How much does it cost to rent in Cheltenham? This page tracks private rents across the town using official Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures, refreshed every month when new data is published, to help tenants, landlords and anyone thinking of moving to the area.
Last updated: 10 October 2026. Latest data: August 2026 (ONS release of 16 September 2026).
Average Monthly Rents in Cheltenham
The average private rent in Cheltenham was £1,261 a month in August 2026, 4.8% up on a year earlier. The South West average was £1,245 (4.4% on the year) and the UK average £1,400 (3.8%).
| Property size | Cheltenham average | Change on the year | Gloucester average | Housing benefit (LHA) rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All properties | £1,261 pcm | 4.8% | £1,116 pcm | – |
| 1 bedroom | £869 pcm | 4.9% | £745 pcm | £625 pcm |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,096 pcm | 4.8% | £971 pcm | £800 pcm |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,354 pcm | 5.1% | £1,213 pcm | £1,000 pcm |
| 4+ bedrooms | £1,908 pcm | 4.2% | £1,655 pcm | £1,470 pcm |
Cheltenham and Gloucester figures are the ONS Price Index of Private Rents average for August 2026: rents paid across all private tenancies, not asking rents for new lettings, so a property advertised today can cost more. The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) column is the monthly Universal Credit rate for 2026 to 2027; the shared-accommodation rate (for under-35s) is £436.50.
Rents by Property Size
Rent Inflation Trends
Annual rent growth in Cheltenham was 4.8% in August 2026, up from 3.0% in May 2026. Over the last five years it peaked at 10.5% in April 2024. Across the South West it was 4.4% and across the UK 3.8%.
Cheltenham vs Gloucester
On the latest ONS figures the average rent in Cheltenham (£1,261) is 13% higher than in Gloucester (£1,116). The gap is widest for 1 bedroom (17% higher) and narrowest for 3 bedrooms (12% higher).
Tips for Renters
- Budget guide: Aim to spend no more than 35% of your take-home pay on rent
- Most affordable areas: Hester’s Way, St Mark’s, Arle, and Up Hatherley tend to offer lower rents
- Premium areas: Montpellier, The Park, Lansdown, and Pittville command the highest rents
- New developments: Purpose-built rental properties in the town centre may offer longer tenancies and more amenities
What is LHA?
Local Housing Allowance (LHA) rates set the maximum housing benefit that can be claimed for privately rented accommodation. They are based on the 30th percentile of rents in each Broad Rental Market Area (BRMA). Cheltenham has its own BRMA, separate from Gloucester. The rates shown are those for 2026 to 2027, which the government has set at the same level as April 2024.
Data sources: ONS Price Index of Private Rents (official statistics in development, subject to revision) and GOV.UK Local Housing Allowance rates. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.