Flats to Rent in Ealing

Flats to Rent in Ealing

Ealing has earned its Victorian nickname "Queen of the Suburbs" through a compelling combination of leafy residential streets, excellent transport connectivity, and genuine community character. With average monthly rents around £2,050 and property prices averaging £680,000, Ealing occupies a sweet spot—more affordable than prime central London while offering faster commutes than many inner boroughs thanks to five Elizabeth line stations. The borough's 100+ parks, 26 Green Flag awards, and cultural diversity spanning from Polish heritage centres to London's largest Asian community in Southall make it one of West London's most distinctive places to live.

Ealing Rental Market: West London Value

Ealing's rental market reflects its desirable position—premium enough to attract quality housing stock, yet more accessible than neighbouring Chiswick or Hammersmith. The average monthly rent of £2,050 (October 2025) represents a 5.3% annual increase, slightly above London's overall growth rate, indicating sustained demand.

The Elizabeth line's full opening has transformed Ealing's rental dynamics, with areas around stations seeing particular demand from commuters who can now reach Bond Street in 11 minutes and Liverpool Street in 22 minutes—times competitive with many Zone 2 tube locations. Two-bedroom flats represent the most common rental stock (43% of properties), reflecting the borough's appeal to couples and small families.

Current Rental Indicators (2024-2025):
Average monthly rent: £2,050
Studio flats: £1,200 - £1,500
One-bedroom flats: £1,450 - £1,850
Two-bedroom flats: £1,700 - £2,300
Three-bedroom houses: £2,400 - £3,200
Four+ bedroom houses: £2,900 - £4,500
Average property price: £680,000
Rental yield: Approximately 3.6-4.2%

Rental prices vary significantly across the borough's seven distinct areas. Ealing Broadway and Northfields command premiums for their village character and transport links, while Southall, Greenford, and Northolt offer more affordable options with still-decent connectivity. Buy-to-let investors find Ealing attractive for its combination of steady yields and potential capital appreciation driven by transport improvements.

Neighbourhood Guide: Seven Towns, One Borough

Ealing Council officially recognises seven distinct areas within the borough, each with its own character, transport links, and rental market. Understanding these differences is essential for finding the right fit.

Ealing Broadway and Central Ealing

The borough's commercial and cultural heart, Ealing Broadway delivers the "Queen of the Suburbs" experience at its finest. The town centre combines high street chains with independent shops, restaurants, and the Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre. Filmworks Ealing provides modern cinema and dining, while the Questors Theatre—Britain's largest community theatre—offers quality productions.

Ealing Studios, the world's oldest continuously working film studio (operating since 1902), adds cultural cachet. The studios produced classic Ealing Comedies like The Ladykillers and The Lavender Hill Mob, and continue filming major productions including Downton Abbey and The Crown.

Transport from Ealing Broadway is exceptional: Elizabeth line to Bond Street in 11 minutes, Central line to Oxford Circus in 20 minutes, District line to Westminster in 30 minutes. Multiple bus routes serve the station, creating a genuine transport hub.

Rental prices reflect the premium location. One-bedroom flats typically run £1,600-£2,000, with two-bedrooms from £1,900-£2,500. Period conversions in tree-lined streets command higher prices than modern developments. The area suits professionals prioritising transport links and urban amenities.

Northfields and South Ealing

These adjacent neighbourhoods represent Ealing at its most village-like—quiet residential streets, independent shops, excellent schools, and genuine community spirit. Northfields in particular has cultivated a distinctive character, with cafés, delis, and boutiques along Northfield Avenue creating a local high street feel increasingly rare in London.

The areas consistently rank among London's most desirable for families. Outstanding schools, safe streets, and proximity to green spaces including Lammas Park and Elthorne Park create family-friendly environments. The demographic skews toward established families and professionals—children's birthday parties and school runs define weekend rhythms.

Piccadilly line stations at Northfields and South Ealing provide direct routes to central London and Heathrow Airport. Journey times to Piccadilly Circus run approximately 35 minutes—longer than Ealing Broadway but acceptable for the village atmosphere trade-off.

Rental premiums apply in these sought-after areas. One-bedroom flats average £1,550-£1,900, with two-bedrooms from £1,850-£2,400 and family houses from £2,800-£3,800. Competition for properties is fierce, particularly for those within school catchment areas.

Acton

Acton offers Ealing's most urban character, with excellent transport links creating appeal for younger professionals. Acton Main Line station on the Elizabeth line provides fast central London access, while Acton Town (Piccadilly and District lines) and South Acton (Overground) add connectivity options.

The area has historically attracted immigrant communities—a significant British-Polish population dating to WWII refugees established cultural institutions, while more recent arrivals create contemporary diversity. POSK (Polish Social and Cultural Association) in nearby Hammersmith serves as Western Europe's largest Polish cultural centre, though Acton itself hosts Polish shops, restaurants, and community events.

Acton's rental market offers better value than central Ealing, with one-bedroom flats from £1,400-£1,750 and two-bedrooms from £1,600-£2,100. The area suits young professionals, sharers, and those prioritising transport over neighbourhood polish. Some areas retain gritty urban character—research specific streets before committing.

Hanwell

Once overlooked, Hanwell has undergone significant transformation, emerging as one of Ealing's fastest-growing areas. The Elizabeth line's arrival at Hanwell station—providing Bond Street access in 17 minutes—fundamentally changed the area's appeal, attracting residents priced out of more established neighbourhoods.

Historic character includes the Wharncliffe Viaduct, an 1838 railway viaduct designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel spanning the River Brent. The Hanwell Flight—a series of canal locks on the Grand Union Canal—provides attractive waterside walking. Brent Lodge Park (known locally as "Bunny Park" for its animal enclosures) serves families.

Rental prices in Hanwell offer genuine value compared to central Ealing. One-bedroom flats range £1,350-£1,650, with two-bedrooms from £1,550-£1,950. The area suits those seeking Elizabeth line access without paying Ealing Broadway premiums, though the neighbourhood lacks the village character of Northfields.

Southall: London's Little India

Southall represents one of London's most distinctive neighbourhoods—a vibrant South Asian community often called "Little India" or "Little Punjab" that feels genuinely unlike anywhere else in the capital. The Broadway bustles with sari shops, jewellers, sweet shops, and restaurants serving authentic Punjabi, Pakistani, and Sri Lankan cuisine rarely found elsewhere in London.

Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara—the largest Sikh temple outside India—dominates the skyline with its golden domes and white marble. Visitors are welcome to explore (shoes off, heads covered), and the langar (free community kitchen) serves thousands daily. During Diwali and Vaisakhi, Southall transforms into festival mode with lights, music, and celebration.

Elizabeth line connectivity from Southall station has improved the area's accessibility dramatically—Liverpool Street in 28 minutes, Heathrow in 7 minutes. Rental prices remain Ealing's most affordable: one-bedroom flats from £1,150-£1,400, two-bedrooms from £1,350-£1,700, houses from £1,700-£2,400.

Southall suits those who appreciate cultural immersion, value-conscious renters, and anyone wanting something genuinely different from standard London suburbs. Those seeking conventional high street shopping or quiet village atmosphere should look elsewhere.

Greenford and Perivale

These northern Ealing neighbourhoods offer suburban character with reasonable transport links. Greenford station provides Central line access (Holborn in approximately 30 minutes), while Perivale connects to the same line. Both areas feature 1930s suburban housing stock—semi-detached houses with gardens that appeal to families seeking space.

Horsenden Hill—the highest point in the borough at 85 metres—provides surprising countryside feel with meadows, woodland, and panoramic views. The hill forms part of a green corridor connecting to the Grand Union Canal, offering genuine escape from urban density.

Rental prices reflect the outer-borough location. One-bedroom flats range £1,200-£1,450, with two-bedrooms from £1,400-£1,750 and family houses from £1,800-£2,500. The areas suit families prioritising space and affordability over urban convenience.

Northolt

Ealing's northernmost area borders Hillingdon and South Harrow, offering the most suburban character and lowest rental prices. Central line access from Northolt station provides central London connectivity, though journey times extend to 40+ minutes. RAF Northolt—a working Royal Air Force station—gives the area its distinctive character.

Housing is predominantly post-war suburban development with some newer builds. Green spaces including Northala Fields (featuring hills constructed from Wembley Stadium demolition material) provide local recreation. The demographic tends toward established families and those prioritising affordability over location prestige.

Rental prices are Ealing's lowest alongside Southall. One-bedroom flats from £1,100-£1,350, two-bedrooms from £1,300-£1,600. The area suits those with cars or flexible working arrangements who prioritise space and value over commute times.

Transport: Elizabeth Line Transformation

The Elizabeth line's full opening has transformed Ealing's transport proposition, providing fast, frequent, air-conditioned services that compete favourably with many Zone 2 alternatives.

Elizabeth Line

Five Elizabeth line stations serve Ealing: Ealing Broadway, West Ealing, Hanwell, Southall, and Acton Main Line. Key journey times from Ealing Broadway include:

Paddington: 7 minutes
Bond Street: 11 minutes
Tottenham Court Road: 13 minutes
Liverpool Street: 22 minutes
Canary Wharf: 28 minutes
Heathrow Terminal 5: 17 minutes

The Elizabeth line's capacity—1,500 passengers per train versus 850 on Underground trains—means seated travel is often possible, transforming the commute experience. Trains run every 5 minutes during peak hours, providing genuine turn-up-and-go convenience.

Underground Lines

The Central line terminates at Ealing Broadway and West Acton, providing direct access to Holborn, the City, and Stratford. Journey times to Bank run approximately 35 minutes.

The District line terminates at Ealing Broadway, serving Westminster, Victoria, and continuing to east London. The Piccadilly line serves multiple Ealing stations including Acton Town, South Ealing, Northfields, and Boston Manor, providing direct Heathrow access and continuing to central London via Leicester Square and King's Cross.

This redundancy—multiple lines serving different parts of the borough—provides resilience when individual services face disruption.

Overground and National Rail

The London Overground serves South Acton, connecting to Richmond and Stratford via the North London Line. Great Western Railway services from Ealing Broadway provide fast trains to Reading and the West Country. For international travel, Heathrow Express from Paddington (7 minutes from Ealing Broadway) reaches Terminal 5 in 15 minutes.

Schools and Education: Strong State Sector

Ealing's schools represent a key attraction for families, with multiple Outstanding-rated secondaries and strong primary options across the borough.

Outstanding Secondary Schools

Ellen Wilkinson School for Girls—named after one of Britain's first female MPs and first female Education Minister—achieves Outstanding ratings across all categories. The school's 1,400 students benefit from strong pastoral care, high expectations, and exceptional sixth form outcomes. Location in Acton provides good transport links.

Twyford Church of England High School in Acton achieves Outstanding status with a student-teacher ratio of 15:1 and strong emphasis on pastoral care. William Perkin Church of England High School—opened 2013—rapidly achieved Outstanding rating with exceptional leadership and academic results.

Drayton Manor High School in Hanwell, Elthorne Park High School in Hanwell, and specialist St Ann's School all hold Outstanding ratings, providing genuine choice across the borough. Competition for places at these schools drives family settlement patterns, with catchment areas significantly influencing property prices.

Primary Schools

Numerous primary schools achieve Outstanding and Good ratings, with particular concentration in Northfields, South Ealing, and Ealing Broadway areas. Feeder relationships to popular secondaries create strategic considerations for families—research catchment areas carefully before committing to rental locations. Faith schools—both Church of England and Catholic—provide additional options for qualifying families.

Independent Schools

Private options include St Augustine's Priory (girls), Notting Hill and Ealing High School (girls), and Durston House (boys' prep). Fees range from £15,000-£20,000 annually, with waiting lists for popular schools.

Safety: Above-Average for London

Ealing ranks 15th safest among London's 33 boroughs, with crime rates 2.5% below the London average—a respectable position reflecting the borough's predominantly residential character.

Borough-Wide Statistics

Ealing recorded 26,623 crimes in the year ending June 2024, with a rate of 117 per 1,000 residents. This "medium" crime level reflects the borough's mixed character—lower than Tower Hamlets or Lambeth, higher than outer boroughs like Havering or Sutton.

Long-term trends show improvement: Ealing's crime risk score has decreased by 30 points over the past decade. Residential burglary has fallen 38% since 2014, reflecting both improved security and changing crime patterns. Vehicle theft has increased 15%, a London-wide issue related to keyless car technology.

Variation by Area

Northfields, South Ealing, and Pitshanger Lane areas record crime rates comparable to outer London's safest boroughs—genuine village safety within the city. Ealing Broadway town centre sees higher rates associated with retail crime and night-time economy. Acton, Southall, and Greenford fall in the middle range, with normal urban precautions appropriate.

The most common crimes are violence and sexual offences (often domestic incidents rather than street crime), theft, and vehicle-related offences. Serious violent crime remains relatively rare in residential areas.

Green Spaces: London's Greenest Borough

Ealing claims to be London's greenest borough, with 100+ parks and open spaces earning 26 Green Flag awards—more than most London boroughs achieve in total.

Walpole Park

Ealing's premier park spans 28 acres adjacent to Ealing Broadway, combining Victorian landscaping with cultural attractions. Pitzhanger Manor House—designed by Sir John Soane and recently restored—provides architectural interest and exhibition space. The park hosts Ealing Comedy Festival, Jazz Festival, and summer events, creating genuine community gathering space.

Features include a walled rose garden, wildlife pond, ornamental fountain pond, and open lawns for recreation. The park closes at night, maintaining quality and safety.

Pitshanger Park and the River Brent

This long, meandering park follows the River Brent through north Ealing, connecting to wider green corridors. Tennis courts, bowling greens, football pitches, fitness trails, and outdoor gym equipment serve active residents. The park's natural beauty—wildflowers, mature trees, riverside paths—attracts dog walkers, joggers, and families. Unlike Walpole, Pitshanger remains open at night (car park locked).

Gunnersbury Park

Shared with Hounslow, this 200-acre estate between Acton and Ealing provides grand parkland centred on Georgian Gunnersbury House. Sports facilities include football pitches, tennis courts, and cricket wickets, with a modern sports hub adding contemporary amenities. The ornamental gardens, rose garden, temple, and pond recall the park's aristocratic origins—the Rothschild family owned the estate until 1925.

Community events, including summer festivals and cultural celebrations, use the park's extensive grounds. The combination of heritage architecture, sports facilities, and green space creates genuine destination appeal.

Horsenden Hill

The borough's highest point provides surprising countryside within Greater London. Ancient meadows, woodland, and panoramic views reward the short climb. The hill connects to the Grand Union Canal towpath, enabling extended walking and cycling routes. Bird watchers, horse riders, and those seeking genuine rural escape value this unexpected resource.

Culture and Character

Ealing's cultural identity blends suburban respectability with genuine diversity and creative heritage.

Ealing Studios

The world's oldest continuously working film studio (since 1902) gives Ealing unique cultural cachet. The studios produced the celebrated Ealing Comedies of the 1940s-50s and continue active production—Downton Abbey, The Crown, and The Theory of Everything all filmed here. MetFilm School operates from the studios, training the next generation of filmmakers. The complex occasionally opens for public events and tours.

Polish Heritage

West Ealing and Acton host London's historic Polish community, with roots in WWII refugees and the Polish armed forces. While the main cultural centre (POSK) is technically in Hammersmith, Polish shops, restaurants, and churches serve the community across Ealing. The population has grown with EU migration, creating vibrant contemporary Polish presence alongside established institutions.

South Asian Culture

Southall's vibrant South Asian community—primarily Punjabi Sikhs but also Pakistani, Sri Lankan, and other communities—creates London's most distinctive ethnic neighbourhood. The experience is genuinely immersive: Bollywood music from shops, aroma of spices, stunning textiles in window displays. Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara welcomes visitors to explore Sikh faith and culture. Vegetarians find exceptional restaurant options throughout the area.

Who Should Consider Renting in Ealing?

Ealing's varied character suits diverse lifestyles across its seven distinct areas.

Commuters to the West End and City

Elizabeth line access makes Ealing competitive with Zone 2 alternatives for speed, often with more comfortable travel conditions. Those working around Bond Street, Tottenham Court Road, or Liverpool Street find excellent value compared to equivalent commute times from east or south London.

Families with Children

Outstanding schools, safe residential streets, and exceptional green space access make Northfields, South Ealing, and Pitshanger particularly attractive for families. The demographic concentration means built-in playdate networks and family-oriented local businesses.

Heathrow Workers and Frequent Travellers

Ealing's western location and Elizabeth line/Piccadilly line Heathrow access suit aviation industry workers and frequent business travellers. Southall to Heathrow takes just 7 minutes on the Elizabeth line.

Those Seeking Cultural Diversity

Southall offers genuine cultural immersion unavailable in conventional London suburbs. Those who value diverse food options, multicultural community, and something genuinely different will appreciate the unique character.

Young Professionals Seeking Value

Acton, Hanwell, and Greenford offer reasonable rents with good transport links—appealing for those prioritising affordability and connectivity over established neighbourhood character.

Essential Ealing Resources

Ealing Council: ealing.gov.uk – Council services, local information
Visit Ealing: visitlondon.com/things-to-do/london-areas/ealing – Tourism information
Ealing Today: ealingtoday.co.uk – Local news
Questors Theatre: questors.org.uk – Community theatre
Pitzhanger Manor: pitzhanger.org.uk – House museum and exhibitions
Visit Southall: visitsouthall.co.uk – Southall guide and information
POSK: posk.org – Polish Social and Cultural Association

Making Your Decision

Ealing earns its "Queen of the Suburbs" title through genuine quality—excellent transport, outstanding schools, beautiful parks, and diverse communities coexisting within a coherent borough identity. The Elizabeth line has transformed accessibility, making Ealing competitive for commute times while offering space, greenery, and value unavailable in central London.

The key is matching neighbourhood to lifestyle. Northfields delivers village charm for families; Ealing Broadway provides urban convenience; Southall offers cultural immersion; Acton suits young professionals on budgets. Across all areas, Ealing provides something increasingly precious in London—genuine community character alongside practical livability.

Use our search tools to explore current Ealing listings, filtering by area to find properties matching your priorities. Whether seeking a period flat near Ealing Broadway's cafés or a family house in leafy Northfields, Ealing's rental market offers West London living at its best.