North West
Average rent in Manchester (2026)
The average 1-bed rent in Manchester is £1,035 a month, and a 2-bed is £1,320.
That is 7% below the UK average 1-bed rent of £1,115 and makes Manchester the 20th most expensive of the 109 cities and towns we track.
- 1-bed average
- £1,035
- Per week
- £239
- UK rank
- 20th of 109
- Take-home needed (30%)
- £3,450
Rent in Manchester by bedrooms
| Property | Per month | Per week |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £1,035 | £239 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,320 | £305 |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,540 | £355 |
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 Manchester?
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 (£1,035) | £3,697 | £3,450 | £2,958 | £2,588 |
| 2-bed (£1,320) | £4,715 | £4,400 | £3,772 | £3,300 |
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 £31,050 a year. This is an agent referencing rule, separate from your own budget. Not sure what your take-home is? Work it out here.
Manchester compared with the rest of North West
Across the 14 places we track in North West, 1-bed rents run from £540 in Burnley to £1,035 in Manchester. The middle value is £743, and Manchester is 1st most expensive in the region.
| Place | 1-bed | 2-bed |
|---|---|---|
| Manchester (this page) | £1,035 | £1,320 |
| Didsbury | £945 | £1,190 |
| Salford | £945 | £1,190 |
| Chester | £900 | £1,150 |
| Stockport | £855 | £1,065 |
| Warrington | £810 | £1,020 |
| Liverpool | £765 | £935 |
| Lancaster | £720 | £895 |
| Preston | £675 | £850 |
| Bolton | £630 | £810 |
| Carlisle | £630 | £810 |
| Blackburn | £585 | £725 |
Places with similar rents
If you are weighing up where to live, these places have a 1-bed rent closest to Manchester. The cheapest place we track is Hartlepool at £540.
- Bournemouth£1,035
- Canterbury£990
- Chelmsford£990
- Cheltenham£990
- Crawley£990
- Hemel Hempstead£1,080
Renting in Manchester: common questions
What is the average rent in Manchester?
In 2026/27 the indicative average rent in Manchester is £1,035 a month for a 1-bedroom property and £1,320 a month for a 2-bedroom property, and £1,540 for a 3-bedroom property. That makes Manchester the 20th most expensive of the 109 UK cities and towns we track.
How much do I need to earn to rent a 1-bed in Manchester?
To keep a £1,035 rent at the 30% guideline you need monthly take-home pay of about £3,450. For a more comfortable 28% share it is £3,697, and the absolute minimum at 40% is £2,588.
Is Manchester cheaper than London?
Yes. A 1-bed in Manchester averages £1,035 a month against £1,890 in London, a difference of £855 a month.
How much is weekly rent in Manchester?
A 1-bed at £1,035 a month works out at roughly £239 a week, or £12,420 a year. A 2-bed at £1,320 a month is roughly £305 a week.
How does Manchester compare with the rest of North West?
Across the 14 places we track in North West, 1-bed rents range from £540 in Burnley to £1,035 in Manchester, with a middle value of £743. Manchester is 1st most expensive in the region.
Related guides
The Hidden Costs of Renting in the UK That Catch Tenants Off Guard
You've found a flat within your budget. Then the bills arrive. Here's a complete breakdown of the costs renters regularly underestimate.
How Much Rent Should I Pay in the UK? The 30% Rule Explained
Most people pay rent and hope for the best. The 30% rule gives you an actual benchmark — and understanding it could save you from financial stress.
The Cheapest Cities to Rent in the UK in 2026
With remote work now the norm for many, there's never been a better time to ask: why am I paying London prices when I don't have to?
First Time Renting in the UK: A Complete 2026 Guide
Renting for the first time is exciting and a little terrifying. Here's everything nobody tells you — from what documents you need to how to avoid getting your deposit docked.
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.