Average rent in Leeds
The average private rent in Leeds was £1,148 a month in September 2026, +4.5% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £977, 24% below the UK average of £1,287 and 27% above the average for Yorkshire and The Humber. It is the 2nd most expensive of 15 areas in Yorkshire and The Humber. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+5.2%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Leeds
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 | £783 | £31,320 | £23,490 |
| 2 bedrooms | £977 | £39,080 | £29,310 |
The median full-time salary for Leeds residents is £36,716 (2025, £18.75 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 26% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Leeds
How rents in Leeds have changed
Average rent is +54.7% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,148 | £977 |
| 2025 | £1,098 | £934 |
| 2024 | £1,104 | £933 |
| 2023 | £1,047 | £880 |
| 2022 | £961 | £809 |
| 2021 | £874 | £739 |
| 2020 | £855 | £726 |
| 2019 | £810 | £688 |
| 2018 | £790 | £674 |
| 2017 | £779 | £665 |
| 2016 | £742 | £635 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gloucester | South West | £748 | £976 | £1,219 | +6.8% |
| 2 | Norwich | East of England | £781 | £976 | £1,144 | +0.8% |
| 3 | Tendring | East of England | £761 | £979 | £1,192 | +3.7% |
| 4 | Huntingdonshire | East of England | £750 | £974 | £1,179 | +4.0% |
| 5 | Wiltshire | South West | £755 | £981 | £1,231 | +5.8% |
| 6 | Dorset | South West | £733 | £969 | £1,194 | +4.2% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Leeds?
The average private rent in Leeds was £1,148 a month in September 2026, up 4.5% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £783 and a two-bedroom £977 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Leeds?
To keep a £783 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £31,320 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £23,490. The median full-time salary for residents is £36,716.
Is Leeds expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Leeds costs £977 a month, 24% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 152 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
All areas in Yorkshire and The Humber →
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.