Average rent in Derby
The average private rent in Derby was £871 a month in September 2026, +4.7% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £788, 39% below the UK average of £1,287 and 5% below the average for the East Midlands. It is the 17th cheapest of 35 areas in the East Midlands. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+5.1%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Derby
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 | £615 | £24,600 | £18,450 |
| 2 bedrooms | £788 | £31,520 | £23,640 |
The median full-time salary for Derby residents is £36,428 (2025, £18.48 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 20% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Derby
How rents in Derby have changed
Average rent is +56.1% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £871 | £788 |
| 2025 | £832 | £751 |
| 2024 | £772 | £693 |
| 2023 | £701 | £629 |
| 2022 | £674 | £607 |
| 2021 | £652 | £589 |
| 2020 | £622 | £563 |
| 2019 | £609 | £552 |
| 2018 | £597 | £542 |
| 2017 | £576 | £523 |
| 2016 | £558 | £507 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Erewash | East Midlands | £603 | £792 | £954 | +3.0% |
| 2 | Stafford | West Midlands | £631 | £792 | £979 | +6.5% |
| 3 | Herefordshire | West Midlands | £603 | £782 | £967 | +2.9% |
| 4 | Cannock Chase | West Midlands | £589 | £782 | £966 | +7.2% |
| 5 | North Devon | South West | £590 | £780 | £967 | -0.3% |
| 6 | Dudley | West Midlands | £609 | £780 | £940 | +3.1% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Derby?
The average private rent in Derby was £871 a month in September 2026, up 4.7% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £615 and a two-bedroom £788 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Derby?
To keep a £615 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £24,600 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £18,450. The median full-time salary for residents is £36,428.
Is Derby expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Derby costs £788 a month, 39% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 85 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
All areas in the East Midlands →
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.