Average rent in Southend-on-Sea
The average private rent in Southend-on-Sea was £1,316 a month in September 2026, +5.1% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,124, 13% below the UK average of £1,287 and 3% below the average for the East of England. It is the 22nd most expensive of 45 areas in the East of England. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+5.4%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Southend-on-Sea
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 | £884 | £35,360 | £26,520 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,124 | £44,960 | £33,720 |
The median full-time salary for Southend-on-Sea residents is £41,554 (2025, £20.44 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 26% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Southend-on-Sea
How rents in Southend-on-Sea have changed
Average rent is +45.9% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,316 | £1,124 |
| 2025 | £1,252 | £1,071 |
| 2024 | £1,168 | £995 |
| 2023 | £1,104 | £940 |
| 2022 | £1,065 | £908 |
| 2021 | £1,020 | £873 |
| 2020 | £993 | £853 |
| 2019 | £980 | £843 |
| 2018 | £964 | £831 |
| 2017 | £934 | £806 |
| 2016 | £902 | £779 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Luton | East of England | £913 | £1,122 | £1,348 | +3.7% |
| 2 | Exeter | South West | £914 | £1,130 | £1,362 | +0.2% |
| 3 | Southampton | South East | £883 | £1,117 | £1,363 | +3.7% |
| 4 | Eastleigh | South East | £864 | £1,115 | £1,368 | +3.7% |
| 5 | New Forest | South East | £868 | £1,138 | £1,398 | +2.0% |
| 6 | Canterbury | South East | £880 | £1,138 | £1,377 | +5.8% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Southend-on-Sea?
The average private rent in Southend-on-Sea was £1,316 a month in September 2026, up 5.1% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £884 and a two-bedroom £1,124 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Southend-on-Sea?
To keep a £884 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £35,360 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £26,520. The median full-time salary for residents is £41,554.
Is Southend-on-Sea expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Southend-on-Sea costs £1,124 a month, 13% below the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 183 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.