Dover is the most affordable town for homebuyers in the South East (Picture: Getty Images)
Data from Zoopla’s November 2025 report highlights a pronounced geographic polarisation in UK housing affordability.
The findings reveal that, on average, two earners looking to buy a home can expect to pay 4.4 times their average combined annual earnings — slightly lower than 4.5 times in 2024.
But areas like Scotland and the North East of England offer much better value.
The affordability of these regions stands in sharp contrast to hotspots in the South East, such as Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, where property prices exceed £1 million.
This is more than 15 times the average household income and marks Beaconsfield as the UK’s least affordable town based on price-to-earnings ratio.
Such disparities vividly illustrate the housing affordability pressures weighing down potential homeowners in the South of England.
The most affordable town in each UK region
The most affordable town across Great Britain is Shildon, in County Durham, where the median property price is just £73,900.
Remarkably, this equates to a little over one year’s combined salary for an average two-earner household, underscoring exceptional accessibility for local buyers.
Other towns reinforcing this north-south divide include Workington, in Cumbria, with a home price to income ratio of 1.8.
Similarly, Cumnock in Scotland, where average home values hover around £83,700, exemplifies the comparatively easier conditions for potential buyers in northern regions.
In the South of England, even the most affordable towns of Dover and Cinderford demand prospective buyers earn more than three and a half times their combined yearly salary to afford an average home.
This ratio highlights the acute affordability challenge for single-earner households in these areas, where, despite moderate improvements, housing remains largely out of reach for many.
More Trending
-
Why the mansion tax might sting you even if you live in a two-bed semi
Channel: Politics Politics 1 day ago By Alex Daniel - I want to delay my house purchase until the Budget — is a stamp duty gamble worth it?
- House prices are now so high that 90% of UK earners can’t afford to buy
- England's top area for high-performing schools revealed — and it’s in London
Such high ownership costs have fueled a rapid rise in rental prices across the country, reflecting broader affordability and supply constraints that continue to shape the UK housing market.
Experts note that these affordability constraints are prompting buyers to search beyond traditional hotspots.
Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla, remarked: ‘A growing number of buyers are having to look further afield to find better value for money.’
Deals of the Day
Boots Black Friday deals are live – shop top offers on fragrance, gift sets and more!
I found the ultimate pair of loafers you don’t need to break in
Breakdown drama? There’s an app for that – and it gets you help in minutes
Emma is celebrating 10 years of better sleep with free bedding bundles worth hundreds!
Sick of shaving? This at-home device will save you hundreds on hair removal
Scotland and the North of England’s relative affordability may therefore represent an opportunity for households in seeking a foothold on the property ladder, without bearing the financial strain seen in more expensive southern areas.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing [email protected].
Arrow MORE: The ‘quiet’ commuter village with houses £60,000 cheaper than London
Arrow MORE: ‘Winter of rats’ is coming for London homes — and knocking £53,000 off value
Arrow MORE: £110,000,000 ‘giga-mansion’ to become one of London’s most expensive homes
Comment now Comments Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google Add as preferred source The KeySign up for must-read property stories, DIY hacks and tips for buying a home.
Postcode ? Email I agree to receive newsletters from Metro I agree to receive newsletters from Metro Sign UpSign UpThis site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. Your information will be used in line with our Privacy Policy
