Average rent in Dover
The average private rent in Dover was £1,037 a month in September 2026, +10.2% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £966, 25% below the UK average of £1,287 and 25% below the average for the South East. It is the 3rd cheapest of 64 areas in the South East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+10.2%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Dover
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 | £739 | £29,560 | £22,170 |
| 2 bedrooms | £966 | £38,640 | £28,980 |
The median full-time salary for Dover residents is £40,142 (2025, £19.75 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 22% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Dover
How rents in Dover have changed
Average rent is +62.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,037 | £966 |
| 2025 | £941 | £877 |
| 2024 | £879 | £818 |
| 2023 | £824 | £766 |
| 2022 | £766 | £714 |
| 2021 | £750 | £700 |
| 2020 | £720 | £672 |
| 2019 | £710 | £664 |
| 2018 | £674 | £630 |
| 2017 | £660 | £618 |
| 2016 | £639 | £600 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stroud | South West | £747 | £966 | £1,184 | +6.5% |
| 2 | Lichfield | West Midlands | £738 | £965 | £1,156 | +6.5% |
| 3 | Dorset | South West | £733 | £969 | £1,194 | +4.2% |
| 4 | West Northamptonshire | East Midlands | £754 | £958 | £1,171 | +3.3% |
| 5 | Huntingdonshire | East of England | £750 | £974 | £1,179 | +4.0% |
| 6 | Gloucester | South West | £748 | £976 | £1,219 | +6.8% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Dover?
The average private rent in Dover was £1,037 a month in September 2026, up 10.2% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £739 and a two-bedroom £966 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Dover?
To keep a £739 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £29,560 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £22,170. The median full-time salary for residents is £40,142.
Is Dover expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Dover costs £966 a month, 25% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 147 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.