Average Rent in Oldham
As of January 2026, the average rent in Oldham is £882/month — 34% below the England average of £1,332. Rents are rising quickly, up +9.2% in the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £882/month (34% below the England average of £1,332)
- Rents rising fast: +9.2% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £658/month
- Market rents exceed LHA by £184/month for a 1-bed
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Oldham breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £882 | +9.2% |
| 1 bedroom | £658 | +9.6% |
| 2 bedrooms | £821 | +9.5% |
| 3 bedrooms | £997 | +9.1% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £1,369 | +8.0% |
Rent by property type
Average rents in Oldham also vary by property type. Flats and maisonettes tend to be cheaper than detached houses.
| Property type | Avg. rent |
|---|---|
| Detached | £1,272 |
| Semi-detached | £975 |
| Terraced | £864 |
| Flat / maisonette | £758 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Oldham & Rochdale area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £344 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £474 | £658 | +£184 |
| 2 bed | £576 | £821 | +£245 |
| 3 bed | £693 | £997 | +£304 |
| 4 bed | £947 | £1,369 | +£422 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Oldham: what to know
Oldham is in the North West region of England. The average rent of £882 per month is 34% below the England average of £1,332. This is roughly in line with the North West regional average of £845.
Rents in Oldham are rising quickly — up +9.2% over the past year, faster than the North West average of +6.6%. For renters already in the area, this makes staying put more attractive than moving — and for newcomers, it highlights the importance of acting quickly when a suitable property appears.
The Local Housing Allowance for the Oldham & Rochdale area is £474/month for a 1-bed, slightly below the market average of £658. Renters on housing benefit may face a modest shortfall of £184/month.
Even in more affordable areas, landlords increasingly use credit checks during referencing. If you’re building credit for the first time or recovering from past issues, reporting your rent payments is a practical starting point.
FAQs
What is the average rent in Oldham?
The average rent in Oldham is £882 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £658, a 2-bed £821, a 3-bed £997.
Is rent in Oldham going up or down?
Rents in Oldham have increased by +9.2% over the past year. This is well above the national average rate of increase, putting extra pressure on renters.
How does rent in Oldham compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Oldham (£658) is £184 above the LHA rate of £474 for the Oldham & Rochdale area. This means renters on housing benefit may face a shortfall.
Is Oldham a good area for affordable renting?
With average rents of £882/month, Oldham is well below the England average of £1,332. Lower rents can make it easier to save or manage a budget, though availability and property standards vary.
Related topics
Other areas in North West
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