Top Cheapest Areas to Rent a Room in London 2025

Life in London is a dream for many people, however the cost of housing can make people feel like it’s not an option. London is consistently in the top-tier of the most expensive cities in the world, with average monthly rents being much higher than £1,400, but not every area in London is priced the same. If you're willing to extend your search a little outside the central zones there are still some areas with affordable rents.

This guide will look at the cheapest boroughs and then cheapest postcodes for renting a room in London in 2025, so you know what to realistically expect, how much you might be paying, and what lifestyle you will be adopting in each area.

Reasons Why Parts of London Have Lower Rent

The rental market in London is influenced by demand, property values, and transport links. Even though some of the luxury areas such as Chelsea, Kensington and Mayfair raise the averages, the outer boroughs and less central postcodes are affordable. You will find many people who want a flat or house because it can reduce their rental costs substantially from renting a whole property.

Cheapest Boroughs to Rent in London

 Bexley – Average Rent: £1,150 PCM

Bexley is reputedly one of London's greenest boroughs, offering a safe and family-friendly choice of boroughs. With parks, woods and a slower pace-of-life, Bexley is around 45 minutes by train to Charing Cross and Victoria. Bexley averages £1,243 for a two bed flat, while sharing a two bed flat could cost £400–£500 per person.

2. Barking and Dagenham - Average Rent: £1,210 PCM

This borough in East London is popular with first-time buyers and renters because of its inexpensive property prices. From terraced houses that start around £260,000, property prices are lower than the London average. The area is served by the District line station and has services into the City regularly, so a commute takes about half an hour.

3. Havering - Average Rent: £1,145 PCM

If you want a slightly more suburban life, including plenty of greenfields and woodlands, then Havering is for you. Romford is the main hub with shopping, nightlife, and quick access to central London (within approximately 40 minutes).

4. Bromley - Average Rent: £1,250 PCM

Bromley offers a nice mix of urban living with a hint of rural life: it is 30% farmland and is one of London's safest boroughs. Fast trains from Bromley South reach Victoria in just 16 minutes!

5. Sutton – Average Rent: £1,150 PCM

Sutton is a quiet borough in south London that is known for its schools and green spaces. Commute times into central London are under an hour and Sutton has some of the lowest rent in London.

6. Newham – Average Rent: £312 PCM 

Newham has areas like East Ham and Plaistow that tend to have some of the lowest room rents in London. However, Newham has higher levels of crime compared to other boroughs which renters will often factor in against the lower costs. 

7. Croydon – Average Rent: £1,200 PCM

In South London, Croydon is an important town just 15 minutes away from Victoria. It is best known for its nightlife, arts and culture, and shopping. With great rent and transport connections, young professionals are ready to move in.

8. Greenwich – Average Rent: £1,250 PCM

Greenwich offers riverside views, historical landmarks, and cultural attractions which provide a great lifestyle for the cost. The overall crime is relatively low which is another appeal for renters, specifically students from the University of Greenwich. 

9. Waltham Forest – Average Rent for a one-bed flat: £1060; average rent for a shared bedroom in a 3-bed flat: £560 PCM.

Waltham Forest is close to Epping Forest and provides great access into central London and lots of green space. This northeast borough of London is still popular with one-bed flats just above £1,060 and if you are happy to share a three-bed flat, rent can be around £560.

10. Hillingdon – Average Rent: £1,296 PCM

Hillingdon is west of London, and is home to Heathrow Airport, this area has a mix of suburban living, green areas and schools. Average housing prices are much cheaper than in central boroughs, meaning rent can be more affordable.

11. Lewisham – Average Rent: £1,100 PCM

Lewisham is just 6 miles from central London. It hosts the London Borough of Culture in 2025, helping it in the making of a cultural hotspot. It is well connected to public transport, has a broad mix of communities, and is home to low rent. All these factors result in a surge in house sharing.

12. Redbridge – Average Rent: £1,300 PCM

Redbridge is situated in East London, and is a district that features low crime rates along with lower property prices making it attractive for younger people. One bed flats can get below £1,000 on average rent which creates a lot of disposable income for younger/young professionals.

Cheapest Postcodes to Rent a Room in London

If you're interested in searching for room rents, here are some of the cheapest postcodes (median monthly rent

These amounts are well below the city-wide average of £980 per room in London.

Average Rent by Property Type in London 2025

• 1-bedroom flat: £1,720 per month    
• 2-bedroom flat: £2,300 per month    
• 3-bedroom flat: £3,100 per month    

Shared accommodation is usually the cheapest option and is likely to reduce the amount you pay in rent by 30-40%.    

Conclusion   

London indeed has a reputation of being expensive, but we all know there is a small picture of it being more affordable. For instance, Bexley, Havering, and Sutton do provide excellent value for money and are still attractive places for residence. Postcodes dominated by the Private Rented Sector (PRS) in East Ham and Manor Park have the lowest rents for shared London accommodation. 

Since your move is scheduled for 2025, it would be advisable to target such neighborhoods beforehand, not only for the purpose of getting a taste of London, but also for managing your finances effectively.