How Much Is Rent in Cambridge UK for 1-Bed, 2-Bed, and 4-Bed Properties?

Whether you're preparing to list a flat, evaluating portfolio performance, or exploring your first investment, knowing what properties really rent for in Cambridge matters. In 2025, rising mortgage rates and continued demand have kept rents elevated—but there’s still variation by postcode, property type, and let strategy. Here's what landlords need to know to stay competitive and maximise yield.

Average 2025 Rents by Property Size

1-Bed Flats

• City Centre (CB1/CB2): £1,500–£1,650/month for well-furnished units near the station or colleges.

• Outskirts (CB4/CB5): £1,300–£1,450/month depending on access to amenities and condition.

These units are popular with single professionals, PhD students, and relocators. Short let Cambridge listings can push yields to £2,500–£3,500/month in high seasons.

2-Bed Properties

• Average Across Cambridge: £1,700–£2,100/month

Suited for couples, sharers, or small families. City-centre or new-build 2-beds with en-suites and parking fetch top-end rents. Well-located CB3 and CB5 homes also perform strongly.

4-Bed Properties

• Family Homes: £2,300–£3,200/month depending on location and outdoor space.

• HMOs (4-bed licensed): £2,600–£3,200/month in CB4 and CB1, often let room by room to students or young professionals.

Families look for stability, schools, and garden space, while HMOs generate high gross yields but need active management.

Rent by Area – CB1, CB2, CB3, CB4, CB5

CB1: Central, vibrant, and well connected. Properties here command a premium. One-bed flats near Mill Road or the train station start from £1,500, while HMOs and new apartments push higher.

CB2: High-end new builds and executive rentals dominate here. Two-bedroom flats can top £2,300/month, and furnished short term let in Cambridge offerings see strong demand near Botanic Garden and the Biomedical Campus.

CB3: A traditional family zone. Detached homes near good schools rent well to longer-term tenants. Expect £2,500–£3,500/month for larger houses.

CB4: Great value for money and strong HMO demand. Rents are climbing, with 4-bed shared houses fetching £2,800+/month and smaller units rising steadily.

CB5: A riverside revival. New builds and converted terraces attract professionals priced out of CB1. One-beds from £1,400, two-beds around £1,700–£1,900/month.

Letting agents Cambridge continue to report rising interest in CB5 and CB4 due to affordability, transit links, and quality of life.

Factors That Affect Rent Levels

Beyond postcode and size, several variables influence rental pricing:

• Parking: Off-street or allocated parking can add £75–£150/month in value.

• Outdoor space: Gardens or balconies are prized by families and professionals.

• Furnishings & Design: Contemporary interiors rent faster and at premium rates.

• Energy Efficiency: EPC A/B rated homes are increasingly in demand as tenants look to lower bills.

• Proximity to University/Tech Hubs: Properties within walking distance to Cambridge University departments, Addenbrooke’s, or the Science Park see boosted interest.

Well-marketed, high-spec properties consistently outperform similar homes without these features.

Rent Trends Compared to Previous Years

Cambridge rental prices in 2025 are up 3–5% compared to 2024. The pace has slowed compared to pandemic recovery years, but demand remains strong.

Short let rates have rebounded due to academic travel, tourism, and relocations. In CB1 and CB2, short lets are again outperforming ASTs by 30–50% when occupancy is well managed.

Letting agents Cambridge confirm that long-term lets remain stable, with minor increases offset by fewer voids and longer tenancies.

Setting the Right Rent for Your Property

It’s a balancing act: price too high, and you risk extended voids; price too low, and you leave money on the table. Getting it right requires:

• Market benchmarking by size and area

• Factoring in your property’s standout features

• Understanding local competition (especially on portals like Rightmove or Airbnb)

Cambridge Property Lettings teams like ours use live data and comparative listings to help landlords set rent confidently. For short lets, we deploy dynamic pricing tools that adjust nightly rates in real time based on demand, seasonality, and local events.

Pricing That Matches the Market

Whether you manage a single flat or multiple properties to let near Cambridge, having up-to-date rent intelligence is crucial. With the right pricing and positioning, landlords can reduce voids, improve tenant satisfaction, and protect their income.

Request a free rent appraisal or listing consultation with Cambridge Stays to make sure your property is priced for success in 2025.