Average rent in Merton
The average private rent in Merton was £2,181 a month in September 2026, +5.5% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £2,032, 58% above the UK average of £1,287 and 9% below the average for London. It is the 14th most expensive of 32 areas in London. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+6.0%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Merton
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 | £1,645 | £65,800 | £49,350 |
| 2 bedrooms | £2,032 | £81,280 | £60,960 |
The median full-time salary for Merton residents is £50,844 (2025, £26.03 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 39% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Merton
How rents in Merton have changed
Average rent is +40.3% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £2,181 | £2,032 |
| 2025 | £2,066 | £1,923 |
| 2024 | £1,956 | £1,814 |
| 2023 | £1,812 | £1,681 |
| 2022 | £1,723 | £1,601 |
| 2021 | £1,615 | £1,504 |
| 2020 | £1,639 | £1,530 |
| 2019 | £1,570 | £1,469 |
| 2018 | £1,552 | £1,459 |
| 2017 | £1,542 | £1,450 |
| 2016 | £1,555 | £1,465 |
Areas with similar rents
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Merton?
The average private rent in Merton was £2,181 a month in September 2026, up 5.5% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,645 and a two-bedroom £2,032 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Merton?
To keep a £1,645 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £65,800 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £49,350. The median full-time salary for residents is £50,844.
Is Merton expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Merton costs £2,032 a month, 58% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 269 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.