Average rent in Preston
The average private rent in Preston was £791 a month in September 2026, +5.7% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £731, 43% below the UK average of £1,287 and 18% below the average for the North West. It is the 10th cheapest of 35 areas in the North West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+6.0%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Preston
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 | £579 | £23,160 | £17,370 |
| 2 bedrooms | £731 | £29,240 | £21,930 |
The median full-time salary for Preston residents is £37,214 (2025, £18.40 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 19% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Preston
How rents in Preston have changed
Average rent is +39.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £791 | £731 |
| 2025 | £749 | £693 |
| 2024 | £687 | £634 |
| 2023 | £645 | £594 |
| 2022 | £614 | £566 |
| 2021 | £589 | £545 |
| 2020 | £575 | £533 |
| 2019 | £570 | £529 |
| 2018 | £565 | £526 |
| 2017 | £569 | £530 |
| 2016 | £568 | £530 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Lancashire | North West | £588 | £731 | £845 | +5.0% |
| 2 | Wakefield | Yorkshire and The Humber | £579 | £730 | £874 | +5.9% |
| 3 | Ashfield | East Midlands | £562 | £729 | £852 | +5.0% |
| 4 | Gateshead | North East | £593 | £727 | £848 | +5.7% |
| 5 | North East Derbyshire | East Midlands | £569 | £724 | £880 | +3.6% |
| 6 | North Tyneside | North East | £592 | £738 | £908 | +6.5% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Preston?
The average private rent in Preston was £791 a month in September 2026, up 5.7% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £579 and a two-bedroom £731 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Preston?
To keep a £579 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £23,160 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £17,370. The median full-time salary for residents is £37,214.
Is Preston expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Preston costs £731 a month, 43% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 51 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.