Rental price and average salary tracker – April 2026
Mixed Rental Trends Emerge Across UK as Regional Price Gaps Widen
- Scotland recorded one of the strongest monthly increases, with average rents rising from £1,123 to £1,167 (+3.9% month-on-month), reinforcing continued upward pressure in the Scottish rental market.
- Northern Ireland also saw significant growth, with rents increasing from £887 to £920 (+3.7%), alongside a fall in annual salary requirements to £27,600 (-2.4% year-on-year), indicating improving affordability on income measures despite rising rents.
- London rebounded after the previous dip, with average rents rising from £2,193 to £2,259 (+3.0% month-on-month).
- Regional divergence remains clear, with Wales (-3.4%), the North East (-3.0%), and the North West (-2.6%) all seeing monthly rent declines, highlighting a split between growth and correction across the UK.
This monthly report provides a comprehensive analysis of the current private rented sector in the UK 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.
April 2026:
| Location | Average rental price | Representative average annual salary needed to secure the average-priced home (before tax and any deductions) |
| Scotland | £1,167 | £35,010 |
| Northern Ireland | £920 | £27,600 |
| Wales | £1,009 | £30,270 |
| East Midlands | £987 | £29,610 |
| East of England | £1,348 | £40,440 |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2,259 | £67,770 |
| North East | £836 | £25,080 |
| North West | £1,061 | £31,830 |
| South East | £1,482 | £44,460 |
| South West | £1,284 | £38,520 |
| West Midlands | £1,033 | £30,990 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £950 | £28,500 |
April 2025 (for comparison):
| Location | Average rental price | Representative average annual salary needed to secure the average-priced home (before tax and any deductions) |
| Scotland | £1,154 | £34,620 |
| Northern Ireland | £943 | £28,290 |
| Wales | £999 | £29,970 |
| East Midlands | £979 | £29,370 |
| East of England | £1,329 | £39,870 |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2,247 | £67,410 |
| North East | £876 | £26,280 |
| North West | £1,072 | £32,160 |
| South East | £1,505 | £45,150 |
| South West | £1,266 | £37,980 |
| West Midlands | £1,045 | £31,350 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £927 | £27,810 |
Change seen in the average salary required year-on-year:
| Location | April 2025 – typical annual salary needed to secure a home (before tax and deductions) | April 2026 – typical annual salary needed to secure a home (before tax and deductions) | % change in salary needed |
| Scotland | £34,620 | £35,010 | +1.1% |
| Northern Ireland | £28,290 | £27,600 | −2.4% |
| Wales | £29,970 | £30,270 | +1% |
| East Midlands | £29,370 | £29,610 | +0.8% |
| East of England | £39,870 | £40,440 | +1.4% |
| London (inner and outer London) | £67,410 | £67,770 | +0.5% |
| North East | £26,280 | £25,080 | −4.6% |
| North West | £32,160 | £31,830 | −1% |
| South East | £45,150 | £44,460 | −1.5% |
| South West | £37,980 | £38,520 | +1.4% |
| West Midlands | £31,350 | £30,990 | −1.2% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £27,810 | £28,500 | +2.5% |
Average monthly rental price month-on-month comparison (March 2026 – April 2026):
| Location | Average monthly rental price – March 2026 | Average monthly rental price – April 2026 | Percentage change (difference from March to April) |
| Scotland | £1,123 | £1,167 | +3.9% |
| Northern Ireland | £887 | £920 | +3.7% |
| Wales | £1,044 | £1,009 | −3.4% |
| East Midlands | £979 | £987 | +0.8% |
| East of England | £1,328 | £1,348 | +1.5% |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2193 | £2,259 | +3% |
| North East | £862 | £836 | −3% |
| North West | £1,089 | £1,061 | −2.6% |
| South East | £1495 | £1,482 | −0.9% |
| South West | £1309 | £1,284 | −1.9% |
| West Midlands | £1,040 | £1,033 | −0.7% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £945 | £950 | +0.5% |
Megan Eighteen, President of ARLA Propertymark (Association of Residential Letting Agents), comments:
“The latest figures continue to show a highly regionalised rental market, with some areas experiencing noticeable monthly growth while others are seeing mild corrections. This divergence reflects ongoing imbalances between supply and demand across different parts of the UK, rather than a uniform national trend.
“While rental inflation has generally moderated compared with previous peaks, the most recent data highlights that conditions remain mixed, with continued pressure in higher-demand locations such as London and Scotland, alongside softer or declining rents in parts of Wales and northern England.
“Looking ahead, the market remains sensitive to broader economic conditions and evolving regulatory changes. With the Renters’ Rights Act commencing across England in May 2026, the sector will also be entering a period of transition as landlords and letting agents adapt to the new legislative framework. How this interacts with existing affordability pressures and supply dynamics will be an important factor to monitor over the coming months.
“Overall, affordability remains a key constraint for many households, and the direction of rents is likely to continue varying significantly by region rather than moving in a single national pattern.”
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