Average rent in Winchester
The average private rent in Winchester was £1,514 a month in September 2026, +4.8% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,325, 3% above the UK average of £1,287 and 3% above the average for the South East. It is the 25th most expensive of 64 areas in the South East. 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 Winchester
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 | £1,021 | £40,840 | £30,630 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,325 | £53,000 | £39,750 |
The median full-time salary for Winchester residents is £45,766 (2025, £22.50 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 27% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Winchester
How rents in Winchester have changed
Average rent is +40.1% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,514 | £1,325 |
| 2025 | £1,445 | £1,260 |
| 2024 | £1,392 | £1,209 |
| 2023 | £1,273 | £1,103 |
| 2022 | £1,209 | £1,050 |
| 2021 | £1,131 | £986 |
| 2020 | £1,119 | £978 |
| 2019 | £1,117 | £975 |
| 2018 | £1,137 | £996 |
| 2017 | £1,122 | £985 |
| 2016 | £1,081 | £951 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lothian | Scotland | £1,036 | £1,324 | £1,700 | +1.0% |
| 2 | Buckinghamshire | South East | £1,043 | £1,321 | £1,616 | +5.8% |
| 3 | Tonbridge and Malling | South East | £1,039 | £1,343 | £1,639 | +3.6% |
| 4 | South Oxfordshire | South East | £1,053 | £1,307 | £1,634 | +5.2% |
| 5 | Hart | South East | £1,025 | £1,306 | £1,586 | +3.2% |
| 6 | Wokingham | South East | £1,056 | £1,348 | £1,650 | +0.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Winchester?
The average private rent in Winchester was £1,514 a month in September 2026, up 4.8% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,021 and a two-bedroom £1,325 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Winchester?
To keep a £1,021 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £40,840 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £30,630. The median full-time salary for residents is £45,766.
Is Winchester expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Winchester costs £1,325 a month, 3% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 220 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.