Average rent in Ipswich
The average private rent in Ipswich was £1,002 a month in September 2026, +4.5% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £921, 28% below the UK average of £1,287 and 20% below the average for the East of England. It is the 11th cheapest of 45 areas in the East of England. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+5.1%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Ipswich
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 | £748 | £29,920 | £22,440 |
| 2 bedrooms | £921 | £36,840 | £27,630 |
The median full-time salary for Ipswich residents is £36,660 (2025, £17.37 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 24% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Ipswich
How rents in Ipswich have changed
Average rent is +58.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,002 | £921 |
| 2025 | £958 | £881 |
| 2024 | £905 | £829 |
| 2023 | £833 | £762 |
| 2022 | £760 | £698 |
| 2021 | £720 | £662 |
| 2020 | £713 | £656 |
| 2019 | £707 | £651 |
| 2018 | £683 | £630 |
| 2017 | £669 | £617 |
| 2016 | £633 | £586 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cheshire West and Chester | North West | £731 | £922 | £1,132 | +6.7% |
| 2 | Harborough | East Midlands | £719 | £919 | £1,127 | +4.5% |
| 3 | Somerset | South West | £695 | £918 | £1,142 | +6.3% |
| 4 | Nottingham | East Midlands | £735 | £916 | £1,054 | +1.7% |
| 5 | Worcester | West Midlands | £716 | £915 | £1,095 | +6.1% |
| 6 | Coventry | West Midlands | £760 | £915 | £1,069 | +2.3% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Ipswich?
The average private rent in Ipswich was £1,002 a month in September 2026, up 4.5% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £748 and a two-bedroom £921 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Ipswich?
To keep a £748 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £29,920 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £22,440. The median full-time salary for residents is £36,660.
Is Ipswich expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Ipswich costs £921 a month, 28% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 139 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.