Rising faster than other stations in borough despite limited service

Acton Main Line station. Picture: TfL

November 13, 2025

The area around Acton Main Line station has seen a surge in rental costs since the full opening of the Elizabeth line bringing levels above those seen around other stations in the borough.

Analysis by estate agent Benham Reeves shows that the postcode around the station now commands an average monthly rent of £2,245—up 15.3% since the line’s full launch in May 2023—edging past Ealing Broadway (£2,236) and West Ealing (£2,103).

The rise comes despite the fact that Acton Main Line is served less frequently than other nearby stations, with some residents continuing to campaign for more consistent Elizabeth line stops. Yet the area’s strong performance suggests that even limited access to the line is enough to drive demand, particularly among renters seeking a balance between connectivity and relative affordability.

Southall has also seen a sharp rise, with rents up 14.1% to £2,103—substantially narrowing the gap with more central parts of the borough. Hanwell, too, recorded a 7.2% increase to £1,982.

In contrast, West Ealing was one of only two areas along the entire Elizabeth line to see a fall in average rents, dipping slightly by 0.2%. Ealing Broadway saw rents rise by just 1.9%—well below the London average for stations in the capital of 12.9%.

The figures reflect a broader trend: since the Elizabeth line’s full opening, average rents near stations across the whole length of the line have risen by 13.3%, compared to 10.1% across London as a whole. Areas outside the capital have seen even stronger growth, with Iver in Buckinghamshire topping the table at 40.9%.

The survey offers no indication as to why rents have apparently not risen around the two Ealing stations although it is possible that levels had already surged prior to the opening of the line and now are facing saturation or affordability ceilings.

A local estate agent said, "My view on this is that the Elizabeth line was more transformative for Acton in terms of quality of public transport than it was for other parts of the borough, particularly Ealing Broadway which was already exceptionally well served. The property stock in the area has also been substantially upgraded during this period. Capital values have not risen as quickly which has left yields looking quite attractive at the moment but available stock is quite limited."

Marc von Grundherr, Director of Benham and Reeves, said, “The Elizabeth line has completely reshaped rental demand across large parts of London and the South East, connecting tenants to central London far faster and more conveniently than ever before.

“As a result, rental growth along the route has far exceeded the wider London average since the line launched which is saying something in a rental market as widely competitive as the capital.”