What is the Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio (GMAR)?

The GMAR is computed as: average (mean) house price ÷ (median gross annual income × 4.5). A GMAR below 1 means the typical property is within reach at a 4.5× income multiple; above 1 means the price exceeds what a typical earner could borrow at that multiple. The 4.5× multiple is illustrative — it is not the criteria of any specific lender. House prices from HM Land Registry (April 2026, OGL v3.0). Income from ONS ASHE Table 8.7a (April 2025, OGL v3.0).

Which local authority in England has the most affordable housing in 2026?

Burnley has England's lowest GMAR (0.97) as of April 2026. The average (mean) house price in Burnley was £129,556 (HM Land Registry, April 2026) against a median gross annual income of £29,680 (ONS ASHE, April 2025), giving a GMAR of 0.97. Source: Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio, computed from HM Land Registry and ONS data (OGL v3.0).

Which local authority in England has the least affordable housing in 2026?

Kensington and Chelsea has the highest GMAR (6.06) as of April 2026. The average (mean) house price was £1,272,760 (HM Land Registry) against a median income of £46,690 (ONS ASHE), giving a GMAR of 6.06 — meaning the average price is 6.06× what a typical earner could borrow at a 4.5× income multiple. Source: Gera (OGL v3.0).

What does the illustrative monthly repayment figure mean?

The illustrative monthly repayment on each area page assumes 75% LTV (25% deposit on the average price), a 3.75% annual rate (Bank of England Bank Rate, held at June 2026 MPC decision), and a 25-year capital repayment term. This is contextual — it is NOT a mortgage offer, not a lender's rate, and not a stress test. Actual mortgages use lender-specific rates which may be higher or lower. Always get a personalised quote from an FCA-regulated adviser.

How does the GMAR differ from the ONS house price-to-earnings ratio?

The ONS publishes an annual house price-to-earnings ratio (HPE ratio) using median residence-based earnings. The GMAR uses the same ONS ASHE residence-based median, but divides by (income × 4.5) — the 4.5× factor converts the income to an illustrative borrowing capacity, making GMAR a measure of whether the typical earner can borrow enough, rather than just a price-to-income multiple. A GMAR of 1.0 means the property equals exactly the illustrative max borrow.

How often is the GMAR data updated?

HM Land Registry UK HPI data is published monthly (with a 2-month lag). ONS ASHE earnings data is published annually (April reference period, released October). BoE Bank Rate changes as the MPC decides. Gera updates this dataset when new HPI and ASHE releases are published. The current data reflects HPI April 2026 and ASHE April 2025 (2025 provisional).

GeraCash / Mortgage affordability

UK Mortgage Affordability by Local Authority 2026

The Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio (GMAR) for 294 English local authorities, computed from real HM Land Registry prices and ONS ASHE earnings. Illustrative monthly repayments use Bank of England Bank Rate 3.75% (June 2026 MPC decision) — not a lender's product rate.

Illustrative context only.Monthly repayments use BoE Bank Rate 3.75% as an open reference — not a lender's rate. The 4.5× income multiple is illustrative, not a specific lender's criteria. Not financial advice.

How affordable is buying a home in England in 2026?

Across 294 English local authorities, the median Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio (GMAR) is 2.05 as of April 2026, using HM Land Registry prices and ONS ASHE earnings. Burnley is England's most affordable area (GMAR 0.97, average price £129,556), while Kensington and Chelsea is the least affordable (GMAR 6.06, average price £1,272,760). Illustrative monthly repayments use the Bank of England Bank Rate of 3.75% (June 2026). Sources: HM Land Registry, ONS, Bank of England (OGL v3.0).

Source:HM Land Registry — UK House Price Index (full file, April 2026)·as of April 2026updated monthly (last: 20 June 2026)

Most affordable

Burnley

GMAR 0.97

Least affordable

Kensington and Chelsea

GMAR 6.06

Median England GMAR

2.05

across 294 LAs

BoE Bank Rate (Jun 2026)

3.75%

illustrative reference

20 most affordable local authorities in England (GMAR, April 2026)

Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio — 20 most affordable English local authorities. Sources: HM Land Registry HPI April 2026 + ONS ASHE April 2025 (OGL v3.0).
Local authority	Average price	Median income	GMAR	Monthly repayment*	Category
Burnley	£129,556	£29,680	0.97	£500/mo	Affordable
Hartlepool	£129,129	£28,830	1	£498/mo	Affordable
Middlesbrough	£139,005	£30,253	1.02	£536/mo	Affordable
County Durham	£138,767	£29,718	1.04	£535/mo	Affordable
Hyndburn	£139,800	£29,647	1.05	£539/mo	Affordable
Blackpool	£134,732	£27,979	1.07	£520/mo	Affordable
City of Kingston upon Hull	£135,051	£27,309	1.1	£521/mo	Affordable
Cumberland	£172,186	£33,840	1.13	£664/mo	Affordable
Sunderland	£145,293	£27,989	1.15	£560/mo	Affordable
North East Lincolnshire	£149,911	£28,898	1.15	£578/mo	Affordable
Stoke-on-Trent	£152,101	£29,041	1.16	£586/mo	Affordable
Darlington	£156,880	£30,100	1.16	£605/mo	Affordable
Gateshead	£158,885	£29,494	1.2	£613/mo	Affordable
Redcar and Cleveland	£154,422	£28,630	1.2	£595/mo	Affordable
South Tyneside	£156,931	£28,784	1.21	£605/mo	Affordable
Barnsley	£173,100	£31,359	1.23	£667/mo	Affordable
Doncaster	£173,624	£31,119	1.24	£669/mo	Affordable
Pendle	£150,737	£26,742	1.25	£581/mo	Affordable
Stockton-on-Tees	£169,540	£29,877	1.26	£654/mo	Affordable
St Helens	£184,470	£31,443	1.3	£711/mo	Affordable

* Monthly repayment: illustrative capital + interest at BoE Bank Rate 3.75%, 25% deposit (75% LTV), 25-year term. Not a lender's rate.

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20 least affordable local authorities in England (GMAR, April 2026)

Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio — 20 least affordable English local authorities. Sources: HM Land Registry HPI April 2026 + ONS ASHE April 2025 (OGL v3.0).
Local authority	Average price	Median income	GMAR	Monthly repayment*	Category
Kensington and Chelsea	£1,272,760	£46,690	6.06	£4,908/mo	Unaffordable
City of Westminster	£814,679	£45,172	4.01	£3,141/mo	Stretched
Camden	£794,527	£44,088	4	£3,064/mo	Stretched
Elmbridge	£741,058	£42,607	3.87	£2,858/mo	Stretched
Hammersmith and Fulham	£741,612	£42,811	3.85	£2,860/mo	Stretched
Richmond upon Thames	£794,027	£46,594	3.79	£3,062/mo	Stretched
Haringey	£629,835	£37,563	3.73	£2,429/mo	Stretched
Brent	£547,995	£34,871	3.49	£2,113/mo	Stretched
Sevenoaks	£547,936	£34,969	3.48	£2,113/mo	Stretched
Ealing	£556,675	£35,665	3.47	£2,147/mo	Stretched
Mole Valley	£546,970	£35,341	3.44	£2,109/mo	Stretched
Hertsmere	£554,663	£36,159	3.41	£2,139/mo	Stretched
Hackney	£612,501	£40,237	3.38	£2,362/mo	Stretched
Windsor and Maidenhead	£565,201	£37,653	3.34	£2,179/mo	Stretched
Barnet	£587,297	£39,239	3.33	£2,265/mo	Stretched
Tandridge	£498,766	£33,316	3.33	£1,923/mo	Stretched
Chichester	£427,112	£28,585	3.32	£1,647/mo	Stretched
Harrow	£527,239	£36,000	3.25	£2,033/mo	Stretched
Three Rivers	£579,240	£39,615	3.25	£2,234/mo	Stretched
Hounslow	£497,276	£35,301	3.13	£1,917/mo	Stretched

Affordability breakdown

Based on GMAR categories across 294 local authorities (April 2026):

Affordable

267

local authorities

Stretched

local authorities

Unaffordable

local authorities

Severely unaffordable

local authorities

Affordable = GMAR ≤ 3.0 | Stretched = 3.0–5.0 | Unaffordable = 5.0–7.0 | Severely unaffordable = > 7.0

Browse all 294 local authorities

BurnleyGMAR 0.97 HartlepoolGMAR 1 MiddlesbroughGMAR 1.02 County DurhamGMAR 1.04 HyndburnGMAR 1.05 BlackpoolGMAR 1.07 City of Kingston upon HullGMAR 1.1 CumberlandGMAR 1.13 SunderlandGMAR 1.15 North East LincolnshireGMAR 1.15 Stoke-on-TrentGMAR 1.16 DarlingtonGMAR 1.16 GatesheadGMAR 1.2 Redcar and ClevelandGMAR 1.2 South TynesideGMAR 1.21 BarnsleyGMAR 1.23 DoncasterGMAR 1.24 PendleGMAR 1.25 Stockton-on-TeesGMAR 1.26 St HelensGMAR 1.3 KnowsleyGMAR 1.32 LiverpoolGMAR 1.32 North LincolnshireGMAR 1.33 Blackburn with DarwenGMAR 1.34 CalderdaleGMAR 1.34 WiganGMAR 1.34 FyldeGMAR 1.37 LincolnGMAR 1.38 RossendaleGMAR 1.38 BolsoverGMAR 1.39 WyreGMAR 1.39 South RibbleGMAR 1.4 PrestonGMAR 1.41 North TynesideGMAR 1.41 ChorleyGMAR 1.42 Newcastle-under-LymeGMAR 1.42 RotherhamGMAR 1.43 HaltonGMAR 1.44 LancasterGMAR 1.45 WirralGMAR 1.46 WakefieldGMAR 1.46 MansfieldGMAR 1.46 Westmorland and FurnessGMAR 1.46 BradfordGMAR 1.47 CoventryGMAR 1.47 ChesterfieldGMAR 1.48 RugbyGMAR 1.48 NorthumberlandGMAR 1.49 City of DerbyGMAR 1.5 AshfieldGMAR 1.51 KirkleesGMAR 1.51 BoltonGMAR 1.51 BostonGMAR 1.51 GosportGMAR 1.51 TamworthGMAR 1.52 West LindseyGMAR 1.52 WolverhamptonGMAR 1.53 East Riding of YorkshireGMAR 1.53 ErewashGMAR 1.54 Newcastle upon TyneGMAR 1.54 SheffieldGMAR 1.55 Nuneaton and BedworthGMAR 1.55 IpswichGMAR 1.55 Telford and WrekinGMAR 1.56 TamesideGMAR 1.58 East StaffordshireGMAR 1.58 SouthamptonGMAR 1.58 RochdaleGMAR 1.59 Great YarmouthGMAR 1.6 City of NottinghamGMAR 1.61 OldhamGMAR 1.62 South DerbyshireGMAR 1.62 Staffordshire MoorlandsGMAR 1.62 WalsallGMAR 1.64 BuryGMAR 1.64 BassetlawGMAR 1.65 WarringtonGMAR 1.65 DudleyGMAR 1.66 City of PlymouthGMAR 1.66 South HollandGMAR 1.66 SeftonGMAR 1.66 FenlandGMAR 1.66 Cannock ChaseGMAR 1.67 NorwichGMAR 1.68 SalfordGMAR 1.69 West LancashireGMAR 1.69 North WarwickshireGMAR 1.69 WorcesterGMAR 1.7 Amber ValleyGMAR 1.7 SandwellGMAR 1.71 RutlandGMAR 1.71 North NorthamptonshireGMAR 1.72 High PeakGMAR 1.72 TorbayGMAR 1.72 StaffordGMAR 1.73 LeedsGMAR 1.73 BirminghamGMAR 1.74 Wyre ForestGMAR 1.74 GloucesterGMAR 1.75 SwindonGMAR 1.75 City of PeterboroughGMAR 1.76 Newark and SherwoodGMAR 1.76 Forest of DeanGMAR 1.76 East LindseyGMAR 1.77 North KestevenGMAR 1.79 BroxtoweGMAR 1.79 PortsmouthGMAR 1.8 North East DerbyshireGMAR 1.8 EastbourneGMAR 1.8 GedlingGMAR 1.8 DoverGMAR 1.8 HastingsGMAR 1.81 Cheshire West and ChesterGMAR 1.82 CharnwoodGMAR 1.83 Ribble ValleyGMAR 1.83 ManchesterGMAR 1.83 FarehamGMAR 1.86 LeicesterGMAR 1.87 Hinckley and BosworthGMAR 1.87 RedditchGMAR 1.89 King's Lynn and West Norfolk GMAR 1.89 SwaleGMAR 1.92 TendringGMAR 1.92 MedwayGMAR 1.93 North YorkshireGMAR 1.96 Milton KeynesGMAR 1.96 North West LeicestershireGMAR 1.97 BlabyGMAR 1.97 West NorthamptonshireGMAR 1.97 EastleighGMAR 1.97 South KestevenGMAR 1.98 West SuffolkGMAR 1.98 StevenageGMAR 1.98 Cheshire EastGMAR 1.98 Isle of WightGMAR 1.98 SolihullGMAR 2 ThurrockGMAR 2.01 WorthingGMAR 2.02 BromsgroveGMAR 2.03 Mid DevonGMAR 2.03 Oadby and WigstonGMAR 2.03 BedfordGMAR 2.04 Folkestone and HytheGMAR 2.04 TorridgeGMAR 2.04 BraintreeGMAR 2.04 CheltenhamGMAR 2.05 HuntingdonshireGMAR 2.05 Basingstoke and DeaneGMAR 2.05 RushcliffeGMAR 2.05 StockportGMAR 2.06 SomersetGMAR 2.06 ThanetGMAR 2.07 WarwickGMAR 2.08 YorkGMAR 2.08 East SuffolkGMAR 2.08 ShropshireGMAR 2.1 RushmoorGMAR 2.1 ColchesterGMAR 2.1 BrecklandGMAR 2.11 North SomersetGMAR 2.11 South NorfolkGMAR 2.11 DartfordGMAR 2.12 SloughGMAR 2.12 South GloucestershireGMAR 2.15 South StaffordshireGMAR 2.16 CherwellGMAR 2.16 Southend-on-SeaGMAR 2.16 ReadingGMAR 2.16 ExeterGMAR 2.16 Bournemouth Christchurch and PooleGMAR 2.17 GraveshamGMAR 2.17 North DevonGMAR 2.17 HerefordshireGMAR 2.18 Central BedfordshireGMAR 2.18 CornwallGMAR 2.18 North HertfordshireGMAR 2.19 LutonGMAR 2.19 HarboroughGMAR 2.19 East CambridgeshireGMAR 2.19 CrawleyGMAR 2.2 LichfieldGMAR 2.21 TeignbridgeGMAR 2.22 Mid SuffolkGMAR 2.23 North NorfolkGMAR 2.23 Castle PointGMAR 2.25 BroadlandGMAR 2.25 TewkesburyGMAR 2.25 South CambridgeshireGMAR 2.25 Tower HamletsGMAR 2.25 HavantGMAR 2.27 Derbyshire DalesGMAR 2.27 WiltshireGMAR 2.27 East HertfordshireGMAR 2.29 StroudGMAR 2.29 DorsetGMAR 2.3 HarlowGMAR 2.31 West BerkshireGMAR 2.31 MaidstoneGMAR 2.31 CroydonGMAR 2.31 City of BristolGMAR 2.31 BasildonGMAR 2.32 WatfordGMAR 2.32 RochfordGMAR 2.35 AshfordGMAR 2.35 Test ValleyGMAR 2.36 ChelmsfordGMAR 2.37 Vale of White HorseGMAR 2.38 TraffordGMAR 2.38 MeltonGMAR 2.39 East DevonGMAR 2.39 ArunGMAR 2.4 South OxfordshireGMAR 2.41 BaberghGMAR 2.41 WychavonGMAR 2.42 East HampshireGMAR 2.42 Barking and DagenhamGMAR 2.43 NewhamGMAR 2.43 HaveringGMAR 2.44 BroxbourneGMAR 2.45 Bracknell ForestGMAR 2.45 BexleyGMAR 2.46 UttlesfordGMAR 2.47 WokinghamGMAR 2.48 RotherGMAR 2.48 LewesGMAR 2.5 CanterburyGMAR 2.5 Stratford-on-AvonGMAR 2.51 GreenwichGMAR 2.53 RunnymedeGMAR 2.53 WokingGMAR 2.54 Mid SussexGMAR 2.55 Tonbridge and MallingGMAR 2.55 SpelthorneGMAR 2.56 West DevonGMAR 2.57 WealdenGMAR 2.59 SuttonGMAR 2.62 Surrey HeathGMAR 2.62 AdurGMAR 2.62 New ForestGMAR 2.62 BromleyGMAR 2.63 West OxfordshireGMAR 2.63 HorshamGMAR 2.64 CotswoldGMAR 2.64 CambridgeGMAR 2.65 MaldonGMAR 2.66 HartGMAR 2.67 WinchesterGMAR 2.68 Brighton and HoveGMAR 2.69 Malvern HillsGMAR 2.7 Welwyn HatfieldGMAR 2.72 Bath and North East SomersetGMAR 2.74 DacorumGMAR 2.75 Reigate and BansteadGMAR 2.76 LewishamGMAR 2.76 South HamsGMAR 2.8 Tunbridge WellsGMAR 2.82 LambethGMAR 2.84 HillingdonGMAR 2.87 OxfordGMAR 2.89 BrentwoodGMAR 2.92 GuildfordGMAR 2.92 Epsom and EwellGMAR 2.93 BuckinghamshireGMAR 2.96 EnfieldGMAR 2.96 SouthwarkGMAR 2.96 WaverleyGMAR 2.98 RedbridgeGMAR 3 MertonGMAR 3.02 WandsworthGMAR 3.02 Kingston upon ThamesGMAR 3.03 Epping ForestGMAR 3.05 Waltham ForestGMAR 3.07 St AlbansGMAR 3.08 IslingtonGMAR 3.12 HounslowGMAR 3.13 Three RiversGMAR 3.25 HarrowGMAR 3.25 ChichesterGMAR 3.32 TandridgeGMAR 3.33 BarnetGMAR 3.33 Windsor and MaidenheadGMAR 3.34 HackneyGMAR 3.38 HertsmereGMAR 3.41 Mole ValleyGMAR 3.44 EalingGMAR 3.47 SevenoaksGMAR 3.48 BrentGMAR 3.49 HaringeyGMAR 3.73 Richmond upon ThamesGMAR 3.79 Hammersmith and FulhamGMAR 3.85 ElmbridgeGMAR 3.87 CamdenGMAR 4 City of WestminsterGMAR 4.01 Kensington and ChelseaGMAR 6.06

UK mortgage affordability 2026: frequently asked questions

What is the Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio (GMAR)?: The GMAR is computed as: average (mean) house price ÷ (median gross annual income × 4.5). A GMAR below 1 means the typical property is within reach at a 4.5× income multiple; above 1 means the price exceeds what a typical earner could borrow at that multiple. The 4.5× multiple is illustrative — it is not the criteria of any specific lender. House prices from HM Land Registry (April 2026, OGL v3.0). Income from ONS ASHE Table 8.7a (April 2025, OGL v3.0).
Which local authority in England has the most affordable housing in 2026?: Burnley has England's lowest GMAR (0.97) as of April 2026. The average (mean) house price in Burnley was £129,556 (HM Land Registry, April 2026) against a median gross annual income of £29,680 (ONS ASHE, April 2025), giving a GMAR of 0.97. Source: Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio, computed from HM Land Registry and ONS data (OGL v3.0).
Which local authority in England has the least affordable housing in 2026?: Kensington and Chelsea has the highest GMAR (6.06) as of April 2026. The average (mean) house price was £1,272,760 (HM Land Registry) against a median income of £46,690 (ONS ASHE), giving a GMAR of 6.06 — meaning the average price is 6.06× what a typical earner could borrow at a 4.5× income multiple. Source: Gera (OGL v3.0).
What does the illustrative monthly repayment figure mean?: The illustrative monthly repayment on each area page assumes 75% LTV (25% deposit on the average price), a 3.75% annual rate (Bank of England Bank Rate, held at June 2026 MPC decision), and a 25-year capital repayment term. This is contextual — it is NOT a mortgage offer, not a lender's rate, and not a stress test. Actual mortgages use lender-specific rates which may be higher or lower. Always get a personalised quote from an FCA-regulated adviser.
How does the GMAR differ from the ONS house price-to-earnings ratio?: The ONS publishes an annual house price-to-earnings ratio (HPE ratio) using median residence-based earnings. The GMAR uses the same ONS ASHE residence-based median, but divides by (income × 4.5) — the 4.5× factor converts the income to an illustrative borrowing capacity, making GMAR a measure of whether the typical earner can borrow enough, rather than just a price-to-income multiple. A GMAR of 1.0 means the property equals exactly the illustrative max borrow.
How often is the GMAR data updated?: HM Land Registry UK HPI data is published monthly (with a 2-month lag). ONS ASHE earnings data is published annually (April reference period, released October). BoE Bank Rate changes as the MPC decides. Gera updates this dataset when new HPI and ASHE releases are published. The current data reflects HPI April 2026 and ASHE April 2025 (2025 provisional).

About the Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio

The GMAR is computed from real published government data — HM Land Registry average prices and ONS ASHE median earnings — using a 4.5× income multiple as an illustrative borrowing ceiling. Illustrative monthly repayments use the Bank of England Bank Rate (3.75%, June 2026 MPC) as an open reference rate only. No specific lender product is quoted. See the full reproducible formula:

Gera Mortgage Affordability Ratio methodology →

Contains public sector information published by HM Land Registry and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: HM Land Registry — UK House Price Index (full file, April 2026) (April 2026, published 18 June 2026).

Contains public sector information published by Office for National Statistics and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: ONS Annual Survey of Hours and Earnings (ASHE) — Table 8.7a (2025 provisional) (April 2025 (provisional), published 23 October 2025).

Contains public sector information published by Bank of England and licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: Bank of England — Bank Rate (June 2026 MPC decision) (June 2026, published 19 June 2026).