Average rent in Swale
The average private rent in Swale was £1,127 a month in September 2026, +1.1% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,042, 19% below the UK average of £1,287 and 19% below the average for the South East. It is the 7th cheapest of 64 areas in the South East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+1.4%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Swale
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 | £788 | £31,520 | £23,640 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,042 | £41,680 | £31,260 |
The median full-time salary for Swale residents is £38,432 (2025, £19.68 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 25% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Swale
How rents in Swale have changed
Average rent is +55.4% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,127 | £1,042 |
| 2025 | £1,115 | £1,029 |
| 2024 | £1,033 | £952 |
| 2023 | £974 | £896 |
| 2022 | £914 | £842 |
| 2021 | £880 | £812 |
| 2020 | £848 | £783 |
| 2019 | £817 | £754 |
| 2018 | £794 | £733 |
| 2017 | £786 | £727 |
| 2016 | £725 | £671 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stockport | North West | £816 | £1,042 | £1,273 | +5.4% |
| 2 | Folkestone and Hythe | South East | £812 | £1,041 | £1,298 | +10.0% |
| 3 | Bedford | East of England | £802 | £1,032 | £1,265 | +2.5% |
| 4 | Stratford-on-Avon | West Midlands | £816 | £1,021 | £1,269 | +6.0% |
| 5 | West Suffolk | East of England | £821 | £1,065 | £1,326 | +4.2% |
| 6 | Colchester | East of England | £821 | £1,066 | £1,306 | +1.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Swale?
The average private rent in Swale was £1,127 a month in September 2026, up 1.1% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £788 and a two-bedroom £1,042 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Swale?
To keep a £788 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £31,520 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £23,640. The median full-time salary for residents is £38,432.
Is Swale expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Swale costs £1,042 a month, 19% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 163 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.