Average rent in Cotswold
The average private rent in Cotswold was £1,263 a month in September 2026, +6.3% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,115, 13% below the UK average of £1,287 and 4% above the average for the South West. It is the 6th most expensive of 26 areas in the South West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+6.5%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Cotswold
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 | £877 | £35,080 | £26,310 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,115 | £44,600 | £33,450 |
The median full-time salary for Cotswold residents is £41,267 (2025, £20.99 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 26% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Cotswold
How rents in Cotswold have changed
Average rent is +46.0% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,263 | £1,115 |
| 2025 | £1,188 | £1,048 |
| 2024 | £1,152 | £1,014 |
| 2023 | £1,125 | £988 |
| 2022 | £1,036 | £911 |
| 2021 | £979 | £862 |
| 2020 | £929 | £821 |
| 2019 | £917 | £809 |
| 2018 | £908 | £803 |
| 2017 | £893 | £790 |
| 2016 | £865 | £766 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastleigh | South East | £864 | £1,115 | £1,368 | +3.7% |
| 2 | Southampton | South East | £883 | £1,117 | £1,363 | +3.7% |
| 3 | Luton | East of England | £913 | £1,122 | £1,348 | +3.7% |
| 4 | Braintree | East of England | £857 | £1,108 | £1,366 | +2.5% |
| 5 | Warwick | West Midlands | £885 | £1,108 | £1,334 | +2.0% |
| 6 | Southend-on-Sea | East of England | £884 | £1,124 | £1,371 | +5.1% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cotswold?
The average private rent in Cotswold was £1,263 a month in September 2026, up 6.3% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £877 and a two-bedroom £1,115 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Cotswold?
To keep a £877 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £35,080 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £26,310. The median full-time salary for residents is £41,267.
Is Cotswold expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Cotswold costs £1,115 a month, 13% below the UK average of £1,287.
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.