Average rent in Islington
The average private rent in Islington was £2,884 a month in September 2026, +6.6% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £2,712, 111% above the UK average of £1,287 and 21% above the average for London. It is the 3rd most expensive of 32 areas in London. Over the past year, 1 bed homes rose fastest (+7.1%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Islington
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 | £2,189 | £87,560 | £65,670 |
| 2 bedrooms | £2,712 | £108,480 | £81,360 |
The median full-time salary for Islington residents is £50,692 (2025, £26.43 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 52% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Islington
How rents in Islington have changed
Average rent is +44.0% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £2,884 | £2,712 |
| 2025 | £2,705 | £2,538 |
| 2024 | £2,583 | £2,416 |
| 2023 | £2,287 | £2,138 |
| 2022 | £2,025 | £1,896 |
| 2021 | £1,936 | £1,818 |
| 2020 | £2,116 | £1,994 |
| 2019 | £2,028 | £1,914 |
| 2018 | £2,015 | £1,908 |
| 2017 | £2,001 | £1,897 |
| 2016 | £2,003 | £1,903 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hammersmith and Fulham | London | £2,025 | £2,656 | £3,031 | +5.0% |
| 2 | Camden | London | £2,063 | £2,634 | £3,071 | +1.4% |
| 3 | Hackney | London | £2,007 | £2,498 | £2,856 | +3.9% |
| 4 | Wandsworth | London | £1,943 | £2,469 | £2,818 | +4.1% |
| 5 | Tower Hamlets | London | £1,998 | £2,427 | £2,760 | +3.8% |
| 6 | Southwark | London | £1,907 | £2,387 | £2,779 | +7.3% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Islington?
The average private rent in Islington was £2,884 a month in September 2026, up 6.6% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £2,189 and a two-bedroom £2,712 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Islington?
To keep a £2,189 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £87,560 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £65,670. The median full-time salary for residents is £50,692.
Is Islington expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Islington costs £2,712 a month, 111% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 280 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.