Average rent in Folkestone and Hythe
The average private rent in Folkestone and Hythe was £1,189 a month in September 2026, +10.0% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,041, 19% below the UK average of £1,287 and 19% below the average for the South East. It is the 6th cheapest of 64 areas in the South East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+10.4%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Folkestone and Hythe
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 | £812 | £32,480 | £24,360 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,041 | £41,640 | £31,230 |
The median full-time salary for Folkestone and Hythe residents is £38,864 (2025, £19.50 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 25% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Folkestone and Hythe
How rents in Folkestone and Hythe have changed
Average rent is +79.6% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,189 | £1,041 |
| 2025 | £1,080 | £945 |
| 2024 | £1,026 | £894 |
| 2023 | £894 | £778 |
| 2022 | £792 | £690 |
| 2021 | £773 | £674 |
| 2020 | £741 | £648 |
| 2019 | £740 | £647 |
| 2018 | £708 | £621 |
| 2017 | £675 | £592 |
| 2016 | £662 | £581 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swale | South East | £788 | £1,042 | £1,260 | +1.1% |
| 2 | Stockport | North West | £816 | £1,042 | £1,273 | +5.4% |
| 3 | Bedford | East of England | £802 | £1,032 | £1,265 | +2.5% |
| 4 | Stratford-on-Avon | West Midlands | £816 | £1,021 | £1,269 | +6.0% |
| 5 | West Suffolk | East of England | £821 | £1,065 | £1,326 | +4.2% |
| 6 | Colchester | East of England | £821 | £1,066 | £1,306 | +1.7% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Folkestone and Hythe?
The average private rent in Folkestone and Hythe was £1,189 a month in September 2026, up 10.0% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £812 and a two-bedroom £1,041 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Folkestone and Hythe?
To keep a £812 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £32,480 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £24,360. The median full-time salary for residents is £38,864.
Is Folkestone and Hythe expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Folkestone and Hythe costs £1,041 a month, 19% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 162 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.