Average rent in Swindon
The average private rent in Swindon was £1,103 a month in September 2026, +5.0% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £994, 23% below the UK average of £1,287 and 7% below the average for the South West. It is the 9th most expensive of 26 areas in the South West. 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 Swindon
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 | £825 | £33,000 | £24,750 |
| 2 bedrooms | £994 | £39,760 | £29,820 |
The median full-time salary for Swindon residents is £38,900 (2025, £19.31 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 25% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Swindon
How rents in Swindon have changed
Average rent is +50.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,103 | £994 |
| 2025 | £1,050 | £946 |
| 2024 | £992 | £891 |
| 2023 | £907 | £814 |
| 2022 | £850 | £764 |
| 2021 | £826 | £745 |
| 2020 | £805 | £728 |
| 2019 | £778 | £704 |
| 2018 | £770 | £698 |
| 2017 | £771 | £700 |
| 2016 | £734 | £668 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tewkesbury | South West | £755 | £990 | £1,258 | +14.4% |
| 2 | Wiltshire | South West | £755 | £981 | £1,231 | +5.8% |
| 3 | Tendring | East of England | £761 | £979 | £1,192 | +3.7% |
| 4 | Birmingham | West Midlands | £834 | £1,009 | £1,141 | +3.3% |
| 5 | Thanet | South East | £777 | £1,010 | £1,237 | +4.0% |
| 6 | Newcastle upon Tyne | North East | £816 | £1,010 | £1,199 | +7.9% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Swindon?
The average private rent in Swindon was £1,103 a month in September 2026, up 5.0% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £825 and a two-bedroom £994 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Swindon?
To keep a £825 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £33,000 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £24,750. The median full-time salary for residents is £38,900.
Is Swindon expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Swindon costs £994 a month, 23% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 156 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.