Average rent in Harlow
The average private rent in Harlow was £1,531 a month in September 2026, +4.4% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,335, 4% above the UK average of £1,287 and 16% above the average for the East of England. It is the 12th most expensive of 45 areas in the East of England. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+4.8%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Harlow
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 | £1,028 | £41,120 | £30,840 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,335 | £53,400 | £40,050 |
The median full-time salary for Harlow residents is £38,380 (2025, £18.71 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 32% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Harlow
How rents in Harlow have changed
Average rent is +58.0% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,531 | £1,335 |
| 2025 | £1,467 | £1,278 |
| 2024 | £1,339 | £1,162 |
| 2023 | £1,234 | £1,070 |
| 2022 | £1,192 | £1,036 |
| 2021 | £1,158 | £1,008 |
| 2020 | £1,105 | £963 |
| 2019 | £1,085 | £946 |
| 2018 | £1,068 | £933 |
| 2017 | £1,029 | £899 |
| 2016 | £969 | £849 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tonbridge and Malling | South East | £1,039 | £1,343 | £1,639 | +3.6% |
| 2 | Winchester | South East | £1,021 | £1,325 | £1,633 | +4.8% |
| 3 | Lothian | Scotland | £1,036 | £1,324 | £1,700 | +1.0% |
| 4 | Wokingham | South East | £1,056 | £1,348 | £1,650 | +0.7% |
| 5 | Buckinghamshire | South East | £1,043 | £1,321 | £1,616 | +5.8% |
| 6 | Bracknell Forest | South East | £1,080 | £1,362 | £1,666 | +2.5% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Harlow?
The average private rent in Harlow was £1,531 a month in September 2026, up 4.4% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,028 and a two-bedroom £1,335 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Harlow?
To keep a £1,028 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £41,120 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £30,840. The median full-time salary for residents is £38,380.
Is Harlow expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Harlow costs £1,335 a month, 4% above the UK average of £1,287.
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.