Bexley Ranks Third Cheapest London Borough to Rent by Zoopla 2026

Key Points

• Bexley has been ranked as the third cheapest area to rent in London by Zoopla, according to recent data from December 2025 to January 2026.
• Zoopla published its list of the UK’s cheapest places to rent a home in 2026, highlighting average monthly rents across regions.
• London renters paid an average of £2,224 per month, marking a 1.6 per cent increase over the last year.
• Croydon was named the cheapest borough in London with average rents at £1,617 per month.
• Sutton ranked second cheapest in London, followed by Bexley at £1,638 per month on average.
• Bexley saw one of the fastest rent increases in the capital, rising by almost five per cent over the past year, adding around £70 a month to the average tenant’s rent.
• This rise reflects strong demand from renters priced out of more expensive neighbouring boroughs.
• Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and HM Land Registry for the year ending March 2025 shows Bexley’s most expensive areas for house prices: Longlands & Halfway (£551,500 average), Bexley Village (£525,000), and Danson Park (£510,000).
• Mid-range areas in Bexley include Welling (£468,500), Lamorbey (£463,000), Lesnes Abbey (£450,000), Falconwood (£447,500), and Sidcup East (£445,000).
• Bexley’s most affordable house price areas are Belvedere & Lessness Heath (£338,250), Slade Green & Crayford Marshes (£330,000), Erith East (£327,500), and Erith West (£324,000).
• Bexley sits on the borders of Kent and London, offering relative affordability alongside good transport links to the city.

Bexley, London (South London News) January 30, 2026 – Bexley has emerged as the third cheapest borough in London for renters, with average monthly rents standing at £1,638, according to Zoopla’s latest analysis of the UK’s most affordable places to rent in 2026. This ranking comes amid broader pressures in the capital, where average rents reached £2,224 per month between December 2025 and January 2026, up 1.6 per cent from the previous year. While London remains one of the UK’s priciest regions, pockets of relative affordability like Bexley highlight options for those squeezed by rising costs elsewhere.

What Makes Bexley the Third Cheapest Borough in London?

Zoopla’s data underscores Bexley’s appeal for budget-conscious renters. Croydon leads as the cheapest at £1,617 per month, with Sutton in second place, just ahead of Bexley’s £1,638 average. As reported in Zoopla’s official release on the UK’s cheapest rental spots for 2026, these figures reflect advertised rents during the specified period.

The borough’s position reflects a delicate balance: affordability compared to central London, yet vulnerability to demand-driven hikes. Despite its low base, Bexley recorded one of the fastest rent increases in the capital, up nearly five per cent year-on-year. This equates to an additional £70 monthly for the average tenant, driven by renters spilling over from pricier neighbours like Greenwich or Bromley.

Why Have Rents in Bexley Risen So Sharply?

The near-five per cent surge in Bexley’s rents signals robust demand. As detailed in Zoopla’s analysis, this growth outpaces London’s overall 1.6 per cent rise, positioning Bexley among the capital’s quickest-appreciating rental markets. “Reflecting strong demand from renters priced out of more expensive neighbouring boroughs,” the report notes, attributing the pressure to spillover effects from high-cost areas.

This trend aligns with wider London dynamics, where the average rent of £2,224 underscores the city’s status as a national outlier. Zoopla’s data, drawn from live listings, captures a market where proximity to employment hubs fuels competition, even in outer boroughs like Bexley.

Which Areas in Bexley Command the Highest House Prices?

House price data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) and HM Land Registry, covering the year ending March 2025, reveals stark variations within Bexley. The priciest neighbourhood is Longlands & Halfway, where average house prices hit £551,500. Bexley Village follows closely at £525,000, with Danson Park at £510,000.

These figures, while focused on sales rather than rentals, provide context for rental affordability. High-end areas often correlate with premium rental demand, though Bexley’s overall ranking tempers this.

What Are Bexley’s Mid-Range Neighbourhoods for Property Prices?

Mid-tier options abound in Bexley, offering a middle ground for buyers and indirect insights into rental viability. Welling averages £468,500, Lamorbey £463,000, Lesnes Abbey £450,000, Falconwood £447,500, and Sidcup East £445,000, per ONS and HM Land Registry data for the year to March 2025.

These zones appeal to families and commuters, blending suburban calm with accessibility. Rental prices here likely mirror the borough’s £1,638 average, adjusted for local amenities.

Where Are Bexley’s Most Affordable Areas to Live?

Bexley’s budget-friendly pockets stand out prominently. Belvedere & Lessness Heath leads affordability at £338,250 average house price, followed by Slade Green & Crayford Marshes (£330,000), Erith East (£327,500), and Erith West (£324,000). This ONS and HM Land Registry data highlights eastern Bexley’s value, near the Kent border.

Renters eyeing these areas may find even lower thresholds than the borough average, though the five per cent hike applies borough-wide.

How Does Bexley’s Location Boost Its Rental Appeal?

Straddling Kent and London, Bexley offers a compelling compromise. Its borders provide suburban space at urban-adjacent prices, coupled with solid transport links. Commuter lines to London Bridge, Charing Cross, and Canary Wharf via Southeastern services make it viable for city workers.

Zoopla’s report implicitly nods to this:

“Sitting on the borders of Kent and London, Bexley offers would-be renters slightly more affordability whilst having good links to the city.”

Green spaces like Danson Park and Hall Place further enhance livability, drawing families priced out centrally.

What Broader Trends Shape London’s Rental Market?

London’s £2,224 average rent cements its expense, per Zoopla’s December 2025-January 2026 snapshot. The 1.6 per cent annual rise, while modest, compounds pressures amid wage stagnation and housing shortages. Outer boroughs like Croydon (£1,617), Sutton, and Bexley (£1,638) serve as refuges, yet their rent growth—Bexley’s five per cent—signals a tightening market.

Zoopla’s UK-wide list positions London as priciest overall, with northern cities far cheaper. This disparity drives migration to edges like Bexley.

Who Benefits Most from Bexley’s Rental Ranking?

First-time renters, young professionals, and families stand to gain. At £1,638, Bexley undercuts central zones by over 25 per cent, freeing funds for savings or lifestyle. However, the £70 monthly hike warns of eroding gains; tenants locking in now may hedge future rises.

Commuters value Bexley’s rail nexus—stations like Bexley, Crayford, and Sidcup offer 20-40 minute journeys to central London.

Is Bexley Poised for Further Rental Growth?

Demand from neighbours suggests yes. Bexley’s proximity to pricey Greenwich (rents ~£2,000+) funnels seekers eastward. Zoopla’s data flags this spillover as the five per cent driver, with no slowdown indicated.

Yet, infrastructure like Elizabeth Line extensions could accelerate appreciation, mirroring Croydon’s trajectory.

What Do the Data Sources Reveal About Reliability?

Zoopla aggregates live listings, ensuring currency for December 2025-January 2026. ONS and HM Land Registry provide robust sales benchmarks to March 2025, blending actual transactions for accuracy. No single source dominates; cross-verification bolsters confidence.

How Does Bexley Compare Nationally?

Zoopla’s UK list crowns northern spots cheapest, but Bexley shines among London boroughs. At third locally, it lags cities like Liverpool (~£700/month) but offers London access unattainable elsewhere.