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Property investment stats for Bloomsbury, Central London

A complete guide to property investment in Bloomsbury.

Last updated: 18 September 2025

Investment summary

Bloomsbury is a classic London neighbourhood, shaped by its academic institutions, historic squares and a population that skews young and highly educated. The area is dominated by private renters, with owner-occupation at the very lowest end of the scale, and families are a rare sight. Demand is fuelled by a large student contingent (in the 99th percentile) and a high proportion of professionals and managers.

The property market is highly liquid for central London, with annual sales at 153 and homes spending an average of 86 days on the market. Asking prices are robust, with a median price per square foot of £1,077 per sq ft, and the rent-to-income ratio is high at 44.7%, reflecting Bloomsbury’s status as a premium rental location.

Image of Bloomsbury, Central London

Key investment stats for Bloomsbury

Median price per sq ft

£1,077 / sq ft

Average rental yield

5.6%

Capital growth (1y)

-2.7%

Sales in past year

153

* Property stats calculated for last full calendar year (2024).

Live property stats in Bloomsbury

Live prices in Bloomsbury, Central London

* Extreme prices clipped for legibility

Properties for sale

Median price

£730,000

25% of properties below...

£450,000

75% of properties below...

£1,100,000

Most expensive property

£7,250,000

Live listings

214

Median days on market

86

Should you invest in Bloomsbury?

Opportunities

  • The average rental yield in Bloomsbury stands at a strong 5.6%, with some districts achieving up to 7.3%, making it attractive for buy-to-let investors.
  • High demand from students and young professionals (both in the 99th percentile) ensures a steady stream of tenants and low vacancy risk.
  • The area’s reputation and central location support premium asking rents, such as £3,378 for a two-bedroom flat and £5,350 for a three-bedroom house.

Risks

  • Capital growth has changed by -2.7% over one year and by -0.2% over three years, with annualised growth at -0.1%, indicating little to no price appreciation recently.
  • Affordability is stretched, with a price-to-income ratio of 8.7 and a rent-to-income ratio of 44.7%, which could limit future upside or tenant affordability.
  • The dominance of single-occupier and private rented households, alongside a minimal family presence, means the market is highly exposed to shifts in the student and young professional segments.

Outlook

Over the next year, Bloomsbury is likely to remain a magnet for renters, particularly students and professionals, given its central location and academic prestige. Rental yields should stay attractive, especially in the highest-performing districts such as WC1H, where yields reach 7.3%.

While the capital growth outlook is muted, with recent figures showing changes of -2.7% over one year and -0.2% over three years, the area’s liquidity and steady tenant demand provide some reassurance. Investors may not see rapid price gains, but the consistent rental market and strong demographic fundamentals offer stability.

Affordability will remain a challenge for both buyers and tenants, but this is par for the course in central London. For those prioritising yield and low voids over short-term capital appreciation, Bloomsbury continues to stand out.

Live properties in Bloomsbury

Investment properties in Bloomsbury, Central London

2 bedroom flat for sale
On market for 180 days

£420,000 - Guide Price

2 bedroom flat for sale

Southampton Row, London, WC1B

Slow to sell properties in Bloomsbury, Central London
Slow to Sell
1 bedroom penthouse for sale
Reduced by 20%

£1,000,000 - Offers Over

1 bedroom penthouse for sale

Red Lion Street, London, WC1R

Big price drop properties in Bloomsbury, Central London
Big Price Drop
5 bedroom town house for sale
5,428 sq ft

£4,480,000 - Guide Price

5 bedroom town house for sale

Great James Street, London, WC1N

Properties with planning granted in Bloomsbury, Central London
Planning Granted
3 bedroom flat for sale
29% below median price

£575,000

3 bedroom flat for sale

Cromer Street, Bloomsbury, London, ...

Low price-per-sq-ft properties in Bloomsbury, Central London
Low Price per Sq Ft
1 bedroom flat for sale
57% below median price

£140,000 - Guide Price

1 bedroom flat for sale

Flat 1 Tavistock Court, Tavistock S...

Auction properties in Bloomsbury, Central London
Auction

Achieved vs asking prices

Key takeaway: Balanced market

Discounts exist, but they won't transform deal economics on their own.

Headline stats

• Median discount: £5,000

• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £25,000 below asking

• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £63,750 below asking

In percentage terms:

• Median discount of 1.4%

• 25% of properties discounted by > 4.4%

• 10% of properties discounted by > 7.3%

Best places to invest in Bloomsbury

Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth

Rank
Postcode
Yield
Capital growth
Median £/sq ft
1WC1H7.3%0.7%£1,038 / sq ft
2WC1X5.7%4.0%£1,401 / sq ft
3WC1N4.3%--
4W1T4.3%--
5WC1R3.2%--
6WC1E---
7WC1A---
8WC1V---
9WC1B---

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.