Find out what you can really afford
Instantly calculate how much house, rent, or car you can afford based on your income and expenses.
Built for UK buyers, renters and car finance decisions.
Typical ranges on a £50k salary
Adjust the calculator below for your actual salary, expenses, and debts — these figures change significantly based on your full financial picture.
Your finances
Adjust the sliders to match your situation
Try a scenario
Your gross (pre-tax) annual income
Bills, food, subscriptions, travel, etc.
Monthly loan, credit card, or other debt payments
Your total savings (helps with deposits)
Your affordability
Results update as you type
Your affordability is broadly in line with the UK average
You are well-positioned to afford a home, rent, or car within the typical UK range. Small improvements to expenses or savings will open up more options.
Safe monthly disposable income
After expenses and debt, you have around £2,475 left each month — with a 10% buffer built in for unexpected costs. This is comfortable for most people at this income level.
Home you could realistically afford
Around £240k is a realistic target based on your salary, savings, and outgoings. Outside London, this budget typically goes further.
Most UK buyers with a similar income typically purchase between £211k and £269k
Recommended rent budget
Up to £1,313/month keeps your finances healthy based on the 30–35% income rule. Anything above this may start to feel like a stretch.
Car finance calculator
Most cars in the UK are purchased using finance (PCP or HP), where buyers pay a deposit and a fixed monthly cost. This estimate gives a realistic guide based on typical finance rates (~8% APR).
How much you can comfortably pay each month
£200–£350/month is a sensible range for most UK buyers. This is what many people on a typical salary comfortably spend on a car.
Most UK car buyers use PCP or HP finance — affordability is based on monthly payments, not total price.
Outside London, this budget typically goes further. In London and higher-cost areas, affordability is usually 15–25% lower than these figures suggest.
Why this calculator is different
Most calculators show the maximum you can borrow. This tool focuses on what you can comfortably afford — based on real UK salaries, actual expenses, and everyday spending patterns.
Want a personalised breakdown?
We'll send a simple summary based on your inputs. No spam.
Based on typical UK tax bands and lending criteria. This is an estimate, not financial advice.
Results are estimates based on standard UK lending guidelines. Not financial advice.
What this means in practice
Plain-English explanations of how these numbers work — and what they don't tell you.
House affordability is about more than salary
Lenders look at your full financial picture — income, debts, expenses, and deposit size. The 4.5× figure is a starting point. Your actual offer will depend on what you spend each month and what you have saved. This is comfortable for most buyers with modest outgoings.
The 30% rent rule keeps you financially healthy
Keeping rent below 30% of gross income leaves room for savings, emergencies, and life. Going above 35% can start to feel like a stretch — especially once you factor in bills, commuting, and the occasional unexpected cost.
The 10% safety buffer is there for a reason
We deduct 10% from your disposable income before showing your result. This accounts for the costs most budgets forget — car repairs, a higher-than-expected bill, or simply a month where things don't go to plan. Anything above this buffer may start to feel like a stretch.
Location changes everything
Outside London and the South East, the same budget goes noticeably further. A £300k home in Manchester or Leeds buys significantly more space than in Greater London. Higher living costs in London typically reduce effective affordability by 15–25% compared to the national average.
These are estimates, not financial advice
Use these numbers as a starting point for your thinking — not a final answer. Individual circumstances vary widely. Before making any major financial decision, speak to a qualified mortgage broker or independent financial adviser.
Popular calculators
Each calculator focuses on one decision. Choose the one that fits what you are planning.
Ready to take the next step?
Use your affordability numbers to compare real mortgage deals or get personalised advice from a fee-free broker.
No sign-up required. Free to use. Not financial advice.
Popular affordability questions
The most searched UK affordability scenarios — house buying, car finance, and savings.
How these estimates are calculated
These numbers are not guesses. They are based on real UK lending rules, salary data, and spending patterns.
We use current HMRC tax bands and National Insurance thresholds to estimate realistic take-home pay for each income level.
Mortgage estimates apply the 4–4.5× salary multiple used by most UK high-street lenders. Car budgets follow the 10–15% of net income rule used by financial advisers.
Expense defaults reflect typical UK household costs. The 10% safety buffer we apply accounts for the irregular costs most budgets forget.
Results are estimates based on standard UK guidelines. Individual circumstances vary. Always speak to a qualified mortgage broker or financial adviser before making major decisions.