Can I afford a house in London on a £90,000 salary?
At £90,000, you are within striking distance of the London average. The average property (£525,000) is 5.8 times your income — above the 4.5× standard, but close enough that a 15–20% deposit closes most of the gap without needing specialist lenders. This is the income level where inner-London starts to enter the picture.
Based on typical UK tax bands and lending criteria. This is an estimate, not financial advice.
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You are in a strong affordability position compared to the UK average
Your income and disposable income are both above typical levels for UK buyers, giving you solid flexibility on housing, rent, and car choices.
Safe monthly disposable income
After expenses and debt, you have around £5,850 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 £443k 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 £389k and £496k
Recommended rent budget
Up to £2,625/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.
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Based on typical UK tax bands and lending criteria. This is an estimate, not financial advice.
What lenders will see
Standard maximum mortgage: Most UK lenders offer between 4× and 4.5× your salary — £360k to £405k on your income.
The gap: The average London home costs £525k. This is 5.8× your salary, which exceeds standard criteria. A larger deposit bridges part of the gap.
Deposit guidance: A deposit of 15–20% will strengthen your application and unlock better mortgage rates.
Local context: London
On £90,000, a 4.5× mortgage supports borrowing of £405,000. With a 15% deposit of £90,000, your total budget reaches £495,000 — near the London average, and realistic without any specialist lending. At this level, buyers can seriously consider two and three-bedroom flats in Peckham, Walthamstow, Battersea, and Stoke Newington. Parts of Islington, Hackney, and Kentish Town also start to appear. A specialist lender at 5.5× extends the mortgage to £495,000, with a 15% deposit creating a £585,000 total budget — opening up larger inner-city properties and small family houses.
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Compare other UK cities
See how affordability differs across the UK based on salary and average house prices.
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