Average rent in Peterborough
The average private rent in Peterborough was £1,014 a month in September 2026, +4.9% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £896, 30% below the UK average of £1,287 and 22% below the average for the East of England. It is the 8th cheapest of 45 areas in the East of England. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+5.5%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Peterborough
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 | £711 | £28,440 | £21,330 |
| 2 bedrooms | £896 | £35,840 | £26,880 |
The median full-time salary for Peterborough residents is £35,196 (2025, £17.39 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 24% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Peterborough
How rents in Peterborough have changed
Average rent is +58.9% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,014 | £896 |
| 2025 | £967 | £853 |
| 2024 | £913 | £803 |
| 2023 | £845 | £743 |
| 2022 | £813 | £716 |
| 2021 | £759 | £669 |
| 2020 | £735 | £650 |
| 2019 | £722 | £639 |
| 2018 | £700 | £621 |
| 2017 | £672 | £597 |
| 2016 | £638 | £568 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broadland | East of England | £694 | £897 | £1,083 | +4.1% |
| 2 | South Norfolk | East of England | £698 | £893 | £1,112 | +3.3% |
| 3 | Rushcliffe | East Midlands | £726 | £901 | £1,138 | +2.8% |
| 4 | Leicester | East Midlands | £713 | £890 | £1,043 | +0.9% |
| 5 | Tameside | North West | £688 | £890 | £1,068 | +5.1% |
| 6 | Plymouth | South West | £707 | £889 | £1,069 | +4.4% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Peterborough?
The average private rent in Peterborough was £1,014 a month in September 2026, up 4.9% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £711 and a two-bedroom £896 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Peterborough?
To keep a £711 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £28,440 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £21,330. The median full-time salary for residents is £35,196.
Is Peterborough expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Peterborough costs £896 a month, 30% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 127 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
All areas in the East of England →
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.