Average rent in Barnet
The average private rent in Barnet was £1,953 a month in September 2026, +2.9% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,862, 45% above the UK average of £1,287 and 17% below the average for London. It is the 14th cheapest of 32 areas in London. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+3.2%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Barnet
Two common tests: rent at no more than 30% of gross income, and the letting-agent referencing check of an annual income at least 30× the monthly rent.
| Home | Rent (pcm) | Salary for 30% rule | Agent check (30× rent) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £1,502 | £60,080 | £45,060 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,862 | £74,480 | £55,860 |
The median full-time salary for Barnet residents is £47,141 (2025, £24.04 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 38% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Barnet
How rents in Barnet have changed
Average rent is +33.4% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,953 | £1,862 |
| 2025 | £1,898 | £1,809 |
| 2024 | £1,775 | £1,688 |
| 2023 | £1,679 | £1,596 |
| 2022 | £1,528 | £1,454 |
| 2021 | £1,466 | £1,400 |
| 2020 | £1,488 | £1,425 |
| 2019 | £1,467 | £1,406 |
| 2018 | £1,455 | £1,400 |
| 2017 | £1,456 | £1,403 |
| 2016 | £1,464 | £1,413 |
Areas with similar rents
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Barnet?
The average private rent in Barnet was £1,953 a month in September 2026, up 2.9% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,502 and a two-bedroom £1,862 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Barnet?
To keep a £1,502 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £60,080 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £45,060. The median full-time salary for residents is £47,141.
Is Barnet expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Barnet costs £1,862 a month, 45% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 264 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
Rents: ONS Price Index of Private Rents (September 2026), average of new and existing private tenancies — official statistics in development. House prices: HM Land Registry UK House Price Index. Pay: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings, median gross pay of full-time employees by place of residence. Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. See our methodology.