Average rent in Lewes
The average private rent in Lewes was £1,343 a month in September 2026, +5.4% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,226, 5% below the UK average of £1,287 and 5% below the average for the South East. It is the 29th cheapest of 64 areas in the South East. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+5.6%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Lewes
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 | £930 | £37,200 | £27,900 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,226 | £49,040 | £36,780 |
The median full-time salary for Lewes residents is £40,807 (2025, £21.55 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 27% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Lewes
How rents in Lewes have changed
Average rent is +37.6% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,343 | £1,226 |
| 2025 | £1,273 | £1,162 |
| 2024 | £1,225 | £1,117 |
| 2023 | £1,198 | £1,091 |
| 2022 | £1,135 | £1,035 |
| 2021 | £1,085 | £991 |
| 2020 | £1,028 | £941 |
| 2019 | £1,012 | £927 |
| 2018 | £1,017 | £932 |
| 2017 | £1,003 | £920 |
| 2016 | £976 | £896 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cherwell | South East | £984 | £1,229 | £1,485 | +3.2% |
| 2 | Chichester | South East | £953 | £1,229 | £1,517 | +3.5% |
| 3 | Thurrock | East of England | £946 | £1,222 | £1,484 | +5.3% |
| 4 | West Berkshire | South East | £948 | £1,232 | £1,532 | +6.2% |
| 5 | Milton Keynes | South East | £979 | £1,219 | £1,455 | +4.0% |
| 6 | West Oxfordshire | South East | £961 | £1,218 | £1,531 | +3.6% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Lewes?
The average private rent in Lewes was £1,343 a month in September 2026, up 5.4% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £930 and a two-bedroom £1,226 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Lewes?
To keep a £930 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £37,200 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £27,900. The median full-time salary for residents is £40,807.
Is Lewes expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Lewes costs £1,226 a month, 5% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 203 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.