How much house can I afford in the UK?

Most UK lenders offer 4-4.5x your annual salary. With a £50,000 salary and £30,000 deposit, you could afford a £230,000-£255,000 house. Use our home affordability calculator for a personalised estimate based on your income, deposit, and monthly expenses.

What is the 28/36 rule for mortgages?

The 28/36 rule is a mortgage guideline: 28% of gross income on housing costs, and 36% on total debt (including mortgage). For a £50,000 salary: £1,166/month on housing, £1,500/month total debt. UK lenders typically follow similar affordability criteria.

How much deposit do I need to buy a house in the UK?

Most UK lenders require 5-10% deposit for first-time buyers, 15-20% for additional properties. £250,000 house needs £12,500 (5%) to £25,000 (10%). Larger deposits mean lower interest rates. 95% and 90% mortgage products are common for UK first-time buyers.

What income is needed for a £300,000 mortgage in the UK?

For a £300,000 mortgage, you typically need £66,000-£75,000 annual income (4-4.5x your salary). Plus a deposit of 10-15% (£30,000-£45,000). Total property price would be £330,000-£345,000. Use our calculator to check your specific situation.

Home Affordability Calculator UK - How Much House Can You Afford?

City/Region	Average Price	10% Deposit
London	£520,000	£52,000
South East	£380,000	£38,000
East of England	£330,000	£33,000
South West	£300,000	£30,000
North West	£220,000	£22,000
Yorkshire	£200,000	£20,000
Scotland	£190,000	£19,000
Wales	£180,000	£18,000

📝 Complete Guide to Home Affordability in the UK

This home affordability calculator UK helps you determine how much house you can afford based on your income, deposit, and monthly expenses. Understanding your affordability is the first step to successful home buying in the UK property market.

💰 How Much Can You Borrow?

UK mortgage lenders typically offer 4-4.5x your annual income. For example:

£50,000 salary: £200,000-£225,000 mortgage
£60,000 salary: £240,000-£270,000 mortgage
£75,000 salary: £300,000-£337,500 mortgage
£100,000 salary: £400,000-£450,000 mortgage

Some lenders offer 5-5.5x for high earners or specific professions.

🏦 Deposit Requirements

Your deposit affects both affordability and mortgage rates:

5% deposit: 95% LTV (limited options, higher rates)
10% deposit: 90% LTV (good options, competitive rates)
15% deposit: 85% LTV (better rates, more choice)
20%+ deposit: 80% LTV (best rates, full market access)

📊 The 28/36 Rule

Lenders use the 28/36 rule to assess affordability:

28%: Housing costs (mortgage + insurance) should not exceed 28% of gross income
36%: Total debt (mortgage + all other debts) should not exceed 36% of gross income
Example: £50,000 income = £1,166/month on housing, £1,500/month total debt

📈 UK Property Market Outlook (2026)

Current UK property market trends:

Average UK house price: £285,000 (up 3% year-on-year)
Mortgage rates: 4-5% for 5-year fixes
First-time buyers: 35% of market transactions
Average first-time buyer deposit: £25,000
Northern regions show strongest growth

💡 Tips to Improve Affordability

Increase Deposit: Larger deposit = lower monthly payments
Reduce Debts: Pay off loans and credit cards
Extend Mortgage Term: Longer term = lower monthly payments
Improve Credit Score: Better rates with higher credit score
Consider Help to Buy: Government schemes for first-time buyers
Joint Application: Combine incomes with partner

⚠️ Important Considerations

Factor in stamp duty, legal fees, and moving costs
Leave buffer for unexpected expenses
Consider future interest rate rises
Don't overstretch - leave room for lifestyle
Get a mortgage agreement in principle before viewing

Home Affordability Calculator UK

📊 Your Financial Details

📊 Affordability Breakdown

📊 UK Property Price Guide (2026)