Average rent in South Oxfordshire
The average private rent in South Oxfordshire was £1,418 a month in September 2026, +5.2% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,307, 2% above the UK average of £1,287 and 2% above the average for the South East. It is the 27th most expensive of 64 areas in the South East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+5.4%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in South Oxfordshire
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 | £1,053 | £42,120 | £31,590 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,307 | £52,280 | £39,210 |
The median full-time salary for South Oxfordshire residents is £48,525 (2025, £24.78 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 26% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in South Oxfordshire
How rents in South Oxfordshire have changed
Average rent is +37.9% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,418 | £1,307 |
| 2025 | £1,348 | £1,240 |
| 2024 | £1,313 | £1,206 |
| 2023 | £1,221 | £1,122 |
| 2022 | £1,152 | £1,060 |
| 2021 | £1,107 | £1,021 |
| 2020 | £1,099 | £1,016 |
| 2019 | £1,066 | £986 |
| 2018 | £1,053 | £974 |
| 2017 | £1,073 | £993 |
| 2016 | £1,028 | £952 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hart | South East | £1,025 | £1,306 | £1,586 | +3.2% |
| 2 | Mid Sussex | South East | £1,018 | £1,302 | £1,636 | +4.3% |
| 3 | Buckinghamshire | South East | £1,043 | £1,321 | £1,616 | +5.8% |
| 4 | North Hertfordshire | East of England | £1,031 | £1,293 | £1,588 | +6.4% |
| 5 | Chelmsford | East of England | £1,058 | £1,291 | £1,543 | +1.6% |
| 6 | Lothian | Scotland | £1,036 | £1,324 | £1,700 | +1.0% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in South Oxfordshire?
The average private rent in South Oxfordshire was £1,418 a month in September 2026, up 5.2% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,053 and a two-bedroom £1,307 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in South Oxfordshire?
To keep a £1,053 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £42,120 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £31,590. The median full-time salary for residents is £48,525.
Is South Oxfordshire expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in South Oxfordshire costs £1,307 a month, 2% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 217 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.