Average rent in Cambridge
The average private rent in Cambridge was £1,805 a month in September 2026, +1.9% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,613, 25% above the UK average of £1,287 and 40% above the average for the East of England. It is the 3rd most expensive of 45 areas in the East of England. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+2.3%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Cambridge
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 | £1,255 | £50,200 | £37,650 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,613 | £64,520 | £48,390 |
The median full-time salary for Cambridge residents is £43,741 (2025, £23.13 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 34% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Cambridge
How rents in Cambridge have changed
Average rent is +37.5% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,805 | £1,613 |
| 2025 | £1,772 | £1,584 |
| 2024 | £1,705 | £1,517 |
| 2023 | £1,570 | £1,395 |
| 2022 | £1,469 | £1,308 |
| 2021 | £1,398 | £1,249 |
| 2020 | £1,370 | £1,228 |
| 2019 | £1,371 | £1,230 |
| 2018 | £1,324 | £1,192 |
| 2017 | £1,324 | £1,193 |
| 2016 | £1,313 | £1,186 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Spelthorne | South East | £1,252 | £1,609 | £1,873 | +7.1% |
| 2 | Hertsmere | East of England | £1,269 | £1,619 | £1,960 | +4.0% |
| 3 | Watford | East of England | £1,268 | £1,602 | £1,830 | +2.1% |
| 4 | Hillingdon | London | £1,260 | £1,598 | £1,929 | +3.4% |
| 5 | Sevenoaks | South East | £1,278 | £1,596 | £1,948 | +6.9% |
| 6 | St Albans | East of England | £1,272 | £1,635 | £2,023 | +2.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Cambridge?
The average private rent in Cambridge was £1,805 a month in September 2026, up 1.9% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,255 and a two-bedroom £1,613 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Cambridge?
To keep a £1,255 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £50,200 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £37,650. The median full-time salary for residents is £43,741.
Is Cambridge expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Cambridge costs £1,613 a month, 25% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 252 of 282 larger UK areas from cheapest to most expensive.
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.