London and the South East have recorded the sharpest year-on-year declines in the average salary required to rent a typical home in the region over the past year, the latest data from Propertymark has revealed.
In London, the figure fell by 4.2%, while the South East saw a 2.9% decrease. In contrast, Yorkshire and the Humber experienced one of the steepest rises in rent, with average monthly costs increasing by 8%—from £923 in September 2024 to £997 in September 2025.
Northern Ireland also saw a notable increase, with the average annual salary required to rent rising by 3.7% year-on-year.
Meanwhile, Scotland experienced a month-on-month drop in rental prices, with the average falling by 4.6%—from £1,150 in August 2025 to £1,097 in September 2025.
The North East remains the most affordable region to rent in the UK, with average monthly rent at £859, equating to a required annual salary of £25,770.
The monthly Propertymark 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 the country.
By exploring these key indicators, Propertymark aims to shed light on the affordability and accessibility of private rented housing relative to income levels, offering valuable insights for especially for those navigating the dynamic landscape of the UK’s housing market.
September 2025:
| Location | Average rental price | Representative average annual salary needed to secure the average-priced home (before tax and any deductions) |
| Scotland | £1,097 | £32,910 |
| Northern Ireland | £928 | £27,840 |
| Wales | £995 | £29,850 |
| East Midlands | £991 | £29,730 |
| East of England | £1,342 | £40,260 |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2,382 | £71,460 |
| North East | £859 | £25,770 |
| North West | £1,131 | £33,930 |
| South East | £1,496 | £44,880 |
| South West | £1,242 | £37,260 |
| West Midlands | £1,056 | £31,680 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £997 | £29,910 |
September 2024:
| Location | Average rental price 2024 | Representative average annual salary needed to secure the average-priced home (before tax and any deductions) |
| Scotland | £1,108 | £33,240 |
| Northern Ireland | £895 | £26,850 |
| Wales | £984 | £29,520 |
| East Midlands | £972 | £29,160 |
| East of England | £1,349 | £40,470 |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2,486 | £74,580 |
| North East | £853 | £25,590 |
| North West | £1,107 | £33,210 |
| South East | £1,540 | £46,200 |
| South West | £1,256 | £37,680 |
| West Midlands | £1,041 | £31,230 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £923 | £27,690 |
Change seen in the average salary required year on year:
| Location | September 2024 – typical annual salary needed to secure a home (before tax and deductions) | September 2025 – typical annual salary needed to secure a home (before tax and deductions) | % change in salary needed |
| Scotland | £33,240 | £32,910 | -1% |
| Northern Ireland | £26,850 | £27,840 | +3.7% |
| Wales | £29,520 | £29,850 | +1.1% |
| East Midlands | £29,160 | £29,730 | +2% |
| East of England | £40,470 | £40,260 | -0.5% |
| London (inner and outer London) | £74,580 | £71,460 | -4.2% |
| North East | £25,590 | £25,770 | +0.7% |
| North West | £33,210 | £33,930 | +2.2% |
| South East | £46,200 | £44,880 | -2.9% |
| South West | £37,680 | £37,260 | -1.1% |
| West Midlands | £31,230 | £31,680 | +1.4% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £27,690 | £29,910 | +8% |
Average monthly rental price month-on-month comparison (August 2025 compared to September 2025):
| Location | Average monthly rental price – August 2025 | Average monthly rental price – September 2025 | Percentage change (difference from August to Sept) |
| Scotland | £1,150 | £1,097 | -4.6% |
| Northern Ireland | £947 | £928 | -2% |
| Wales | £1,004 | £995 | -0.9% |
| East Midlands | £981 | £991 | +1% |
| East of England | £1,346 | £1,342 | -0.3% |
| London (inner and outer London) | £2,389 | £2,382 | -3% |
| North East | £865 | £859 | -0.7% |
| North West | £1,151 | £1,131 | -1.7% |
| South East | £1,497 | £1,496 | -0.07% |
| South West | £1,279 | £1,242 | -2.9% |
| West Midlands | £1,048 | £1,056 | +0.8% |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | £1,009 | £997 | -1.2% |
Megan Eighteen, President of ARLA Propertymark, said: “The latest data highlights a clear softening in rental prices across much of the UK, particularly in London and the South East, where affordability pressures have begun to push against rental growth. The 4.2% drop in the salary required to rent in the capital reflects a rebalancing in tenant demand and landlord pricing strategy, likely influenced by cost-of-living pressures and increased supply in some urban markets.
“However, regional variation remains significant. Yorkshire and Humberside’s 8% annual increase in rent levels points to growing demand and potentially undersupplied rental stock in those areas. For landlords and investors, this underlines the importance of a granular, region-by-region view when making portfolio decisions. Affordability is still a key driver, and we’re likely to see further shifts as interest rates, tenant budgets, and broader economic conditions evolve into 2026.”
