,400 | £20,550 |
| 2 bedrooms | £877 | £35,080 | £26,310 |
The median full-time salary for Cornwall residents is £35,002 (2025, £17.06 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 23% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Cornwall
How rents in Cornwall have changed
Average rent is +44.8% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £995 | £877 |
| 2025 | £987 | £867 |
| 2024 | £922 | £807 |
| 2023 | £871 | £761 |
| 2022 | £817 | £716 |
| 2021 | £785 | £689 |
| 2020 | £757 | £666 |
| 2019 | £742 | £653 |
| 2018 | £725 | £639 |
| 2017 | £703 | £621 |
| 2016 | £687 | £608 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wychavon | West Midlands | £676 | £879 | £1,083 | +4.9% |
| 2 | Isle of Wight | South East | £664 | £874 | £1,092 | +6.8% |
| 3 | Teignbridge | South West | £657 | £873 | £1,091 | +3.6% |
| 4 | Vale of Glamorgan | Wales | £723 | £884 | £991 | +1.7% |
| 5 | North Northamptonshire | East Midlands | £686 | £885 | £1,072 | +4.7% |
| 6 | Oldham | North West | £708 | £888 | £1,078 | +13.3% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cornwall?
The average private rent in Cornwall was £995 a month in September 2026, up 0.9% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £685 and a two-bedroom £877 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Cornwall?
To keep a £685 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £27,400 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £20,550. The median full-time salary for residents is £35,002.
Is Cornwall expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Cornwall costs £877 a month, 32% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 117 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.