Average rent in Wolverhampton
The average private rent in Wolverhampton was £948 a month in September 2026, +10.7% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £845, 34% below the UK average of £1,287 and 5% below the average for the West Midlands. It is the 15th cheapest of 30 areas in the West Midlands. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+11.1%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Wolverhampton
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 | £675 | £27,000 | £20,250 |
| 2 bedrooms | £845 | £33,800 | £25,350 |
The median full-time salary for Wolverhampton residents is £35,858 (2025, £17.76 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 23% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Wolverhampton
How rents in Wolverhampton have changed
Average rent is +70.5% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £948 | £845 |
| 2025 | £857 | £763 |
| 2024 | £803 | £712 |
| 2023 | £732 | £649 |
| 2022 | £690 | £613 |
| 2021 | £651 | £580 |
| 2020 | £613 | £548 |
| 2019 | £596 | £534 |
| 2018 | £573 | £515 |
| 2017 | £564 | £508 |
| 2016 | £556 | £502 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hinckley and Bosworth | East Midlands | £637 | £842 | £1,027 | +2.8% |
| 2 | King's Lynn and West Norfolk | East of England | £650 | £849 | £1,054 | +3.6% |
| 3 | Broxtowe | East Midlands | £651 | £840 | £1,005 | -1.6% |
| 4 | Liverpool | North West | £688 | £840 | £967 | +5.4% |
| 5 | Warrington | North West | £676 | £839 | £1,022 | +5.3% |
| 6 | Sandwell | West Midlands | £680 | £851 | £1,015 | +7.3% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Wolverhampton?
The average private rent in Wolverhampton was £948 a month in September 2026, up 10.7% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £675 and a two-bedroom £845 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Wolverhampton?
To keep a £675 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £27,000 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £20,250. The median full-time salary for residents is £35,858.
Is Wolverhampton expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Wolverhampton costs £845 a month, 34% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 108 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
All areas in the West Midlands →
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.