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Clearview Research

The Mortgage Affordability Index

How far the average UK salary stretches across the housing market — and where buying a home is hardest. House prices and the base rate update automatically from official sources; last refreshed 24 June 2026.

In April 2026 the average UK home cost £270,080 — about 6.9× the UK median full-time salary of £39,039. In the East of England, where Clearview is based, the average reached £336,300 (~8.6× earnings) — among the least affordable regions outside London, an indicative £1,657 a month at a 4.35% rate.

Average UK home
£270,080
UK median salary
£39,039
Price to income
6.9×
BoE base rate
3.75%

House prices vs earnings, by region

Average house price compared with the UK median full-time salary of £39,039, with an indicative repayment on a 90% mortgage over 25 years at 4.35%.

RegionAvg house price× salary10% depositMonthly*
United Kingdom£270,0806.9×£27,008£1,330
England£291,4457.5×£29,145£1,436
East of EnglandClearview HQ£336,3008.6×£33,630£1,657
London£552,65514.2×£55,266£2,722
Wales£212,4895.4×£21,249£1,047
Scotland£191,9274.9×£19,193£945

*Indicative capital-and-interest repayment at 4.35% over 25 years on a 90% mortgage. Your actual rate depends on your deposit, circumstances and lender.

Key takeaways

  • The average UK home costs 6.9× the median full-time salary (£270,080 vs £39,039).
  • London remains least affordable at 14.2× earnings (£552,655 average).
  • The East of England averages £336,3008.6× earnings, among the highest outside London.
  • Scotland (£191,927) and Wales (£212,489) are the most affordable nations, near 5× earnings.
  • The Bank of England base rate is 3.75%, with the best two-year fix around 4.35%.
  • A 10% deposit ranges from £19,193 in Scotland to £55,266 in London.

Methodology & sources

House prices are regional averages from the HM Land Registry UK House Price Index for April 2026 (the latest release), fetched live. The Bank of England base rate is read live from the Bank's official series. Earnings use the UK median gross annual pay for full-time employees from the ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings 2025 (£39,039), applied as a common national benchmark so regions are compared on a like-for-like income basis. The affordability ratio is average house price ÷ that salary. Indicative monthly repayments assume a capital-and-interest mortgage over 25 years at 4.35% with a 10% deposit. This page refreshes automatically each week; figures last refreshed 24 June 2026.

This page is general market information, not personal mortgage advice, and is based on public data as at the dates shown. House prices and mortgage rates change frequently. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage.

See what you could afford

Averages are a starting point — your borrowing depends on your income, deposit and circumstances. Get a free, no-obligation figure from a Clearview adviser.