Average rent in Westminster
The average private rent in Westminster was £3,209 a month in September 2026, -0.4% on a year earlier. A two-bedroom home costs £3,320, 158% above the UK average of £1,287 and 48% above the average for London. It is the 2nd most expensive of 32 areas in London. Over the past year, 1 bed homes rose fastest (+0.1%).
Rent by number of bedrooms
Average monthly private rent (pcm).
Salary needed to rent in Westminster
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 | £2,557 | £102,280 | £76,710 |
| 2 bedrooms | £3,320 | £132,800 | £99,600 |
The median full-time salary for Westminster residents is £52,610 (2025, £27.07 an hour). A one-bedroom at the average rent takes 58% of that before tax, above the 30% guideline.
Renting vs buying in Westminster
How rents in Westminster have changed
Average rent is +28.4% since 2016.
| Year | Average rent | 2 bed |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | £3,209 | £3,320 |
| 2025 | £3,221 | £3,322 |
| 2024 | £3,100 | £3,191 |
| 2023 | £2,900 | £2,990 |
| 2022 | £2,449 | £2,526 |
| 2021 | £2,361 | £2,438 |
| 2020 | £2,515 | £2,603 |
| 2019 | £2,461 | £2,551 |
| 2018 | £2,417 | £2,510 |
| 2017 | £2,432 | £2,525 |
| 2016 | £2,499 | £2,602 |
Areas with similar rents
| # | Area | Region | 1 bed | 2 bed | 3 bed | Change (12m) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kensington and Chelsea | London | £2,674 | £3,475 | £4,130 | +3.0% |
| 2 | Islington | London | £2,189 | £2,712 | £3,022 | +6.6% |
| 3 | Hammersmith and Fulham | London | £2,025 | £2,656 | £3,031 | +5.0% |
| 4 | Camden | London | £2,063 | £2,634 | £3,071 | +1.4% |
| 5 | Hackney | London | £2,007 | £2,498 | £2,856 | +3.9% |
| 6 | Wandsworth | London | £1,943 | £2,469 | £2,818 | +4.1% |
Frequently asked questions
What is the average rent in Westminster?
The average private rent in Westminster was £3,209 a month in September 2026, down 0.4% on a year earlier. A one-bedroom averaged £2,557 and a two-bedroom £3,320 (ONS Price Index of Private Rents).
What salary do you need to rent in Westminster?
To keep a £2,557 one-bedroom rent within 30% of gross income you need about £102,280 a year. Letting agents usually ask for an annual income of 30 times the monthly rent, which is £76,710. The median full-time salary for residents is £52,610.
Is Westminster expensive to rent compared with the rest of the UK?
A two-bedroom in Westminster costs £3,320 a month, 158% above the UK average of £1,287. It ranks 281 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.