Average rent in Wakefield
The average private rent in Wakefield was £810 a month in September 2026, +5.9% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £730, 43% below the UK average of £1,287 and 5% below the average for Yorkshire and The Humber. It is the 5th most expensive of 15 areas in Yorkshire and The Humber. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+6.3%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Wakefield
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 | £579 | £23,160 | £17,370 |
| 2 bedrooms | £730 | £29,200 | £21,900 |
The median full-time salary for Wakefield residents is £34,400 (2025, £17.71 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 20% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Wakefield
How rents in Wakefield have changed
Average rent is +47.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £810 | £730 |
| 2025 | £765 | £688 |
| 2024 | £731 | £655 |
| 2023 | £708 | £634 |
| 2022 | £655 | £587 |
| 2021 | £616 | £553 |
| 2020 | £593 | £535 |
| 2019 | £571 | £514 |
| 2018 | £564 | £510 |
| 2017 | £559 | £505 |
| 2016 | £550 | £499 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Preston | North West | £579 | £731 | £860 | +5.7% |
| 2 | West Lancashire | North West | £588 | £731 | £845 | +5.0% |
| 3 | Ashfield | East Midlands | £562 | £729 | £852 | +5.0% |
| 4 | Gateshead | North East | £593 | £727 | £848 | +5.7% |
| 5 | North East Derbyshire | East Midlands | £569 | £724 | £880 | +3.6% |
| 6 | North Tyneside | North East | £592 | £738 | £908 | +6.5% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wakefield?
The average private rent in Wakefield was £810 a month in September 2026, up 5.9% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £579 and a two-bedroom £730 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Wakefield?
To keep a £579 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £23,160 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £17,370. The median full-time salary for residents is £34,400.
Is Wakefield expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Wakefield costs £730 a month, 43% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 50 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
All areas in Yorkshire and The Humber →
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.