Affordability in Colchester
Homes in Colchester cost about 8.4× the typical full-time salary, versus 7.6× across England & Wales. That puts it in line with the country as a whole.
Based on ONS house-price to workplace-earnings ratios, 2025. The England & Wales median is 7.6×.
Renting in Colchester
| Property size | Average rent (pcm) | Change on a year |
|---|---|---|
| 1 bed | £820 | +2.2% |
| 2 bed | £1,063 | +2.0% |
| 3 bed | £1,301 | +2.3% |
| 4+ bed | £1,796 | +1.7% |
| All sizes | £1,197 | +2.1% |
Who lives in Colchester
Census 2021 figures, averaged across the area's neighbourhoods.
67%
Owner-occupied
Homes owned outright or with a mortgage
20.3%
Privately rented
Share of homes rented from a private landlord
32.8%
Degree-educated
Adults with a level-4+ qualification
18.8%
Children
Residents aged under 16
21.6%
Retired
Residents who are retired
31.1%
Work from home
Workers based mainly at home
17%
Car-free homes
Households with no car or van
6/10
Deprivation
1 = most deprived, 10 = least (IMD decile)
Frequently asked
What is the average house price in Colchester?
The median house price in Colchester is £327,000 (ONS, 2025), about 8.4× the typical full-time salary.
How much is rent in Colchester?
The average private rent for a two-bedroom home in Colchester is £1,063 per month (ONS Price Index of Private Rents, August 2026). It averages existing tenancies as well as new lets, so newly advertised rents are usually higher.
Where does this Colchester data come from?
House prices and affordability ratios come from ONS. Rents are average private rents from the ONS Price Index of Private Rents, for the latest published month. Demographics are Census 2021 figures aggregated to local-authority level. England & Wales only.
Explore Colchester
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