Private renters in England are now spending more than a third of their household income on rent, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), raising fresh concerns about the affordability of housing in the country.
In the financial year ending 2024, renters on an average income devoted 36.3% of their earnings to rent—well above the commonly used affordability benchmark of 30%. By comparison, renters in Wales and Northern Ireland spent 25.9% and 25.3% of their income respectively.
The data underscores a long-running affordability crisis in England’s rental market. Since 2016, the nation has consistently remained above the 30% threshold, while Wales and Northern Ireland have stayed below it.
Although incomes across all three nations generally grew faster than rents between 2016 and 2021, that trend has since reversed. In England, wages still rose more quickly than rents, but in Wales and Northern Ireland, rent costs began to outpace income growth, putting further strain on households.
London remains the least affordable region, with tenants handing over 41.6% of their income to landlords. At the other end of the scale, the North East was the most affordable, with average rents consuming just 19.8% of household earnings.
A closer look at local authorities showed that two-thirds (68.7%) of areas in England and Wales had average rents below the affordability threshold in 2024—similar to the previous year. Hartlepool was found to be the most affordable, with rents taking up just 15.9% of income, while Kensington and Chelsea was the least, with renters spending a staggering 74.3%.
Richard Donnell, Executive Director at Zoopla, said affordability pressures had worsened this year as rental growth outpaced income gains. “Strong demand for rented homes on higher migration for work and study, together with higher mortgage rates, has boosted rental demand while the number of homes for rent has remained static for a decade,” he said.
Zoopla’s latest figures show rent increases slowing to 2.7%, the lowest rate since July 2021. While Donnell described the easing as “welcome news for renters,” he warned that only a significant increase in supply would resolve the pressures.
Megan Eighteen, president of ARLA Propertymark, echoed concerns, highlighting that affordability has tightened nationwide. With the average UK rent now at £1,344, she said a salary of more than £40,000 is needed just to qualify for such a tenancy.
“Regulatory and financial pressures are driving many landlords out of the market at a time of pressing need for housing,” Eighteen said. “Investment from professional landlords is essential, and this requires greater support from government at all levels.”