Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAverage salaries are far below what is needed to get a mortgage in many places (Getty/iStock)New analysis for The Independent highlights a disparity between average salaries and the income required to secure a first-time buyer mortgage in major UK cities. Figures from Joseph Lane at Mortgage Lane indicate that in London, a buyer needs to earn roughly £94,200 to purchase an average first home, based on a lender allowing 4.5 times their salary. This figure is considerably higher than the capital's average salary of around £40,000, meaning even dual-income couples on average pay struggle to meet mortgage thresholds, even with a 10 per cent deposit.Other UK cities also show substantial income requirements, with Bristol needing approximately £63,000, Manchester £46,600, Liverpool £38,000, and Glasgow £36,600. Joseph Lane said: “Of course, a deposit plays an instrumental role in getting onto the property ladder, but affordability has quietly been dominating the 2026 scene. Ultimately, buyers are finding themselves priced out as their salaries haven’t kept up with the rise of house prices.”In fullRevealed: How much you need to earn in top UK cities to get on the housing ladderThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
How much you need to earn to buy your first home in major UK cities
Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleAverage salaries are far below what is needed to get a mortgage in many places (Getty/iStock)New analysis for The Independent highlights a disparity between average salaries and the income required to secure a first-time buyer mortgage in major UK cities. Figures from Joseph Lane at Mortgage Lane indicate that in London, a buyer needs to earn roughly £94,200 to purchase an average first home, based on a lender allowing 4.5 times their salary. This figure is considerably higher than the capital's average salary of around £40,000, meaning even dual-income couples on average pay struggle to meet mortgage thresholds, even with a 10 per cent deposit.Other UK cities also show substantial income requirements, with Bristol needing approximately £63,000, Manchester £46,600, Liverpool £38,000, and Glasgow £36,600. Joseph Lane said: “Of course, a deposit plays an instrumental role in getting onto the property ladder, but affordability has quietly been dominating the 2026 scene. Ultimately, buyers are finding themselves priced out as their salaries haven’t kept up with the rise of house prices.”In fullRevealed: How much you need to earn in top UK cities to get on the housing ladderThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in
