The Cheapest Places to Rent in London
When it comes to renting in London, everyone wants to know: where are the cheapest places to rent in London? Finding a rental in the city can be tough, but it doesn’t have to be. Some boroughs and postcodes offer more affordable options than others.
If you’re thinking about renting in the UK’s capital, be sure to check out our top 10 most affordable areas to rent in London!
Renting in the UK’s capital
It’s no surprise that London is the most expensive place to rent in the UK, with an average monthly rent of £2,223 (according to Dataloft Rental Market Analytics).
By looking at data from all London Boroughs, we’ve found the 10 cheapest areas based on the average monthly rent for all types of properties over the 12 months leading up to March 2024. We’ve also included the overall average rent for London, with all information coming from the Dataloft Rental Market Analytics dataset.
In partnership with Dataloft, we’ve created a list of the top 10 most affordable places to rent in London:
| London Borough | Average monthly rent |
| Sutton, South London | £1,543 |
| Bexley, Southeast London | £1,574 |
| Croydon, South London | £1,584 |
| Havering, East London | £1,597 |
| Barking and Dagenham, East London | £1,647 |
| Hillingdon, West London | £1,658 |
| Redbridge, Northeast London | £1,718 |
| Bromley, Southeast London | £1,720 |
| Enfield, North London | £1,760 |
| Lewisham, Southeast London | £1,766 |
Bear in mind this just looks at rental prices. So, if you’re looking to rent in London, you’ll also need to consider the cost of living.
In London, without rent included, the average cost of living for a family of four per August 2024 is £3,780 a month. A single person is looking at around £1084 – without rent. (Numbeo)
The median monthly pay for full-time employees in London as of July 2024 is approximately £2,837. This figure varies across different boroughs, with inner London areas generally having higher median pay compared to outer London. For instance, median pay in Enfield is about £2,381, while in Wandsworth it is around £3,665
As a rule of thumb, rent is considered too high if it exceeds 30% of your gross income. With the high cost of living in London, it’s advisable to keep your rent within this limit to ensure you can afford other expenses.
Which side of London is the cheapest to rent?
London’s eastern and southern regions tend to offer more affordable rental options compared to the central and western parts. Areas like Barking and Dagenham, Bexley, and Havering are known for their lower rental costs.
Exploring affordable boroughs in London
Here we’re taking a closer look at some of the more affordable boroughs, with their average monthly rent and details on what it’s like to live there. Including things to do, transport links, the community, and safety.
1. Sutton – £1,543 avg. monthly rent
Sutton is a popular district in South London, just 10 miles from central London. It’s often featured in the top five safest boroughs in the capital. Here, you will find many new-build houses and apartments mixed in with traditional and period homes. There is also plenty of green space to find like Nonsuch Park. It’s also just 45 miles from the popular seaside town of Brighton. London Waterloo is around 45-55 minutes by train from Sutton Station via Clapham Junction.
2. Bexley – £1,574 avg. monthly rent
Bexley is known for its suburban charm and friendly community. The low crime rate makes it a desirable place to live especially for families looking for security and highly rated schools. To get to London Waterloo it is around 40 to 50 minutes by train from Bexleyheath Station. Popular sights are Danson Park, Hall Place and Gardens with its beautiful gardens and Red House.
3. Croydon – £1,584 avg. monthly rent
Property prices are reasonably competitive in Croydon compared to some other neighbourhoods in the capital, and there are excellent transport options with services to central London in just 30 to 40 minutes. New-build homes dominate the housing landscape, with many shiny new high-rises offering amenities popular with home movers, like gyms and concierge services.
4. Havering – £1,597 avg. monthly rent
Havering offers a strong community feel, making it a popular choice for families. The borough has several green spaces like Havering Country Park and cultural spots include Queen’s Theatre, which hosts a variety of performances, and the historic Romford Market, one of the oldest in the area. The transport links in Havering are generally speaking good. From Romford Station, it is a 45 to 55-minute journey to London Waterloo via Stratford. The local bus network is also convenient, with easy access to nearby areas.
5. Barking and Dagenham – £1,647 avg. monthly rent
Barking and Dagenham is a diverse and rapidly developing area. It offers rich historical sites like the beautiful ruins of Barking Abbey. The transport links are excellent, Barking Station offers a 40 to 50-minute journey to London Waterloo. While some areas have higher crime rates, the overall safety in the borough is improving.
6. Hillingdon – £1,658 avg. monthly rent
Hillingdon is home to attractions like Ruislip Lido, which features a beach and pretty forest walks. If you’re after some retail therapy, then Uxbridge Shopping Centre is a great place to explore. Transport to London Waterloo is accessible, with Uxbridge Station offering a 50-to-60-minute journey via Paddington. Hillingdon is generally safe, with low crime rates, and is known for its well-regarded schools, making it a desirable place for families to settle.
7. Redbridge – £1,718 avg. monthly rent
The Redbridge borough offers a mix of cultural and outdoor attractions. In Valentines Park, you can wander through beautiful gardens and the Ilford Exchange is a popular shopping destination. Ilford Station is offering a 35 to 45-minute journey to London Waterloo via Stratford. The borough has an extensive bus network, ensuring good connectivity across the area. Redbridge is generally safe, with low crime rates, and is known for its excellent educational institutes.
8. Bromley – £1,720 avg. monthly rent
In Bromley there are plenty of things to see and do. Crystal Palace Park, is famous for its dinosaur sculptures, and is a major attraction. As is the Churchill Theatre, offering a variety of performances and Bromley High Street is great for shopping and dining. From Bromley South Station you are within 30 to 40 minutes in London Waterloo. The local bus network offers easy access to surrounding areas. Bromley is known for its low crime rates and has excellent schools.
9. Enfield – £1,760 avg. monthly rent
Enfield is perfect for outdoor activities and offers a strong sense of community. Historically this borough is also appealing with Forty Hall Estate. Transport links are good, with Enfield Town Station offering a 45–55-minute journey to London Waterloo. Enfield is generally safe, with low crime rates, and offers a good selection of schools.
10. Lewisham – £1,766 avg. monthly rent
The last spot on our cheapest places to rent in London list is for Lewisham, a vibrant and culturally diverse borough. Greenwich Park, with its stunning views and historical sites, is a major highlight, alongside the bustling Lewisham Shopping Centre. Transport is efficient, with Lewisham Station providing a 20–30-minute journey to London Waterloo. The DLR also offers additional transport options. While some areas of Lewisham have higher crime rates, the overall safety is improving.
How to get an affordable apartment in London?
There are different ways and strategies to approach searching for an affordable apartment in London.
First, you can use online property portals and local letting agents to help find a place to rent.
To keep the cost down you can consider things HMOs, and co-living. Another tip would be to look out for any new developments as they sometimes offer discounts or incentives for early tenants. Finally, look as well into Build to Rent developments, they’re booming, and they often come fully furnished with amenities like a gym, community or workspaces.
Where are Londoners moving to escape high rents?
It is generally cheaper to rent outside London. Many Londoners are moving to nearby commuter towns and cities to escape high rents. Popular choices include Luton, Slough and Basildon.
Outside of London, cities like Hull, Bradford, and Stoke-on-Trent are some of the cheapest places to live in the UK, offering significantly lower rents compared to the capital.
Affordable places to rent in london
Finding an affordable place to live in London is possible with careful research and a willingness to explore different boroughs. By focusing on the more budget-friendly areas and understanding London living rent, you can enjoy living in one of the world’s most vibrant cities without breaking the bank.
Last Updated: September 22nd, 2024
