Average Rent in Chelmsford
As of January 2026, the average rent in Chelmsford is £1,441/month — 8% above the England average of £1,332. Rents are rising quickly, up +8.7% in the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £1,441/month (8% above the England average of £1,332)
- Rents rising fast: +8.7% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £1,060/month
- LHA shortfall of £267/month for a 1-bed — housing benefit unlikely to cover market rent
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Chelmsford breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £1,441 | +8.7% |
| 1 bedroom | £1,060 | +9.3% |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,293 | +8.9% |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,543 | +8.7% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £2,233 | +7.8% |
Rent by property type
Average rents in Chelmsford also vary by property type. Flats and maisonettes tend to be cheaper than detached houses.
| Property type | Avg. rent |
|---|---|
| Detached | £1,999 |
| Semi-detached | £1,521 |
| Terraced | £1,370 |
| Flat / maisonette | £1,213 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Chelmsford area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £425 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £793 | £1,060 | +£267 |
| 2 bed | £947 | £1,293 | +£346 |
| 3 bed | £1,197 | £1,543 | +£346 |
| 4 bed | £1,446 | £2,233 | +£787 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Chelmsford: what to know
Chelmsford is in the East of England region of England. The average rent of £1,441 per month is 8% above the England average of £1,332. This is 14% above the East of England regional average of £1,269.
Rents in Chelmsford are rising quickly — up +8.7% over the past year, faster than the East of England average of +5.2%. For renters already in the area, this makes staying put more attractive than moving — and for newcomers, it highlights the importance of acting quickly when a suitable property appears.
There's a significant gap between market rents and Local Housing Allowance in this area. A 1-bed here averages £1,060, but the LHA rate for the Chelmsford BRMA is £793 \u2014 a shortfall of £267/month. Renters on housing benefit may need to top up from other income or look for properties below the local average.
If you’re looking to rent in Chelmsford, 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 Chelmsford?
The average rent in Chelmsford is £1,441 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £1,060, a 2-bed £1,293, a 3-bed £1,543.
Is rent in Chelmsford going up or down?
Rents in Chelmsford have increased by +8.7% over the past year. This is well above the national average rate of increase, putting extra pressure on renters.
How does rent in Chelmsford compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Chelmsford (£1,060) is £267 above the LHA rate of £793 for the Chelmsford 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.