Average rent in Guildford
The average private rent in Guildford was £1,754 a month in September 2026, +5.7% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,557, 21% above the UK average of £1,287 and 21% above the average for the South East. It is the 6th most expensive of 64 areas in the South East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+6.1%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Guildford
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 | £1,197 | £47,880 | £35,910 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,557 | £62,280 | £46,710 |
The median full-time salary for Guildford residents is £46,801 (2025, £23.45 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 31% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Guildford
How rents in Guildford have changed
Average rent is +34.0% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,754 | £1,557 |
| 2025 | £1,659 | £1,471 |
| 2024 | £1,574 | £1,391 |
| 2023 | £1,490 | £1,314 |
| 2022 | £1,474 | £1,304 |
| 2021 | £1,406 | £1,248 |
| 2020 | £1,407 | £1,251 |
| 2019 | £1,433 | £1,275 |
| 2018 | £1,414 | £1,262 |
| 2017 | £1,351 | £1,207 |
| 2016 | £1,309 | £1,173 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol | South West | £1,230 | £1,551 | £1,769 | +5.7% |
| 2 | Sutton | London | £1,248 | £1,567 | £1,916 | +3.0% |
| 3 | Windsor and Maidenhead | South East | £1,245 | £1,568 | £1,918 | +0.7% |
| 4 | Havering | London | £1,218 | £1,544 | £1,851 | +0.9% |
| 5 | Croydon | London | £1,267 | £1,577 | £1,864 | +3.4% |
| 6 | Bath and North East Somerset | South West | £1,212 | £1,530 | £1,820 | +7.5% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Guildford?
The average private rent in Guildford was £1,754 a month in September 2026, up 5.7% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,197 and a two-bedroom £1,557 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Guildford?
To keep a £1,197 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £47,880 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £35,910. The median full-time salary for residents is £46,801.
Is Guildford expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Guildford costs £1,557 a month, 21% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 242 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.