Average Rent in Cambridge
As of January 2026, the average rent in Cambridge is £1,797/month — 35% above the England average of £1,332. Rents have changed by +2.2% over the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £1,797/month (35% above the England average of £1,332)
- Rents are up +2.2% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £1,249/month
- LHA shortfall of £351/month for a 1-bed — housing benefit unlikely to cover market rent
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Cambridge breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £1,797 | +2.2% |
| 1 bedroom | £1,249 | +2.7% |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,604 | +2.4% |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,895 | +2.4% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £2,659 | +1.6% |
Rent by property type
Average rents in Cambridge also vary by property type. Flats and maisonettes tend to be cheaper than detached houses.
| Property type | Avg. rent |
|---|---|
| Detached | £2,338 |
| Semi-detached | £1,997 |
| Terraced | £1,825 |
| Flat / maisonette | £1,448 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Cambridge area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £525 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £898 | £1,249 | +£351 |
| 2 bed | £947 | £1,604 | +£657 |
| 3 bed | £1,122 | £1,895 | +£773 |
| 4 bed | £1,446 | £2,659 | +£1,213 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Cambridge: what to know
Cambridge is in the East of England region of England. The average rent of £1,797 per month is 35% above the England average of £1,332. This is 42% above the East of England regional average of £1,269.
Rents in Cambridge have risen +2.2% over the past year, slower than the East of England average of +5.2%.
There's a significant gap between market rents and Local Housing Allowance in this area. A 1-bed here averages £1,249, but the LHA rate for the Cambridge BRMA is £898 \u2014 a shortfall of £351/month. Renters on housing benefit may need to top up from other income or look for properties below the local average.
In higher-rent areas like Cambridge, landlords often rely on credit checks and referencing to vet tenants. Building a visible credit history — including through rent reporting — can help you stand out during the application process.
FAQs
What is the average rent in Cambridge?
The average rent in Cambridge is £1,797 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £1,249, a 2-bed £1,604, a 3-bed £1,895.
Is rent in Cambridge going up or down?
Rents in Cambridge have increased by +2.2% over the past year. This is broadly in line with national trends.
How does rent in Cambridge compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Cambridge (£1,249) is £351 above the LHA rate of £898 for the Cambridge area. This is a significant gap — renters on housing benefit would likely need to cover the difference or look for below-market options.
Related topics
Other areas in East of England
Know your rent, build your credit
See how your rent compares — then put it to work for your credit history.
How rent reporting worksNo credit check required. UK residents only. Terms apply.