Tips on Renting a house in Oldham Manchester

Renting a house in Oldham Manchester
If you are searching for more space, better value, and a straightforward commute, renting a house in Oldham can be a smart alternative to central Manchester. Oldham sits in Greater Manchester with a strong local identity, a busy town centre, and quick links into the city for work, study, shopping, and nights out.

Where Oldham is located in Manchester
Oldham is to the north east of Manchester and forms its own metropolitan borough within Greater Manchester. It neighbours areas such as Rochdale, Tameside and parts of the City of Manchester, which makes it well placed for commuting across the wider region.

Population and community
Oldham has a population of about 246,130 based on the 2023 mid year estimate, with a relatively youthful age profile compared with many areas. This creates a lively feel in many neighbourhoods, with family housing, local services, and a steady rental market.

Average rent in Oldham compared with Manchester
Rental prices in Oldham are typically much lower than in Manchester city. The Office for National Statistics shows average monthly private rent at £855 in Oldham and £1,330 in Manchester in late 2025, putting Oldham roughly 36 percent cheaper on average. For renters, that difference can translate into an extra bedroom, a garden, or a better overall standard of space for the same budget. ONS data also shows how rents vary by size in Oldham, from around £632 for a one bedroom to about £957 for a three bedroom, helping renters benchmark what is reasonable in the local market.

Distance to Manchester city centre and key places
Oldham is close enough to Manchester to feel connected, but far enough to be priced differently. The distance to Manchester city centre is around 8 miles, depending on your start point and destination in the centre. By tram, a typical journey from Oldham Mumps to Manchester Victoria has been reported at around 30 minutes, which suits commuters who want predictable travel without driving. From Victoria, it is easy to reach other central hubs such as the Northern Quarter, Piccadilly area, and major employment districts using onward public transport.

Pros and cons of renting a house in Oldham
Oldham’s biggest advantage is value for money, especially if you need a house rather than a small city centre flat. It also offers access to Pennine countryside edges, local parks, and a more residential pace while keeping Manchester within reach. A realistic downside is that the experience can vary street by street, with some areas feeling quieter and more suburban while others are busier and more mixed. As with many towns, local amenities can be very convenient in the centre but more limited in some outer pockets, so location choice matters.

Main streets and what they are known for
Oldham town centre revolves around several key streets that are useful landmarks when choosing where to rent. Yorkshire Street is one of the best known central streets, closely tied to civic buildings and town centre activity, and it features prominently in local improvement plans. Union Street is another core route through the centre and is also referenced in regeneration works aimed at improving the high street environment. Around the centre you will also see Market Street and the wider market area referenced in local travel stops and schedules, reflecting how the town’s shopping and transport meet in the middle.

Safety in Oldham compared with the wider area
Safety is an important part of any rental decision. area comparisons indicate that, in the year ending June 2025, the crime rate in Oldham was higher than the Greater Manchester force area average. That said, Oldham is not one single neighbourhood, and day to day safety can differ significantly depending on the specific part of the borough, the street layout, and how close you are to busy night time or retail zones. For renters, it is worth checking the immediate area around any property and visiting at different times of day.

How student friendly Oldham is
Oldham is more student friendly than many people assume, mainly because of price and connectivity. University Campus Oldham has offered higher education in the town since 2005 and is part of the Oldham College family, which supports a steady student presence.
Location also helps, with information describing the campus as being close to Metrolink stops in the town centre, which makes commuting easier for students travelling to placements or into Manchester.
Students who want Manchester’s university life but prefer cheaper rent often consider Oldham for shared houses, especially when they can rely on trams and buses.

Buses, trams and public transport
Public transport is one of Oldham’s strongest practical benefits for renters. The Manchester Metrolink includes the Oldham and Rochdale line, running through stops such as Oldham Mumps, Oldham Central and Oldham King Street toward central Manchester. On the bus side, the Bee Network run by Transport for Greater Manchester provides schedules and routes that connect Oldham Mumps Interchange, Oldham Bus Station, and key corridors past places like Oldham College, helping daily travel without a car. For drivers who still use public transport for part of the commute, Oldham Mumps has a park and ride facility, which is useful if you live farther out.

Well known letting agents in Oldham
If you want local market knowledge and a steady stream of listings, several established names operate in and around Oldham. Ryder and Dutton is a long standing local agency with a town centre presence.
Belvoir has a dedicated Oldham branch offering lettings and property management. Northwood also operates in the Oldham and East Manchester area, covering rentals and management services. Hunters has an Oldham office offering sales and lettings support across the borough.

Food and fun in Oldham
Oldham has more going on than just practical renting value. Gallery Oldham provides exhibitions and events, adding a cultural option right in the borough.
The town also has a strong market tradition around Tommyfield, which remains a recognisable town centre destination for browsing and everyday shopping.
For casual socialising and eating, newer concepts like The Egyptian Room position the centre as a place for food, drinks and entertainment in a historic setting.

Night out in Oldham
A night out in Oldham is typically more local and low key than central Manchester, with bars, social clubs, and relaxed venues rather than large club districts. For bigger nights out, many renters simply take the tram into Manchester, which is one of the reasons Oldham suits people who want quieter living during the week while keeping the city’s late night options close by. The key is to choose a home location that gives you easy access to the tram stops and interchanges, so getting home stays simple.