Average Rent in Harlow
As of January 2026, the average rent in Harlow is £1,503/month — 13% above the England average of £1,332. Rents are rising quickly, up +7.8% in the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £1,503/month (13% above the England average of £1,332)
- Rents rising fast: +7.8% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £1,008/month
- LHA shortfall of £200/month for a 1-bed — housing benefit unlikely to cover market rent
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Harlow breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £1,503 | +7.8% |
| 1 bedroom | £1,008 | +8.6% |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,309 | +8.2% |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,552 | +8.0% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £2,185 | +7.1% |
Rent by property type
Average rents in Harlow also vary by property type. Flats and maisonettes tend to be cheaper than detached houses.
| Property type | Avg. rent |
|---|---|
| Detached | £2,161 |
| Semi-detached | £1,662 |
| Terraced | £1,488 |
| Flat / maisonette | £1,113 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Harlow & Stortford area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £450 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £808 | £1,008 | +£200 |
| 2 bed | £1,022 | £1,309 | +£287 |
| 3 bed | £1,207 | £1,552 | +£345 |
| 4 bed | £1,371 | £2,185 | +£814 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Harlow: what to know
Harlow is in the East of England region of England. The average rent of £1,503 per month is 13% above the England average of £1,332. This is 18% above the East of England regional average of £1,269.
Rents in Harlow are rising quickly — up +7.8% 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 £1,008, but the LHA rate for the Harlow & Stortford BRMA is £808 \u2014 a shortfall of £200/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 Harlow, 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 Harlow?
The average rent in Harlow is £1,503 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £1,008, a 2-bed £1,309, a 3-bed £1,552.
Is rent in Harlow going up or down?
Rents in Harlow have increased by +7.8% over the past year. This is well above the national average rate of increase, putting extra pressure on renters.
How does rent in Harlow compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Harlow (£1,008) is £200 above the LHA rate of £808 for the Harlow & Stortford 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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