Linkable resource
UK Mortgage Affordability Tracker 2026
Last updated 14 April 2026 · Illustrative dataset only
This table is designed for digital PR and education: it shows how a simplified income-to-loan multiple might look across cities before lender-specific haircuts. Replace numbers with your own research before citing in regulated marketing.
Illustrative modelled borrowing band
“Model max borrow” uses a 4× gross income illustration only—no stress rate, no debts, no deposit logic. Real approvals from FCA-authorised lenders will differ materially.
| City / region | Illustrative income (£) | Model max borrow (£) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| London (inner) | 52,000 | 208,000 | High deposit assumptions often apply |
| Manchester | 38,000 | 152,000 | Uses simplified 4× income illustration |
| Birmingham | 36,000 | 144,000 | Excludes bonus/overtime haircuts |
| Leeds | 37,000 | 148,000 | Regional SDLT stack not shown here |
| Edinburgh | 39,000 | 156,000 | Scotland uses LBTT not SDLT |
| Cardiff | 35,000 | 140,000 | Welsh LTT differs from SDLT |
Methodology (for citations)
- Rounded fictional income anchors per city for demonstration—not live ONS exports.
- Model max borrow = illustrative income × 4, before tax, debts, deposit, SDLT, or stress rates.
- To produce publishable research, export ONS ASHE or regional income tables and apply your stress rules.
FAQ
Is this official lender or ONS data?
No. The table uses rounded illustrative incomes and a simple multiple for demonstration only. Journalists or brokers who want to cite data should replace values with independently verified sources or run their own models.
How should I use this page?
Treat it as a linkable methodology example showing how affordability varies when income changes city to city, then open the UK calculator to personalise every input.
Will you update this quarterly?
That is the roadmap: refresh illustrative bands when public income statistics and typical stress assumptions change. Check the last updated date below.