Average Rent in Colchester
As of January 2026, the average rent in Colchester is £1,215/month — 9% below the England average of £1,332. Rents have changed by +6.6% over the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £1,215/month (9% below the England average of £1,332)
- Rents are up +6.6% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £831/month
- LHA shortfall of £208/month for a 1-bed — housing benefit unlikely to cover market rent
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Colchester breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £1,215 | +6.6% |
| 1 bedroom | £831 | +7.2% |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,078 | +6.8% |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,318 | +6.5% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £1,829 | +5.6% |
Rent by property type
Average rents in Colchester also vary by property type. Flats and maisonettes tend to be cheaper than detached houses.
| Property type | Avg. rent |
|---|---|
| Detached | £1,590 |
| Semi-detached | £1,285 |
| Terraced | £1,246 |
| Flat / maisonette | £970 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Colchester area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £400 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £623 | £831 | +£208 |
| 2 bed | £793 | £1,078 | +£285 |
| 3 bed | £972 | £1,318 | +£346 |
| 4 bed | £1,247 | £1,829 | +£582 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Colchester: what to know
Colchester is in the East of England region of England. The average rent of £1,215 per month is 9% below the England average of £1,332. This is 4% below the East of England regional average of £1,269.
Rents in Colchester have risen +6.6% over the past year, faster 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 £831, but the LHA rate for the Colchester BRMA is £623 \u2014 a shortfall of £208/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 Colchester, 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 Colchester?
The average rent in Colchester is £1,215 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £831, a 2-bed £1,078, a 3-bed £1,318.
Is rent in Colchester going up or down?
Rents in Colchester have increased by +6.6% over the past year. This is above the national average rate of increase.
How does rent in Colchester compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Colchester (£831) is £208 above the LHA rate of £623 for the Colchester 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
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