Average Rent in Bedford
As of January 2026, the average rent in Bedford is £1,153/month — 13% below the England average of £1,332. Rents have changed by +5.3% over the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £1,153/month (13% below the England average of £1,332)
- Rents are up +5.3% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £786/month
- Market rents exceed LHA by £138/month for a 1-bed
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Bedford breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £1,153 | +5.3% |
| 1 bedroom | £786 | +6.0% |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,011 | +5.7% |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,236 | +5.3% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £1,783 | +4.5% |
Rent by property type
Average rents in Bedford also vary by property type. Flats and maisonettes tend to be cheaper than detached houses.
| Property type | Avg. rent |
|---|---|
| Detached | £1,574 |
| Semi-detached | £1,289 |
| Terraced | £1,128 |
| Flat / maisonette | £900 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Bedford area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £449 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £648 | £786 | +£138 |
| 2 bed | £823 | £1,011 | +£188 |
| 3 bed | £997 | £1,236 | +£239 |
| 4 bed | £1,296 | £1,783 | +£487 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Bedford: what to know
Bedford is in the East of England region of England. The average rent of £1,153 per month is 13% below the England average of £1,332. This is 9% below the East of England regional average of £1,269.
Rents in Bedford have risen +5.3% over the past year, broadly in line with the East of England average of +5.2%.
The Local Housing Allowance for the Bedford area is £648/month for a 1-bed, slightly below the market average of £786. Renters on housing benefit may face a modest shortfall of £138/month.
If you’re looking to rent in Bedford, building a strong credit profile can help you pass tenant referencing checks and access a wider range of properties. Reporting your rent payments to credit agencies is one way to start building that history.
FAQs
What is the average rent in Bedford?
The average rent in Bedford is £1,153 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £786, a 2-bed £1,011, a 3-bed £1,236.
Is rent in Bedford going up or down?
Rents in Bedford have increased by +5.3% over the past year. This is above the national average rate of increase.
How does rent in Bedford compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Bedford (£786) is £138 above the LHA rate of £648 for the Bedford area. This means renters on housing benefit may face a shortfall.
Related topics
Other areas in East of England
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