Average rent in Brentwood
The average private rent in Brentwood was £1,623 a month in September 2026, +2.3% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,401, 9% above the UK average of £1,287 and 22% above the average for the East of England. It is the 8th most expensive of 45 areas in the East of England. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+2.6%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Brentwood
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 | £1,109 | £44,360 | £33,270 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,401 | £56,040 | £42,030 |
The median full-time salary for Brentwood residents is £47,494 (2025, £22.95 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 28% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Brentwood
How rents in Brentwood have changed
Average rent is +32.0% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,623 | £1,401 |
| 2025 | £1,587 | £1,371 |
| 2024 | £1,550 | £1,333 |
| 2023 | £1,438 | £1,236 |
| 2022 | £1,372 | £1,180 |
| 2021 | £1,324 | £1,142 |
| 2020 | £1,272 | £1,101 |
| 2019 | £1,258 | £1,091 |
| 2018 | £1,260 | £1,095 |
| 2017 | £1,236 | £1,073 |
| 2016 | £1,230 | £1,071 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading | South East | £1,120 | £1,399 | £1,680 | +1.3% |
| 2 | East Hertfordshire | East of England | £1,097 | £1,397 | £1,692 | +4.8% |
| 3 | Dacorum | East of England | £1,111 | £1,394 | £1,677 | +2.5% |
| 4 | Crawley | South East | £1,071 | £1,392 | £1,652 | +3.3% |
| 5 | Tunbridge Wells | South East | £1,062 | £1,414 | £1,714 | +5.0% |
| 6 | Dartford | South East | £1,095 | £1,424 | £1,716 | +3.2% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Brentwood?
The average private rent in Brentwood was £1,623 a month in September 2026, up 2.3% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,109 and a two-bedroom £1,401 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Brentwood?
To keep a £1,109 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £44,360 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £33,270. The median full-time salary for residents is £47,494.
Is Brentwood expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Brentwood costs £1,401 a month, 9% above the UK average of £1,287.
All areas in the East of England →
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.