Average rent in Merthyr Tydfil
The average private rent in Merthyr Tydfil was £754 a month in September 2026, -1.9% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £640, 50% below the UK average of £1,287 and 18% below the average for Wales. It is the 4th cheapest of 22 areas in Wales.
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Merthyr Tydfil
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 | £553 | £22,120 | £16,590 |
| 2 bedrooms | £640 | £25,600 | £19,200 |
The median full-time salary for Merthyr Tydfil residents is £35,152 (2025, £17.63 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 19% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Merthyr Tydfil
How rents in Merthyr Tydfil have changed
Average rent is +64.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £754 | £640 |
| 2025 | £769 | £650 |
| 2024 | £686 | £578 |
| 2023 | £637 | £538 |
| 2022 | £583 | £492 |
| 2021 | £523 | £442 |
| 2020 | £514 | £436 |
| 2019 | £489 | £413 |
| 2018 | £478 | £405 |
| 2017 | £464 | £392 |
| 2016 | £459 | £389 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Doncaster | Yorkshire and The Humber | £496 | £641 | £763 | +5.2% |
| 2 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | £516 | £643 | £762 | +4.6% |
| 3 | Pendle | North West | £499 | £636 | £743 | +6.4% |
| 4 | Neath Port Talbot | Wales | £501 | £636 | £728 | +6.3% |
| 5 | Scottish Borders | Scotland | £479 | £635 | £829 | -0.4% |
| 6 | Middlesbrough | North East | £498 | £634 | £754 | +3.9% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Merthyr Tydfil?
The average private rent in Merthyr Tydfil was £754 a month in September 2026, down 1.9% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £553 and a two-bedroom £640 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Merthyr Tydfil?
To keep a £553 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £22,120 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £16,590. The median full-time salary for residents is £35,152.
Is Merthyr Tydfil expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Merthyr Tydfil costs £640 a month, 50% 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.