London tenants are allocating up to 60% of their income toward rent, a burden far heavier than in other parts of England and Wales.

According to data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), since 2015, average rents in London have typically absorbed between 57.2% and 39.8% of household incomes. In comparison, renters elsewhere in England and Wales generally allocate 20% to 35% of their income to rent, rarely approaching the levels seen in the capital.

For private renters across England, the median household spends about 34.2% of its income on rent, averaging monthly payments of £1,178 from a combined income of £3,448. In Wales, renters fare slightly better, spending an average of 27.2% of their income on rent, which amounts to £667 from a monthly income of £2,452.

Since 2015, private rental costs in England have consistently exceeded the 30% affordability threshold, underscoring ongoing challenges with housing affordability. The most affordable regions for renters in 2023 include the West Midlands, North East, and Yorkshire and The Humber.

The latest data offers detailed insights into rental affordability at the local authority level. The most affordable area in the fiscal year ending 2023 was North Lincolnshire, where average rents accounted for just 18.8% of median income. Conversely, Kensington and Chelsea ranked as the least affordable, with rents consuming 52.2% of the median income.

Of the 334 local authorities across England and Wales examined last year, 69.8% (233 authorities) reported "affordable" average rents. Among the 10 most affordable areas, four are located in Yorkshire and The Humber, while the West Midlands and East of England each have two, with one each in the North West and South West.

In contrast, cities like London, Manchester, Brighton and Hove, and Bristol continue to face challenges with high rental prices, making affordability an enduring issue in these urban centres.