Average rent in Oldham
The average private rent in Oldham was £951 a month in September 2026, +13.3% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £888, 31% below the UK average of £1,287 and in line with the average for the North West. It is the 9th most expensive of 35 areas in the North West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+13.7%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Oldham
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 | £708 | £28,320 | £21,240 |
| 2 bedrooms | £888 | £35,520 | £26,640 |
The median full-time salary for Oldham residents is £34,042 (2025, £17.81 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 25% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Oldham
How rents in Oldham have changed
Average rent is +80.8% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £951 | £888 |
| 2025 | £840 | £781 |
| 2024 | £795 | £738 |
| 2023 | £696 | £645 |
| 2022 | £654 | £606 |
| 2021 | £600 | £557 |
| 2020 | £575 | £533 |
| 2019 | £563 | £522 |
| 2018 | £551 | £511 |
| 2017 | £539 | £500 |
| 2016 | £526 | £489 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Plymouth | South West | £707 | £889 | £1,069 | +4.4% |
| 2 | Bury | North West | £686 | £889 | £1,066 | +0.7% |
| 3 | Leicester | East Midlands | £713 | £890 | £1,043 | +0.9% |
| 4 | Tameside | North West | £688 | £890 | £1,068 | +5.1% |
| 5 | North Northamptonshire | East Midlands | £686 | £885 | £1,072 | +4.7% |
| 6 | Vale of Glamorgan | Wales | £723 | £884 | £991 | +1.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Oldham?
The average private rent in Oldham was £951 a month in September 2026, up 13.3% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £708 and a two-bedroom £888 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Oldham?
To keep a £708 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £28,320 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £21,240. The median full-time salary for residents is £34,042.
Is Oldham expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Oldham costs £888 a month, 31% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 121 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.