Average rent in Sunderland
The average private rent in Sunderland was £710 a month in September 2026, +4.1% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £650, 50% below the UK average of £1,287 and 7% below the average for the North East. It is the 5th most expensive of 12 areas in the North East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+4.6%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Sunderland
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 | £525 | £21,000 | £15,750 |
| 2 bedrooms | £650 | £26,000 | £19,500 |
The median full-time salary for Sunderland residents is £32,744 (2025, £16.87 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 19% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Sunderland
How rents in Sunderland have changed
Average rent is +34.2% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £710 | £650 |
| 2025 | £682 | £624 |
| 2024 | £630 | £575 |
| 2023 | £593 | £540 |
| 2022 | £563 | £514 |
| 2021 | £550 | £503 |
| 2020 | £534 | £490 |
| 2019 | £531 | £487 |
| 2018 | £526 | £483 |
| 2017 | £527 | £484 |
| 2016 | £529 | £486 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | East Riding of Yorkshire | Yorkshire and The Humber | £502 | £650 | £799 | +4.6% |
| 2 | Carmarthenshire | Wales | £503 | £650 | £744 | +6.5% |
| 3 | Cumberland | North West | £512 | £649 | £792 | +7.2% |
| 4 | South Tyneside | North East | £523 | £648 | £780 | +7.4% |
| 5 | Blackpool | North West | £503 | £656 | £798 | +7.1% |
| 6 | Pembrokeshire | Wales | £516 | £643 | £762 | +4.6% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Sunderland?
The average private rent in Sunderland was £710 a month in September 2026, up 4.1% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £525 and a two-bedroom £650 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Sunderland?
To keep a £525 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £21,000 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £15,750. The median full-time salary for residents is £32,744.
Is Sunderland expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Sunderland costs £650 a month, 50% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 22 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.