Average rent in Hastings
The average private rent in Hastings was £1,008 a month in September 2026, +1.7% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £898, 30% below the UK average of £1,287 and 30% below the average for the South East. It is the 2nd cheapest of 64 areas in the South East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+1.9%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Hastings
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 | £697 | £27,880 | £20,910 |
| 2 bedrooms | £898 | £35,920 | £26,940 |
The median full-time salary for Hastings residents is £34,714 (2025, £17.41 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 24% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Hastings
How rents in Hastings have changed
Average rent is +54.4% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,008 | £898 |
| 2025 | £991 | £882 |
| 2024 | £945 | £839 |
| 2023 | £903 | £800 |
| 2022 | £853 | £757 |
| 2021 | £808 | £719 |
| 2020 | £774 | £690 |
| 2019 | £752 | £671 |
| 2018 | £727 | £650 |
| 2017 | £708 | £634 |
| 2016 | £653 | £585 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Broadland | East of England | £694 | £897 | £1,083 | +4.1% |
| 2 | Peterborough | East of England | £711 | £896 | £1,082 | +4.9% |
| 3 | Rushcliffe | East Midlands | £726 | £901 | £1,138 | +2.8% |
| 4 | South Norfolk | East of England | £698 | £893 | £1,112 | +3.3% |
| 5 | East Devon | South West | £691 | £904 | £1,133 | +6.6% |
| 6 | Bromsgrove | West Midlands | £721 | £904 | £1,098 | +2.6% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Hastings?
The average private rent in Hastings was £1,008 a month in September 2026, up 1.7% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £697 and a two-bedroom £898 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Hastings?
To keep a £697 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £27,880 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £20,910. The median full-time salary for residents is £34,714.
Is Hastings expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Hastings costs £898 a month, 30% below the UK average of £1,287.
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.