Cumberland tops UK affordability rankings, research finds
Sell House Fast assessed locations across the UK using factors including median annual earnings, housing affordability, rental costs and the availability of budget supermarkets.
Cumberland is the UK’s most affordable place to live, according to research from Sell House Fast, as rising property prices and household bills continue to put pressure on household finances.
The study assessed locations across the UK using factors including median annual earnings, housing affordability, rental costs and the availability of budget supermarkets.
Cumberland topped the rankings with an affordability score of 9.07 out of 10.
The area has a median annual salary of £33,840 and an average house price of £172,186, resulting in a house price-to-income ratio of 5.09.
Estimated mortgage repayments leave homeowners with 73.67% of their annual income, while renters retain 76.38%.
North Lanarkshire ranked second with a score of 8.66, benefiting from median annual earnings of £34,105 and an average house price of £150,599.
The area recorded one of the lowest house price-to-income ratios in the rankings at 4.42.
Doncaster and Burnley shared third place with affordability scores of 8.50.
Doncaster combined median earnings of £31,119 with average annual rents of £8,268, while Burnley was highlighted for its average house price of £129,556.
Barnsley, Middlesbrough, Hartlepool, County Durham, Darlington and Hyndburn completed the top 10.
Jack Malnick, managing director at Sell House Fast, said: “One of the biggest misconceptions is that moving somewhere with higher salaries automatically leaves you better off. Our findings show that’s often not the case.
“In many northern areas, wages may be slightly lower than in London or the South East, but significantly cheaper housing means households keep much more of what they earn each month. That difference can have a much bigger impact on long-term financial security than salary alone.”
Malnick added: “People often focus on house prices alone when comparing different locations, but affordability is much broader than that. Areas where earnings remain competitive, housing costs stay proportionate and essential services are widely available tend to offer the best long-term value, particularly for first-time buyers and families planning their next move.
“Affordability tends to be driven by balance rather than any single metric. Areas that perform well consistently combine sensible property values, reasonable earnings and lower day-to-day costs.
“That’s important because buyers aren’t just budgeting for a mortgage anymore. They’re also considering transport, food shopping and other regular expenses before deciding where to move.”
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