Average rent in Stevenage
The average private rent in Stevenage was £1,445 a month in September 2026, +4.7% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,325, 3% above the UK average of £1,287 and 15% above the average for the East of England. It is the 13th most expensive of 45 areas in the East of England. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+4.9%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Stevenage
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 | £1,031 | £41,240 | £30,930 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,325 | £53,000 | £39,750 |
The median full-time salary for Stevenage residents is £42,200 (2025, £23.08 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 29% of that before tax, within the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Stevenage
How rents in Stevenage have changed
Average rent is +57.1% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,445 | £1,325 |
| 2025 | £1,381 | £1,267 |
| 2024 | £1,306 | £1,195 |
| 2023 | £1,170 | £1,072 |
| 2022 | £1,096 | £1,005 |
| 2021 | £1,053 | £968 |
| 2020 | £1,015 | £935 |
| 2019 | £1,005 | £927 |
| 2018 | £978 | £904 |
| 2017 | £985 | £911 |
| 2016 | £920 | £852 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Winchester | South East | £1,021 | £1,325 | £1,633 | +4.8% |
| 2 | Lothian | Scotland | £1,036 | £1,324 | £1,700 | +1.0% |
| 3 | Buckinghamshire | South East | £1,043 | £1,321 | £1,616 | +5.8% |
| 4 | Tonbridge and Malling | South East | £1,039 | £1,343 | £1,639 | +3.6% |
| 5 | South Oxfordshire | South East | £1,053 | £1,307 | £1,634 | +5.2% |
| 6 | Hart | South East | £1,025 | £1,306 | £1,586 | +3.2% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Stevenage?
The average private rent in Stevenage was £1,445 a month in September 2026, up 4.7% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,031 and a two-bedroom £1,325 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Stevenage?
To keep a £1,031 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £41,240 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £30,930. The median full-time salary for residents is £42,200.
Is Stevenage expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Stevenage costs £1,325 a month, 3% above the UK average of £1,287.
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.