Rental prices rise across most regions as affordability pressures persist

Rental price and average salary tracker – October 2026

Propertymark

10 November 2026

Average monthly rents increased in eight of the 11 regions between September and October, with Wales recording the largest rise at 31.1%, followed by the North East at 29.8% and the South West at 7.5%. Scotland, London and the North West were the only regions to record monthly falls.
Annual affordability deteriorated in eight regions, with the representative salary required to secure an average-priced rental increasing year-on-year. Scotland recorded the largest rise at 3.2%, followed by Wales at 3.0% and the South West at 2.5%.
There were some encouraging signs in three regions, with the annual salary requirement falling in the North East by 6.1%, the East Midlands by 2.8% and the North West by 1.1%, suggesting improved affordability compared with October 2025.
London continues to have the highest affordability threshold, with a representative annual salary of £69,660 required to secure an average-priced rental. This compares with £29,130 in Yorkshire and Humberside, highlighting the substantial regional disparities facing renters.
Overall, October's figures point to renewed upward pressure across much of the private rented sector. With monthly rents rising in the majority of regions and annual salary requirements increasing in most areas, affordability remains a significant challenge for prospective tenants, despite improvements in a small number of regions.

This monthly report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current private rented sector by examining the average agreed rental prices alongside the typical average annual salary required by referencing agencies to affordably rent across various regions. By exploring these key indicators, we aim to shed light on the affordability and accessibility of private rented housing relative to income levels, offering valuable insights, especially for those navigating the dynamic landscape of the UK’s housing market.

Kim Lidbury, President of ARLA Propertymark (Association of Residential Letting Agents), comments:

"The October figures highlight the continued challenges facing renters across much of the UK, with average monthly rents increasing in eight of the 11 regions. The particularly sharp rises recorded in Wales and the North East stand out, demonstrating how quickly rental costs can change and the differing pressures experienced across the country."Looking at affordability over the longer term, the picture is similarly challenging. The salary required to secure an average-priced rental has increased in eight regions over the past year, with Scotland, Wales and the South West seeing the largest increases. This reinforces the fact that rental costs continue to place pressure on household incomes, even where some regional improvements have been recorded."There are, however, some positive signs. The North East has seen the largest annual improvement in affordability, with the representative salary required falling by 6.1%, while the East Midlands and North West have also recorded reductions. These differences highlight how varied the rental market remains across the UK."Ultimately, improving affordability will require a sustained focus on increasing the supply of good-quality rental homes. Supporting responsible landlords to remain in the sector and invest in their properties, while addressing the wider shortage of housing, will be essential to creating a more balanced and sustainable private rented sector for tenants."

Change seen in the average salary required year-on-year:

The global mobility market will understand why the average wage figure at £68250 is high for many organisations bringing junior team members to the UK or indeed moving them from one part of the country to another, says Fiona Murchie, Managing Editor.

Please note: Comparative analysis for Northern Ireland has not been included, as the available sample size was insufficient to provide statistically reliable and representative findings.*It is important to consider that rental pricing can be influenced by many complex metrics, which may include location, types of property offered, supply vs demand, and seasonal trends, to name just a few considerations.

Data sources and calculations

*The average rent is calculated on the final let price, not the price which was put onto the market.*The average annual salary needed to rent a home is calculated based on the average required salary to pass referencing checks in the UK, at 30 times the monthly rent. This is then based on the average monthly rental price within that location.*Average monthly rent price is provided by using data from around 15,000 agencies across all areas of the UK.*All percentage differences have been rounded to the nearest decimal place.

About Propertymark 

Propertymark is the leading professional body for estate and letting agents, commercial agents, auctioneers, valuers and inventory providers comprising 18,000 members. We are member-led with a Board which is made up of practicing agents and we work closely with our members to set professional standards through regulation, accredited and recognised qualifications, an industry-leading training programme and mandatory Continuing Professional Development.     Members benefit from guidance, advice, and research as well as a comprehensive programme of workshops, conferences and events and we regulate members’ activity according to a code of conduct and rules, with disciplinary action for instances of non-compliance.  Propertymark launched in February 2017 combining ARLA, NAEA, NAVA, ICBA and APIP - groups dedicated to promoting high industry standards for over 50 years. Propertymark members are practising agents helping people to buy, sell and rent their highly valued homes every day. 

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