Average rent in Waltham Forest
The average private rent in Waltham Forest was £1,772 a month in September 2026, +2.4% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £1,732, 35% above the UK average of £1,287 and 23% below the average for London. It is the 10th cheapest of 32 areas in London. Over the past year, 3 bed homes rose fastest (+2.8%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Waltham Forest
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 | £1,407 | £56,280 | £42,210 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,732 | £69,280 | £51,960 |
The median full-time salary for Waltham Forest residents is £45,350 (2025, £23.76 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 37% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Waltham Forest
How rents in Waltham Forest have changed
Average rent is +38.9% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £1,772 | £1,732 |
| 2025 | £1,731 | £1,691 |
| 2024 | £1,642 | £1,601 |
| 2023 | £1,504 | £1,468 |
| 2022 | £1,415 | £1,384 |
| 2021 | £1,391 | £1,363 |
| 2020 | £1,371 | £1,346 |
| 2019 | £1,345 | £1,323 |
| 2018 | £1,327 | £1,309 |
| 2017 | £1,319 | £1,304 |
| 2016 | £1,276 | £1,263 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Barking and Dagenham | London | £1,378 | £1,723 | £1,902 | +2.5% |
| 2 | Harrow | London | £1,395 | £1,718 | £2,069 | +2.8% |
| 3 | Kingston upon Thames | London | £1,386 | £1,765 | £2,167 | -0.5% |
| 4 | Enfield | London | £1,426 | £1,770 | £2,106 | +5.4% |
| 5 | Redbridge | London | £1,373 | £1,689 | £1,992 | +2.1% |
| 6 | Lewisham | London | £1,459 | £1,793 | £2,062 | +2.1% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Waltham Forest?
The average private rent in Waltham Forest was £1,772 a month in September 2026, up 2.4% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £1,407 and a two-bedroom £1,732 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Waltham Forest?
To keep a £1,407 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £56,280 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £42,210. The median full-time salary for residents is £45,350.
Is Waltham Forest expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Waltham Forest costs £1,732 a month, 35% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 260 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.