Average rent in Southampton
The average private rent in Southampton was £1,261 a month in September 2026, +3.7% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,117, 13% below the UK average of £1,287 and 13% below the average for the South East. It is the 13th cheapest of 64 areas in the South East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+4.1%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Southampton
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 | £883 | £35,320 | £26,490 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,117 | £44,680 | £33,510 |
The median full-time salary for Southampton residents is £37,130 (2025, £18.57 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 29% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Southampton
How rents in Southampton have changed
Average rent is +46.1% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,261 | £1,117 |
| 2025 | £1,216 | £1,078 |
| 2024 | £1,161 | £1,026 |
| 2023 | £1,061 | £936 |
| 2022 | £983 | £870 |
| 2021 | £929 | £825 |
| 2020 | £904 | £805 |
| 2019 | £896 | £800 |
| 2018 | £886 | £794 |
| 2017 | £877 | £787 |
| 2016 | £863 | £776 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Eastleigh | South East | £864 | £1,115 | £1,368 | +3.7% |
| 2 | Luton | East of England | £913 | £1,122 | £1,348 | +3.7% |
| 3 | Southend-on-Sea | East of England | £884 | £1,124 | £1,371 | +5.1% |
| 4 | Braintree | East of England | £857 | £1,108 | £1,366 | +2.5% |
| 5 | Warwick | West Midlands | £885 | £1,108 | £1,334 | +2.0% |
| 6 | Central Bedfordshire | East of England | £870 | £1,105 | £1,386 | +4.4% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Southampton?
The average private rent in Southampton was £1,261 a month in September 2026, up 3.7% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £883 and a two-bedroom £1,117 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Southampton?
To keep a £883 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £35,320 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £26,490. The median full-time salary for residents is £37,130.
Is Southampton expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Southampton costs £1,117 a month, 13% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 181 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.