Average rent in Middlesbrough
The average private rent in Middlesbrough was £699 a month in September 2026, +3.9% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £634, 51% below the UK average of £1,287 and 9% below the average for the North East. It is the 6th cheapest of 12 areas in the North East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+4.3%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Middlesbrough
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 | £498 | £19,920 | £14,940 |
| 2 bedrooms | £634 | £25,360 | £19,020 |
The median full-time salary for Middlesbrough residents is £35,177 (2025, £17.38 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 17% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Middlesbrough
How rents in Middlesbrough have changed
Average rent is +37.9% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £699 | £634 |
| 2025 | £673 | £610 |
| 2024 | £622 | £562 |
| 2023 | £572 | £516 |
| 2022 | £539 | £487 |
| 2021 | £529 | £479 |
| 2020 | £520 | £472 |
| 2019 | £512 | £465 |
| 2018 | £514 | £467 |
| 2017 | £512 | £465 |
| 2016 | £507 | £462 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Scottish Borders | Scotland | £479 | £635 | £829 | -0.4% |
| 2 | Pendle | North West | £499 | £636 | £743 | +6.4% |
| 3 | Neath Port Talbot | Wales | £501 | £636 | £728 | +6.3% |
| 4 | Darlington | North East | £497 | £631 | £769 | +6.2% |
| 5 | Northumberland | North East | £496 | £631 | £768 | +7.0% |
| 6 | Doncaster | Yorkshire and The Humber | £496 | £641 | £763 | +5.2% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Middlesbrough?
The average private rent in Middlesbrough was £699 a month in September 2026, up 3.9% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £498 and a two-bedroom £634 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Middlesbrough?
To keep a £498 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £19,920 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £14,940. The median full-time salary for residents is £35,177.
Is Middlesbrough expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Middlesbrough costs £634 a month, 51% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 13 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.