Average rent in Hertsmere
The average private rent in Hertsmere was £1,846 a month in September 2026, +4.0% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,619, 26% above the UK average of £1,287 and 40% above the average for the East of England. It is the 2nd most expensive of 45 areas in the East of England. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+4.4%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Hertsmere
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 | £1,269 | £50,760 | £38,070 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,619 | £64,760 | £48,570 |
The median full-time salary for Hertsmere residents is £43,813 (2025, £23.17 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 35% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Hertsmere
How rents in Hertsmere have changed
Average rent is +38.1% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,846 | £1,619 |
| 2025 | £1,775 | £1,559 |
| 2024 | £1,666 | £1,456 |
| 2023 | £1,558 | £1,360 |
| 2022 | £1,476 | £1,290 |
| 2021 | £1,431 | £1,255 |
| 2020 | £1,412 | £1,243 |
| 2019 | £1,387 | £1,224 |
| 2018 | £1,389 | £1,228 |
| 2017 | £1,381 | £1,221 |
| 2016 | £1,337 | £1,184 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cambridge | East of England | £1,255 | £1,613 | £1,908 | +1.9% |
| 2 | Spelthorne | South East | £1,252 | £1,609 | £1,873 | +7.1% |
| 3 | St Albans | East of England | £1,272 | £1,635 | £2,023 | +2.7% |
| 4 | Watford | East of England | £1,268 | £1,602 | £1,830 | +2.1% |
| 5 | Hillingdon | London | £1,260 | £1,598 | £1,929 | +3.4% |
| 6 | Sevenoaks | South East | £1,278 | £1,596 | £1,948 | +6.9% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Hertsmere?
The average private rent in Hertsmere was £1,846 a month in September 2026, up 4.0% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,269 and a two-bedroom £1,619 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Hertsmere?
To keep a £1,269 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £50,760 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £38,070. The median full-time salary for residents is £43,813.
Is Hertsmere expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Hertsmere costs £1,619 a month, 26% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 253 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.