Average Rent in Reading
As of January 2026, the average rent in Reading is £1,583/month — 19% above the England average of £1,332. Rents have changed by +4.3% over the past year.
Key figures
- Average rent: £1,583/month (19% above the England average of £1,332)
- Rents are up +4.3% year-on-year
- 1-bed average: £1,122/month
- LHA shortfall of £274/month for a 1-bed — housing benefit unlikely to cover market rent
Rent by bedroom type
Here's how average monthly rent in Reading breaks down by number of bedrooms, with year-on-year change for each.
| Type | Avg. rent | YoY change |
|---|---|---|
| All properties | £1,583 | +4.3% |
| 1 bedroom | £1,122 | +4.8% |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,400 | +4.4% |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,677 | +4.3% |
| 4+ bedrooms | £2,377 | +3.5% |
Rent by property type
Average rents in Reading also vary by property type. Flats and maisonettes tend to be cheaper than detached houses.
| Property type | Avg. rent |
|---|---|
| Detached | £2,190 |
| Semi-detached | £1,762 |
| Terraced | £1,614 |
| Flat / maisonette | £1,280 |
Local Housing Allowance comparison
The Local Housing Allowance (LHA) sets the maximum housing benefit for renters in the Reading area (April 2024 to March 2025). Here's how it compares to actual market rents.
| Size | LHA rate | Market rent | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Shared | £390 | — | — |
| 1 bed | £848 | £1,122 | +£274 |
| 2 bed | £1,092 | £1,400 | +£308 |
| 3 bed | £1,296 | £1,677 | +£381 |
| 4 bed | £1,649 | £2,377 | +£728 |
Where market rent exceeds the LHA rate, renters on housing benefit may need to cover the difference themselves.
Renting in Reading: what to know
Reading is in the South East region of England. The average rent of £1,583 per month is 19% above the England average of £1,332. This is 15% above the South East regional average of £1,379.
Rents in Reading have risen +4.3% over the past year, broadly in line with the South East average of +3.8%.
There's a significant gap between market rents and Local Housing Allowance in this area. A 1-bed here averages £1,122, but the LHA rate for the Reading BRMA is £848 \u2014 a shortfall of £274/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 Reading, 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 Reading?
The average rent in Reading is £1,583 per month as of January 2026. This covers all property sizes. A 1-bed averages £1,122, a 2-bed £1,400, a 3-bed £1,677.
Is rent in Reading going up or down?
Rents in Reading have increased by +4.3% over the past year. This is broadly in line with national trends.
How does rent in Reading compare to Local Housing Allowance?
The average 1-bed rent in Reading (£1,122) is £274 above the LHA rate of £848 for the Reading 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 South East
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