East Midlands
Average rent in Leicester (2026)
The average 1-bed rent in Leicester is £720 a month, and a 2-bed is £895.
That is 35% below the UK average 1-bed rent of £1,115 and makes Leicester the 70th most expensive of the 109 cities and towns we track.
- 1-bed average
- £720
- Per week
- £166
- UK rank
- 70th of 109
- Take-home needed (30%)
- £2,400
Rent in Leicester by bedrooms
| Property | Per month | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £720 | £166 |
| 2 bedrooms | £895 | £207 |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,050 | £242 |
Indicative 2026/27 averages. Rents vary by neighbourhood, property condition and EPC rating. Use the rental value calculator to estimate a specific property.
What salary do you need to rent in Leicester?
Monthly take-home pay you need so that the average rent stays within each share of your income. The usual guideline is no more than 30%.
| Property | Comfortable (28%) | Guideline (30%) | Stretch (35%) | Minimum (40%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1-bed (£720) | £2,572 | £2,400 | £2,058 | £1,800 |
| 2-bed (£895) | £3,197 | £2,984 | £2,558 | £2,238 |
Many letting agents also ask for a gross annual income of around 30 times the monthly rent, which for a 1-bed here is about £21,600 a year. This is an agent referencing rule, separate from your own budget. Not sure what your take-home is? Work it out here.
Leicester compared with the rest of East Midlands
Across the 8 places we track in East Midlands, 1-bed rents run from £675 in Loughborough to £855 in West Bridgford. The middle value is £698, and Leicester is 3rd most expensive in the region.
| Place | 1-bed | 2-bed |
|---|---|---|
| West Bridgford | £855 | £1,105 |
| Northampton | £765 | £935 |
| Leicester (this page) | £720 | £895 |
| Nottingham | £720 | £895 |
| Beeston | £675 | £850 |
| Derby | £675 | £850 |
| Lincoln | £675 | £850 |
| Loughborough | £675 | £850 |
Places with similar rents
If you are weighing up where to live, these places have a 1-bed rent closest to Leicester. The cheapest place we track is Hartlepool at £540.
- Lancaster£720
- Lisburn£720
- Newcastle£720
- Nottingham£720
- Sheffield£720
- Shrewsbury£720
Renting in Leicester: common questions
What is the average rent in Leicester?
In 2026/27 the indicative average rent in Leicester is £720 a month for a 1-bedroom property and £895 a month for a 2-bedroom property, and £1,050 for a 3-bedroom property. That makes Leicester the 70th most expensive of the 109 UK cities and towns we track.
How much do I need to earn to rent a 1-bed in Leicester?
To keep a £720 rent at the 30% guideline you need monthly take-home pay of about £2,400. For a more comfortable 28% share it is £2,572, and the absolute minimum at 40% is £1,800.
Is Leicester cheaper than London?
Yes. A 1-bed in Leicester averages £720 a month against £1,890 in London, a difference of £1,170 a month.
How much is weekly rent in Leicester?
A 1-bed at £720 a month works out at roughly £166 a week, or £8,640 a year. A 2-bed at £895 a month is roughly £207 a week.
How does Leicester compare with the rest of East Midlands?
Across the 8 places we track in East Midlands, 1-bed rents range from £675 in Loughborough to £855 in West Bridgford, with a middle value of £698. Leicester is 3rd most expensive in the region.
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Figures are indicative averages for 2026/27, rounded for planning, and are for information only. They are not financial, legal or housing advice. See our methodology for how the figures are produced. Last reviewed October 2026.