Average rent in West Lothian
The average private rent in West Lothian was £914 a month in September 2026, +9.3% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £839, 35% below the UK average of £1,287 and 8% below the average for Scotland. It is the 4th most expensive of 18 areas in Scotland. Over the past year, 1 bed homes rose fastest (+10.5%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in West Lothian
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 | £621 | £24,840 | £18,630 |
| 2 bedrooms | £839 | £33,560 | £25,170 |
How rents in West Lothian have changed
Average rent is +53.6% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £914 | £839 |
| 2025 | £836 | £766 |
| 2024 | £817 | £748 |
| 2023 | £730 | £671 |
| 2022 | £733 | £671 |
| 2021 | £694 | £636 |
| 2020 | £669 | £618 |
| 2019 | £644 | £594 |
| 2018 | £628 | £578 |
| 2017 | £616 | £572 |
| 2016 | £595 | £554 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warrington | North West | £676 | £839 | £1,022 | +5.3% |
| 2 | Broxtowe | East Midlands | £651 | £840 | £1,005 | -1.6% |
| 3 | Liverpool | North West | £688 | £840 | £967 | +5.4% |
| 4 | Hinckley and Bosworth | East Midlands | £637 | £842 | £1,027 | +2.8% |
| 5 | Wolverhampton | West Midlands | £675 | £845 | £1,014 | +10.7% |
| 6 | Lincoln | East Midlands | £662 | £832 | £996 | +4.0% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in West Lothian?
The average private rent in West Lothian was £914 a month in September 2026, up 9.3% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £621 and a two-bedroom £839 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in West Lothian?
To keep a £621 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £24,840 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £18,630.
Is West Lothian expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in West Lothian costs £839 a month, 35% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 104 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.