Property investment stats for Bedford, East of England
A complete guide to property investment in Bedford.
Last updated: 10 January 2026
Investment summary
Bedford offers a balanced mix of affordability and rental potential, making it a compelling option for property investors seeking steady returns. The area sees a strong rental market, supported by a sizeable student and young professional population (with both groups in the upper percentiles nationally). The average price-to-income ratio of 5.8 keeps homes accessible relative to many parts of the South East, while the current median asking price for a 3-bedroom house sits at £385,000. For those seeking liquidity, properties in Bedford tend to move briskly, with a typical listing spending just 35 days before selling.
Rental yields are robust, with an average of 5.8% and standout performance in the top postcode district, where yields reach 6.6%. This, combined with a median rent for a 3-bedroom house of £1,498, suggests ongoing demand from renters.
Key investment stats for Bedford
Median price per sq ft
£338 / sq ft
Average rental yield
5.8%
Capital growth (1y)
0.2%
Sales in past year
1,001
* Property stats calculated for last full calendar year (2024).
Live property stats in Bedford
Live prices in Bedford, East of England
* Extreme prices clipped for legibility
Properties for sale
Median price
£375,000
25% of properties below...
£243,712
75% of properties below...
£526,250
Most expensive property
£3,500,000
Live listings
504
Median days on market
35
Should you invest in Bedford?
Opportunities
- The strong average rental yield of 5.8% and even higher yields of 6.6% in the top postcode district offer attractive income potential for landlords.
- Quick sales (with properties spending only 35 days on the market) and a median discount of £5,000 (the typical achieved discount) suggest good liquidity and negotiation opportunities for buyers.
- The high proportion of private renters (in the 77th percentile) points to sustained rental demand, especially among young professionals and students.
Risks
- With a price-to-income ratio of 5.8, affordability is reasonable but could tighten if prices outpace local wage growth.
- The area has a relatively high unemployment rate (in the 73rd percentile), which may impact tenant stability and long-term capital growth.
- The student population is significant (in the 76th percentile), so investors should consider potential shifts in demand if university trends change.
Outlook
Looking ahead, Bedford’s property market appears stable, underpinned by steady demand from renters and buyers alike. The annualised three-year growth rate of 3.7% and one-year capital growth of 0.2% indicate modest but consistent price appreciation.
Rental demand is likely to remain strong given the high proportion of young adults and private renters, while affordability (with a rent-to-income ratio of 22.6%) should help keep turnover healthy. Investors should keep an eye on local employment trends and the student sector, but overall, Bedford offers a mix of resilience and opportunity for those seeking a balanced investment profile.
Property market trends in Bedford
Average yield (%)
Median price per sq ft (£/sq ft)
Live properties in Bedford
Investment properties in Bedford, East of England
£100,000
2 bedroom flat for sale
Linden Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire,...
£450,000 - Offers Over
4 bedroom detached house for sale
Farnham Way, Bedford, Bedfordshire,...
£85,000 - Guide Price
2 bedroom apartment for sale
St. Johns Street, Bedford, MK42
£500,000 - Guide Price
7 bedroom semi-detached house for sale
Elstow Road, Bedford, MK42
£425,000 - Offers Over
3 bedroom terraced house for sale
Clarendon Street
£80,000 - Guide Price
1 bedroom flat for sale
Tavistock Street, Bedford, Bedfords...
£100,000 - Guide Price
1 bedroom flat for sale
Crowe Road, Bedford, Bedfordshire, ...
Achieved vs asking prices
Key takeaway: Balanced market
Buyers have some negotiation leverage, but not much.
Headline stats
• Median discount: £5,000
• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £10,000 below asking
• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £16,000 below asking
In percentage terms:
• Median discount of 1.2%
• 25% of properties discounted by > 2.9%
• 10% of properties discounted by > 4.5%
Best places to invest in Bedford
Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth
Nearby and related areas
Data sources
GeoGlider calculates property investment stats by blending official and proprietary datasets. Here's a quick overview of key sources and how we use them:
HM Land Registry: Property transaction and sold-price records for England & Wales used to calculate historical capital growth, price levels and comparables.
Office for National Statistics (ONS): Demographic and economic indicators for the UK, including Census 2021, supporting area profiling and market context.
Ordnance Survey: Authoritative UK geospatial data powering accurate boundaries, roads and terrain for mapping and spatial analysis.
GeoProp: Our proprietary AI pipeline that processes millions of property listings to extract rich features and live market signals.
Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores and property floor areas.
HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): Household income and employment data to understand local affordability and economic conditions.
Data is updated continuously, matched across sources and rigorously validated.