Average rent in Epping Forest
The average private rent in Epping Forest was £1,846 a month in September 2026, +5.5% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,586, 23% above the UK average of £1,287 and 38% above the average for the East of England. It is the 6th most expensive of 45 areas in the East of England. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+5.8%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Epping Forest
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 | £1,231 | £49,240 | £36,930 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,586 | £63,440 | £47,580 |
The median full-time salary for Epping Forest residents is £45,618 (2025, £23.13 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 32% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Epping Forest
How rents in Epping Forest have changed
Average rent is +46.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,846 | £1,586 |
| 2025 | £1,750 | £1,502 |
| 2024 | £1,641 | £1,401 |
| 2023 | £1,522 | £1,297 |
| 2022 | £1,447 | £1,234 |
| 2021 | £1,431 | £1,226 |
| 2020 | £1,401 | £1,206 |
| 2019 | £1,382 | £1,190 |
| 2018 | £1,369 | £1,182 |
| 2017 | £1,331 | £1,149 |
| 2016 | £1,262 | £1,092 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elmbridge | South East | £1,259 | £1,584 | £1,932 | +2.7% |
| 2 | Croydon | London | £1,267 | £1,577 | £1,864 | +3.4% |
| 3 | Sevenoaks | South East | £1,278 | £1,596 | £1,948 | +6.9% |
| 4 | Hillingdon | London | £1,260 | £1,598 | £1,929 | +3.4% |
| 5 | Watford | East of England | £1,268 | £1,602 | £1,830 | +2.1% |
| 6 | Windsor and Maidenhead | South East | £1,245 | £1,568 | £1,918 | +0.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Epping Forest?
The average private rent in Epping Forest was £1,846 a month in September 2026, up 5.5% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,231 and a two-bedroom £1,586 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Epping Forest?
To keep a £1,231 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £49,240 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £36,930. The median full-time salary for residents is £45,618.
Is Epping Forest expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Epping Forest costs £1,586 a month, 23% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 247 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.