The UK’s most affordable city for single homebuyers

The UK’s most affordable city for single homebuyers · Yahoo Finance UK

Pedro Goncalves · Finance Reporter, Yahoo Finance UK

Thu 12 February 2026 at 3:00 pm GMT+9 3 min read

Aberdeen is the most affordable UK city for single homebuyers, according to analysis by Zoopla, as rising incomes and lower mortgage rates improve the prospects for those purchasing on one salary.

The property portal looked at average prices for one and two-bedroom homes and compared them with typical earnings for single buyers to find where affordability is most favourable. While couples account for almost 60% of first-time purchases and often target three-bedroom homes, singles account for around 39% of the market and often find it harder to jump on the housing ladder.

In Scotland, Aberdeen tops the rankings. The average one or two-bedroom home costs £114,700, around 3.5 times the average single income of £33,100. Based on a 20% deposit, monthly mortgage payments are estimated at £438.

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Sunderland is the most affordable city in England, with average prices of £106,700, or 3.7 times typical earnings of £28,600. Monthly repayments of £408 equate to 17% of gross income. Hull ranks close behind, with prices at £115,300, representing 4.1 times earnings and requiring 19% of monthly pay to service a mortgage.

Elsewhere in Wales, Swansea is the most affordable city, with a typical one or two-bedroom home priced at £149,000, around 4.5 times the average earnings of £32,800.

**Read more: **Average UK house price exceeds £300,000 for first time

Affordability varies even within northern England. In York, the average one- or two-bedroom home costs £256,100, with monthly repayments of £978, which consume 34% of income. In Stockport, mortgage payments of £860 account for 30% of gross earnings.

In southern England, Milton Keynes is the least expensive city for single buyers, with average prices of £230,400, or 6.3 times earnings of £36,900. Brighton is the least affordable city outside London, where average repayments reach £1,238 a month.

London remains the toughest market for solo purchasers. All boroughs require mortgage payments of more than £1,000 a month for an average one or two-bedroom home. Havering is the most affordable borough, with prices of £305,200, around 7.3 times average earnings of £41,600, and monthly repayments of £1,166. In Croydon, payments average £1,173, or 34% of income.

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At the town level, Stevenson in Scotland stands out, with average prices of £70,650, roughly twice the typical salary of £35,473, and monthly repayments of £270, equivalent to 9% of income. Shildon in County Durham has the lowest average monthly repayments at £245.

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Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “Buying a home can feel out of reach for many singles who have to rely on just one income to cover mortgage and other costs of home ownership.

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“Rising incomes and lower mortgage rates mean that owning a home by yourself is increasingly possible.

“For many that means buying a smaller-sized home where property prices have risen more slowly than for larger, family-sized homes in recent years."

“It’s important to do your research digging into mortgage affordability and products aimed at singles while considering alternative locations and selecting the right area for you.”

**Read more: **HSBC, NatWest, Barclays and Nationwide hike mortgage costs

Kesha Foss-Smith, regional director at John D Wood & Co, said: “Single buyers are becoming far more strategic about where and what they buy.

“Many are prioritising affordability over postcode prestige and choosing areas that still offer good transport links, local amenities and long-term value."

“The combination of stabilising house prices and improved mortgage rates has opened doors again, and we’re seeing renewed confidence in the market, particularly for one and two-bed homes.

“With more choice coming on to the market and sellers being more open to negotiation, this is one of the more favourable windows we’ve seen for single buyers in recent years.”

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