Brighton has officially overtaken London to become the least affordable city in Britain for property buyers, according to a new analysis of current housing stock and average earnings.
The research, which compares local salaries against property prices across major UK cities, found that just 8% of homes in Brighton fall within the purchasing power of the average local buyer — narrowly edging out London, where 9% of properties are considered affordable.
Nationally, affordability remains a major barrier for aspiring homeowners. With an average UK salary of £38,413, a mortgage based on 4.5 times income and a 15% deposit would allow a buyer to purchase a property priced at up to £203,363. However, only 23% of properties on the market across Britain fall within this price bracket.
In Brighton, the local average income of £38,248 equates to a maximum budget of £202,489 — making fewer than one in ten homes affordable. High house prices combined with average earnings have made the city Britain’s most challenging market for first-time buyers and those on modest incomes.
London, long associated with sky-high property prices, has now slipped to second place in the unaffordability rankings. Just 9% of homes in the capital are within reach of the average buyer, underscoring how limited options remain in one of the UK’s most in-demand markets.
Other difficult cities for buyers include:
• Bristol: 11% of properties affordable
• Leicester and Nottingham: 14% each
• Manchester and Edinburgh: 20% each
liverpool offers a glimmer of hope
In stark contrast, Liverpool stands out as the most affordable major city in Britain. With an average local budget of £180,911, buyers there can access nearly 47% of the market — offering a far more accessible route to homeownership compared to the South.
The study highlights the widening disconnect between income levels and house prices, particularly in southern and coastal cities where demand remains high but wage growth has not kept pace.
“Affordability isn’t just about property values,” explains Jonathan Samuels, CEO of Octane Capital. “Income levels and mortgage eligibility play a critical role. Brighton has become particularly challenging, surpassing London as the least affordable city in terms of housing availability for the average buyer. Without significant wage increases or policy interventions, this gap is only likely to widen.”
The findings underline growing regional disparities in the UK housing market. While northern and regional cities such as Liverpool, Glasgow and Newcastle offer relative affordability, buyers in places like Brighton, London and Bristol are increasingly priced out.
With affordability shrinking even in traditionally more accessible areas, the data adds further weight to calls for:
• Affordable housing schemes targeted at key regional markets
• Policies to support first-time buyers, including mortgage assistance
• Broader economic measures to drive real wage growth
For now, buyers seeking value are being pushed further afield — or up against tough compromises on size, location or property condition.
