Average Rent in Manchester
As of January 2026, the average rent in Manchester is £1,343/month — roughly in line with the England average of £1,332. Rents have changed by +3.2% over the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £1,343/month (roughly in line with the England average of £1,332)
- Rents are up +3.2% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £984/month
- LHA shortfall of £211/month for a 1-bed — housing benefit unlikely to cover market rent
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Manchester breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £1,343 | +3.2% |
| 1 bedroom | £984 | +3.4% |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,208 | +3.1% |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,400 | +3.2% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £1,986 | +2.3% |
Rent by property type
Average rents in Manchester also vary by property type. Flats and maisonettes tend to be cheaper than detached houses.
| Property type | Avg. rent |
|---|---|
| Detached | £1,842 |
| Semi-detached | £1,461 |
| Terraced | £1,374 |
| Flat / maisonette | £1,125 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Central Greater Manchester area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £410 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £773 | £984 | +£211 |
| 2 bed | £873 | £1,208 | +£335 |
| 3 bed | £947 | £1,400 | +£453 |
| 4 bed | £1,346 | £1,986 | +£640 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Manchester: what to know
Manchester is in the North West region of England. The average rent of £1,343 per month is roughly in line with the England average of £1,332. This is 59% above the North West regional average of £845.
Rents in Manchester have risen +3.2% over the past year, slower than the North West average of +6.6%.
There's a significant gap between market rents and Local Housing Allowance in this area. A 1-bed here averages £984, but the LHA rate for the Central Greater Manchester BRMA is £773 \u2014 a shortfall of £211/month. Renters on housing benefit may need to top up from other income or look for properties below the local average.
If you’re looking to rent in Manchester, building a strong credit profile can help you pass tenant referencing checks and access a wider range of properties. Reporting your rent payments to credit agencies is one way to start building that history.
FAQs
What is the average rent in Manchester?
The average rent in Manchester is £1,343 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £984, a 2-bed £1,208, a 3-bed £1,400.
Is rent in Manchester going up or down?
Rents in Manchester have increased by +3.2% over the past year. This is broadly in line with national trends.
How does rent in Manchester compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Manchester (£984) is £211 above the LHA rate of £773 for the Central Greater Manchester area. This is a significant gap — renters on housing benefit would likely need to cover the difference or look for below-market options.
Related topics
Other areas in North West
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