Average rent in Wigan
The average private rent in Wigan was £749 a month in September 2026, +6.4% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £703, 45% below the UK average of £1,287 and 21% below the average for the North West. It is the 8th cheapest of 35 areas in the North West. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+6.9%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Wigan
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 | £544 | £21,760 | £16,320 |
| 2 bedrooms | £703 | £28,120 | £21,090 |
The median full-time salary for Wigan residents is £37,377 (2025, £18.46 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 17% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Wigan
How rents in Wigan have changed
Average rent is +55.1% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £749 | £703 |
| 2025 | £704 | £659 |
| 2024 | £656 | £612 |
| 2023 | £599 | £558 |
| 2022 | £560 | £523 |
| 2021 | £533 | £498 |
| 2020 | £512 | £478 |
| 2019 | £506 | £473 |
| 2018 | £499 | £467 |
| 2017 | £492 | £460 |
| 2016 | £483 | £453 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bridgend | Wales | £564 | £703 | £818 | +7.8% |
| 2 | Chesterfield | East Midlands | £542 | £698 | £835 | +3.4% |
| 3 | Highland and Islands | Scotland | £536 | £710 | £934 | +3.3% |
| 4 | Wrexham | Wales | £599 | £713 | £842 | +3.0% |
| 5 | Caerphilly | Wales | £554 | £693 | £781 | +7.1% |
| 6 | Mansfield | East Midlands | £555 | £714 | £854 | +5.5% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wigan?
The average private rent in Wigan was £749 a month in September 2026, up 6.4% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £544 and a two-bedroom £703 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Wigan?
To keep a £544 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £21,760 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £16,320. The median full-time salary for residents is £37,377.
Is Wigan expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Wigan costs £703 a month, 45% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 40 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.