Average rent in Somerset
The average private rent in Somerset was £1,021 a month in September 2026, +6.3% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £918, 29% below the UK average of £1,287 and 14% below the average for the South West. It is the 11th cheapest of 26 areas in the South West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+6.7%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Somerset
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 | £695 | £27,800 | £20,850 |
| 2 bedrooms | £918 | £36,720 | £27,540 |
The median full-time salary for Somerset residents is £36,279 (2025, £17.86 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 23% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Somerset
How rents in Somerset have changed
Average rent is +57.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,021 | £918 |
| 2025 | £960 | £861 |
| 2024 | £928 | £828 |
| 2023 | £870 | £776 |
| 2022 | £790 | £706 |
| 2021 | £757 | £677 |
| 2020 | £722 | £648 |
| 2019 | £699 | £628 |
| 2018 | £679 | £610 |
| 2017 | £663 | £596 |
| 2016 | £649 | £584 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Harborough | East Midlands | £719 | £919 | £1,127 | +4.5% |
| 2 | Nottingham | East Midlands | £735 | £916 | £1,054 | +1.7% |
| 3 | Ipswich | East of England | £748 | £921 | £1,054 | +4.5% |
| 4 | Worcester | West Midlands | £716 | £915 | £1,095 | +6.1% |
| 5 | Coventry | West Midlands | £760 | £915 | £1,069 | +2.3% |
| 6 | Cheshire West and Chester | North West | £731 | £922 | £1,132 | +6.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Somerset?
The average private rent in Somerset was £1,021 a month in September 2026, up 6.3% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £695 and a two-bedroom £918 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Somerset?
To keep a £695 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £27,800 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £20,850. The median full-time salary for residents is £36,279.
Is Somerset expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Somerset costs £918 a month, 29% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 137 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.