Revealed - England’s Least and Most Affordable Rental Locations

A new analysis has produced a league table of the most and least affordable rental locations in England.

The findings placed Rutland at the pinnacle of affordability, securing an impressive score of 85 out of 100.

Following closely were Hartlepool, Kingston upon Hull, Warrington, and Stoke-on-Trent. On the flip side, Westminster landed at the bottom of the list, managing a score of a mere 40.

The rankings considered key metrics such as Median Monthly Gross Pay, All Categories Median Rent, Median Rent Percentage Change from the Previous Year, and the Rent to Wage Ratio. Each metric was weighted according to its significance.

The Homestratosphere service examined each county and unitary district in England based on certain factors, giving each a score up to 100. These scores were then combined to produce a final rating between 0 and 100. 

The information was sourced from the Office for National Statistics.

Top 20 Most Affordable Rental Locations in England 

1. Rutland (East Midlands)
Rutland leads the list with a final score of 85. Residents here boast a median monthly wage of £2600. The median rent for the period from April 2022 to March 2023 was £775, showing a decrease of 3.7% from the previous year. This results in a rent-to-wage ratio of 29.8%.

2. Hartlepool (North East)
In second place, Hartlepool has a score of 82.1. The median monthly wage is £2158, and residents pay around £495 for rent. Over the past year, rent has slightly increased by 0.6%, leading to a rent-to-wage ratio of 22.9%.

3. Kingston upon Hull, City of (Yorkshire and The Humber)
With a score of 81.7, this city sees an average monthly wage of £2020. The median rent is £450, remaining unchanged from the previous year, making the rent-to-wage ratio 22.3%.

4. Warrington (North West)
Warrington scores 81.1, with residents earning a median monthly wage of £2322. The median rent here is £650, and it remained stable over the past year, resulting in a rent-to-wage ratio of 28%.

5. Stoke-on-Trent (West Midlands)
With a score of 80.9, Stoke-on-Trent residents earn around £2052 monthly. The median rent is £500, which hasn't seen any change over the year. This results in a rent-to-wage ratio of 24.4%.

6. Wokingham (South East)
Scoring 80.5, Wokingham residents earn a median monthly wage of £2960. Rent costs them about £1100, with no yearly change, giving a rent-to-wage ratio of 37.2%.

7. St. Helens (North West)
With a score of 80.2, residents in St. Helens earn £2372 monthly. The median rent stands at £575, an increase of 4.6% from the previous year. The rent-to-wage ratio is 24.2%.

8. Warwickshire (West Midlands)
Tied in eighth place with a score of 79.8, Warwickshire sees a median monthly wage of £2504. Rent is priced at £800, a minor increase of 0.6% over the year. This leads to a rent-to-wage ratio of 32%.

9. Derby (East Midlands)
Also with a score of 79.8, Derby residents earn an average of £2191 monthly. They pay around £625 in rent, which hasn't changed over the past year. This results in a rent-to-wage ratio of 28.5%.

10. East Riding of Yorkshire (Yorkshire and The Humber)
With a score of 79.5, residents here earn a median monthly wage of £2320. The rent stands at £575, a 4.6% increase from the previous year. The rent-to-wage ratio is 24.8%.

11. North Tyneside (North East)
Scoring 79.3, North Tyneside sees a median monthly wage of £2287. Rent is priced at £595, a 3.5% increase over the year, leading to a rent-to-wage ratio of 26%.

12. Bradford (Yorkshire and The Humber)
With a score of 79.1, residents in Bradford earn around £2065 monthly. Rent costs £575, with no yearly change, making the rent-to-wage ratio 27.9%.

13. County Durham (North East)
County Durham scores 78.8, with residents earning a median monthly wage of £2118. The rent here is £495, a 4.2% increase from the previous year. This results in a rent-to-wage ratio of 23.4%.

14. Cumbria (North West)
Also scoring 78.8, Cumbria residents earn about £2216 monthly. The rent stands at £570, a 3.6% increase over the year, leading to a rent-to-wage ratio of 25.7%.

15. North Lincolnshire (Yorkshire and The Humber)
With a score of 78.5, North Lincolnshire sees residents earning a median monthly wage of £2217. They pay £550 for rent, a 4.8% increase over the past year. This gives a rent-to-wage ratio of 24.8%.

16. Central Bedfordshire (East of England)
Scoring 78.3, Central Bedfordshire residents earn around £2739 monthly. Rent costs them £910, a 4% yearly increase, resulting in a rent-to-wage ratio of 33.2%.

17. Barnsley (Yorkshire and The Humber)
Barnsley comes next with a score of 78.2. Residents here earn a median monthly wage of £2137. The rent is priced at £500, which has increased by 5.3% over the past year. This results in a rent-to-wage ratio of 23.4%.

18. Doncaster (Yorkshire and The Humber)
Matching Barnsley's score of 78.2, Doncaster residents earn an average of £2140 per month. They pay around £545 in rent, which has seen a 3.8% increase from the previous year. This leads to a rent-to-wage ratio of 25.5%.

19. Wigan (North West)
Wigan has a score of 77.7. The residents here boast a median monthly wage of £2165. The rent is priced at £550, which has increased by 4.8% from the previous year, resulting in a rent-to-wage ratio of 25.4%.

20. Darlington (North East)
Rounding off the top 20 is Darlington with a score of 77.5. The residents earn a median monthly wage of £2088. Rent here is priced at £500, marking a 5.3% increase from the previous year. This culminates in a rent-to-wage ratio of 24%.
 

Top 20 Least Affordable Rental Locations in England

1. Westminster (London)
Westminster, London, ranked 147th, sees its residents earning a median monthly wage of £3,195. However, the rent, priced at a significant £2,455 and having risen by an astounding 22.80% from the previous year, forms 76.80% of their monthly income. The district's score stands at 40, making it the last on this list.

2. Kensington and Chelsea (London)
At the 146th position is Kensington and Chelsea, London. Here, the median monthly wage is £3,086 against an incredibly high rent of £2,500, marking a rise of 13.70% from the prior year. This translates to a jaw-dropping 81.00% of the median wage. The final score for this affluent district stands at 43.7.

3. Camden (London)
Ranking 145th is Camden, London, where the monthly wage averages at £2,989. The rent, priced considerably higher at £1,950, has escalated by 11.40%. This marks the rent-to-wage ratio at a staggering 65.20%, with a final score of 54.9 for the region.

4. Hackney (London)
Hackney, London, ranked 144th, sees residents with a median monthly pay of £2,702. With rent priced at £1,750, which has risen by 9.40% since the prior year, it accounts for 64.80% of the wage. The district achieves a score of 55.4.

5. Brighton and Hove (South East)
In the 143rd position is Brighton and Hove, South East, where residents earn a median monthly wage of £2,259. The rent stands at £1,250, a 13.60% increase year-on-year, equating to 55.30% of their monthly earnings. The region's final score is 55.5.

6. Southwark (London)
Holding the rank of 142 is Southwark, London with a monthly wage of £2,904. Rent, set at £1,800, has seen a significant rise of 12.50% from the previous year, making up 62.00% of the wage. This area's final score is 55.7.

7. Merton (London)
Merton, London is ranked 141st with residents earning an average monthly wage of £2,508. Rent, priced at £1,600 and having risen by 8.50% from the last year, forms 63.80% of their monthly income. The region's score stands at 55.8.

8. Bristol (City of South West)
In the 140th spot is Bristol, City of, South West. Here, the median monthly wage is £2,417, and rent is priced at £1,295. This rent has risen by an astonishing 15.10% since the last year, translating to 53.60% of the wage. The area has a final score of 56.2.

9. Bath and North East Somerset (South West)
Ranking 139th is Bath and North East Somerset, South West, where residents have a median monthly income of £2,290 and pay around £1,195 for rent. The rent has surged by 13.80% from the prior year, making up 52.20% of the wage, leading to a score of 57.3.

10. Barnet (London)
For Barnet, London, which holds the 138th rank, the average monthly wage is £2,702 against a consistent rent of £1,500, marking a rise of 11.10% since the previous year. This results in a rent-to-wage ratio of 55.50%, and the final score for the region is 59.6.

11. Brent (London)
Brent, London, occupying the 137th position, sees residents earning £2,436 monthly. With a rent of £1,500, which has increased by 3.50%, this marks the rent-to-wage ratio at 61.60%. The district's final score is 60.4.

12. Ealing (London)
In Ealing, London, ranking 136th, the monthly wage averages at £2,604, while rent stands at £1,500, having risen by 7.10%. This equates to a staggering 57.60% of the monthly earnings, and its score is 60.8.

13. South Gloucestershire (South West)
South Gloucestershire, South West is ranked 135th with an average monthly wage of £2,387 against a rent of £1,085, which has skyrocketed by 14.20% from the last year, making up 45.50% of the wage. The final score for this region is 61.3.

14. Tower Hamlets (London)
Tower Hamlets, London, occupies the 134th spot. Residents earn a median of £3,112 monthly. The rent, priced at £1,750, has risen by 11.10% since the prior year, translating to 56.20% of the wage. The region has a score of 61.3.

15. West Sussex (South East)
Ranked 133 is West Sussex, South East. Here, residents earn £2,317 monthly and pay £1,050 as rent. The rent has surged by 13.50%, making it 45.30% of the wage, resulting in a final score of 61.4.

16. Redbridge (London)
Holding rank 132 is Redbridge, London with a median monthly pay of £2,520. Rent, which has escalated significantly by 7.80% from the last year, is priced at £1,348 and forms 53.50% of their monthly income. The region's final score is 62.2.

17. Haringey (London)
Haringey, London residents, ranked 131, earn an average monthly wage of £2,607 and pay around £1,500 in rent, a rise of 5.30% from the previous year. This equates to a rent-to-wage ratio of 57.

18. Islington (London)
Coming in at 130th is Islington, London. Here, the median monthly wage is £3,034. Rent is notably higher, set at £1,795, having seen a significant rise of 5.60% from the prior year. This translates to 59.20% of the monthly wage being allocated for rent. The area's score is 63.2.

19. Enfield (London)
Ranking 129th is Enfield, London. Residents in this area earn a median monthly pay of £2,429, while the rent stands at £1,350. This marks a 3.90% rise in rent from the last year, amounting to 55.60% of their income. The final score for Enfield is 63.5.

20. Barking and Dagenham (London)
In the 128th position is Barking and Dagenham, London. Here, residents receive an average monthly wage of £2,321. With rent priced at £1,300, having risen by 2.00% from last year, it accounts for 56.00% of their monthly wage. Barking and Dagenham's final score is 64.1.

* Research by housing specialists at homestratosphere.com *

Want to comment on this story? Our focus is on providing a platform for you to share your insights and views and we welcome contributions.
If any post is considered to victimise, harass, degrade or intimidate an individual or group of individuals, then the post may be deleted and the individual immediately banned from posting in future.
Please help us by reporting comments you consider to be unduly offensive so we can review and take action if necessary. Thank you.