Average rent in Brighton and Hove
The average private rent in Brighton and Hove was £1,816 a month in September 2026, -0.8% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,525, 19% above the UK average of £1,287 and 19% above the average for the South East. It is the 7th most expensive of 64 areas in the South East.
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Brighton and Hove
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 | £1,194 | £47,760 | £35,820 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,525 | £61,000 | £45,750 |
The median full-time salary for Brighton and Hove residents is £39,347 (2025, £20.65 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 36% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Brighton and Hove
How rents in Brighton and Hove have changed
Average rent is +37.6% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,816 | £1,525 |
| 2025 | £1,830 | £1,533 |
| 2024 | £1,749 | £1,455 |
| 2023 | £1,675 | £1,388 |
| 2022 | £1,493 | £1,242 |
| 2021 | £1,440 | £1,203 |
| 2020 | £1,440 | £1,208 |
| 2019 | £1,427 | £1,198 |
| 2018 | £1,390 | £1,172 |
| 2017 | £1,375 | £1,161 |
| 2016 | £1,320 | £1,118 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bexley | London | £1,231 | £1,529 | £1,870 | +1.7% |
| 2 | Bath and North East Somerset | South West | £1,212 | £1,530 | £1,820 | +7.5% |
| 3 | Havering | London | £1,218 | £1,544 | £1,851 | +0.9% |
| 4 | Bristol | South West | £1,230 | £1,551 | £1,769 | +5.7% |
| 5 | Guildford | South East | £1,197 | £1,557 | £1,887 | +5.7% |
| 6 | Reigate and Banstead | South East | £1,149 | £1,493 | £1,832 | +3.2% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Brighton and Hove?
The average private rent in Brighton and Hove was £1,816 a month in September 2026, down 0.8% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,194 and a two-bedroom £1,525 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Brighton and Hove?
To keep a £1,194 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £47,760 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £35,820. The median full-time salary for residents is £39,347.
Is Brighton and Hove expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Brighton and Hove costs £1,525 a month, 19% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 237 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.