Average rent in Rotherham
The average private rent in Rotherham was £689 a month in September 2026, +3.4% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £618, 52% below the UK average of £1,287 and 20% below the average for Yorkshire and The Humber. It is the 3rd cheapest of 15 areas in Yorkshire and The Humber. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+3.8%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Rotherham
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 | £490 | £19,600 | £14,700 |
| 2 bedrooms | £618 | £24,720 | £18,540 |
The median full-time salary for Rotherham residents is £34,713 (2025, £16.76 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 17% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Rotherham
How rents in Rotherham have changed
Average rent is +40.6% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £689 | £618 |
| 2025 | £666 | £596 |
| 2024 | £620 | £552 |
| 2023 | £578 | £513 |
| 2022 | £546 | £486 |
| 2021 | £526 | £469 |
| 2020 | £516 | £461 |
| 2019 | £506 | £452 |
| 2018 | £503 | £450 |
| 2017 | £497 | £445 |
| 2016 | £490 | £440 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Lincolnshire | Yorkshire and The Humber | £472 | £617 | £752 | +5.8% |
| 2 | Kingston upon Hull | Yorkshire and The Humber | £500 | £623 | £745 | +7.5% |
| 3 | Redcar and Cleveland | North East | £457 | £610 | £725 | +1.5% |
| 4 | Darlington | North East | £497 | £631 | £769 | +6.2% |
| 5 | Northumberland | North East | £496 | £631 | £768 | +7.0% |
| 6 | Middlesbrough | North East | £498 | £634 | £754 | +3.9% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Rotherham?
The average private rent in Rotherham was £689 a month in September 2026, up 3.4% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £490 and a two-bedroom £618 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Rotherham?
To keep a £490 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £19,600 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £14,700. The median full-time salary for residents is £34,713.
Is Rotherham expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Rotherham costs £618 a month, 52% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 9 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
All areas in Yorkshire and The Humber →
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.