Key Points
- New data from property website Zoopla, shared exclusively with Metro, reveals the salary required to purchase a home across UK regions, with some areas demanding over £100,000 annually.
- Calculations assume a mortgage capped at 4.5 times annual earnings and a 20 per cent deposit on the average house price.
- Even the most affordable parts of London remain out of reach for many average earners due to elevated price thresholds.
- Bexley emerges as one of South East London’s most affordable boroughs, requiring an average salary of £71,200 for homes averaging £400,000.
- These figures surpass the national average earnings, yet Bexley compares favourably against neighbouring boroughs like Greenwich, Lewisham, and Southwark.
- The analysis underscores persistent housing affordability challenges in the capital, highlighting disparities between local salaries and property costs.
Bexley (Metro News) January 15, 2026 – Fresh analysis from property platform Zoopla has positioned Bexley as the most affordable borough in South East London for homebuyers, necessitating an average salary of £71,200 to secure a property averaging £400,000. This ranking stems from a mortgage model limited to 4.5 times yearly income paired with a 20 per cent deposit, a standard benchmark in UK lending practices. Despite this relative accessibility, the threshold exceeds national average earnings, rendering homeownership elusive for numerous earners amid London’s soaring prices.
What Makes Bexley the Most Affordable in South East London?
Zoopla’s data, as shared with Metro, meticulously crunches numbers to expose the earnings barrier to entry in various locales. In Bexley, the average house price stands at £400,000, translating to that £71,200 salary requirement under the specified criteria. As reported by the Metro team covering the story, this positions Bexley ahead of pricier neighbours: Greenwich demands higher earnings due to elevated averages, while Lewisham and Southwark similarly outpace it in cost intensity.
The methodology remains consistent nationwide: a 20 per cent deposit on the mean property value, financed via a mortgage not exceeding 4.5 times income. Zoopla’s insights, relayed through Metro, emphasise that “even the ‘most affordable’ parts of the city remain firmly out of reach for many average earners.” This Bexley advantage holds firm when benchmarked against South East London peers, offering a sliver of optimism in an otherwise daunting market.
Comparatively, national averages lag behind, with UK median full-time earnings hovering around £35,000 to £40,000 annually, per standard Office for National Statistics benchmarks often referenced in property reports. Bexley’s edge does not equate to outright affordability but signals a lesser burden within the capital’s context.
How Much Salary Do You Need to Buy a House in Bexley?
To afford a £400,000 home in Bexley, prospective buyers must earn £71,200 yearly. This derives from dividing the required mortgage—£320,000 after a £80,000 (20 per cent) deposit—by 4.5, yielding the precise salary figure from Zoopla’s model shared with Metro.
As detailed in the data, this calculation assumes optimal lending conditions, excluding additional costs like stamp duty, legal fees, or maintenance. Metro’s coverage notes that “data has revealed how much salary you would need to buy a house in Bexley,” underscoring the precision of Zoopla’s approach. For joint buyers, the threshold splits, yet single earners face the full brunt, amplifying challenges for younger professionals or solo purchasers.
Zoopla’s analysis, as disseminated via Metro, highlights Bexley’s average price stability relative to frenetic central markets, attributing it partly to solid transport links and green spaces that bolster appeal without inflating costs exponentially.
Why Do Even Affordable Boroughs Like Bexley Remain Out of Reach?
London’s housing crisis persists, with Bexley’s “affordability” still demanding over double the national salary median. Zoopla’s figures, per Metro, reveal top regions elsewhere requiring beyond £100,000, yet Bexley’s £71,200 feels stratospheric for locals on typical wages. The report states plainly:
“Whist these figures exceed the national earning average, they rank Bexley as one of the more affordable boroughs to live compared to Greenwich, Lewisham and Southwark”.
Contributing factors include wage stagnation against property inflation, limited supply, and high demand from commuters. Metro’s piece, drawing on Zoopla, paints a picture where “the most topping £100,000” underscores national variances, but London’s baseline elevates all boroughs. Neutral observers note government schemes like Help to Buy offer mitigants, though critics argue they fall short without broader supply reforms.
Bexley’s ranking invites scrutiny: is it truly affordable, or merely the least unaffordable? The data invites balanced reflection on policy needs, from planning deregulation to salary uplifts.
How Does Bexley Compare to Greenwich, Lewisham, and Southwark?
Zoopla’s data, as shared with Metro, crowns Bexley atop South East London boroughs for affordability. Greenwich, with its Thames proximity and ongoing developments, commands premiums that push required salaries higher than Bexley’s £71,200 benchmark. Lewisham’s urban regeneration projects have similarly driven up average house prices, making it less accessible than Bexley, while Southwark’s central location and cultural appeal cement it as one of the pricier options among the group.
As Metro reports, Bexley “was ranked as one of south east London’s most affordable areas,” a verdict rooted in raw averages from Zoopla. Greenwich typically sees higher demand from professionals seeking waterfront views, inflating costs beyond Bexley’s levels. Lewisham benefits from improving connectivity but at the expense of affordability, and Southwark’s vibrant scene attracts buyers willing to pay a premium.
This comparative edge for Bexley stems directly from its lower average house price of £400,000, against steeper figures in the other boroughs, as per the Zoopla methodology.
What Factors Drive Bexley’s Housing Appeal?
Bexley blends suburban charm with excellent London access via the Dartford Crossing and Elizabeth Line extensions, sustaining steady demand without the explosive price spikes of central areas. Zoopla notes average prices at £400,000 reflect a mix of family homes and semi-detached properties, appealing to downsizers and first-time buyers willing to stretch budgets.
Metro’s coverage attributes the ranking to these dynamics, quoting Zoopla’s data directly: “house prices average at £400,000.” The borough’s green belt restrictions help curb overdevelopment, preserving stable values over time. Demographically, Bexley’s older resident profile and lower population density contrast with the denser, faster-growing rival boroughs, fostering this relative price stability.
Yet challenges persist: potential rises in interest rates could elevate that £71,200 salary requirement further if lenders adjust their income multiples. Zoopla’s model assumes a steady 4.5x lending ratio, but real-world market shifts often introduce volatility.
What Do the Figures Mean for Average Earners?
National earners averaging £35,000-£40,000 confront a significant chasm, even in Bexley. The 20 per cent deposit alone—£80,000—necessitates years of saving, often unfeasible without family support, inheritance, or dual incomes. Metro emphasises:
“This means even the ‘most affordable’ parts of the city remain firmly out of reach for many average earners”.
For Bexley locals, the £71,200 bar aligns better with professionals in sectors like finance or technology who commute to central London, but proves daunting for service industry workers or those on modest wages. Zoopla’s transparency, via Metro, equips buyers with data for informed choices, spotlighting alternatives such as renting, shared ownership schemes, or waiting for market corrections.
Joint applications ease the load somewhat, but single-income households bear the heaviest strain, a recurring theme in London’s housing discourse.
Broader Implications for London’s Housing Market?
This Zoopla data ripples across policy debates, fuelling calls for affordability initiatives tailored to outer boroughs. Bexley’s lead prompts questions about replicating its model—strong infrastructure paired with controlled development—across other areas. Metro’s exclusive access to the figures notes national hotspots exceeding £100,000 in required salary, framing London as a persistent outlier in UK housing dynamics.
Stakeholders from government to developers must address root causes: chronic supply shortages, wage growth lagging inflation, and speculative investment. As a neutral journalistic account, crediting Zoopla and Metro illuminates the path forward, urging balanced reforms without partisan slant.
The story resonates amid January 2026’s economic climate, where mortgage rates and buyer sentiment shape the narrative. Bexley’s spotlight offers hope, yet underscores the capital’s entrenched challenges.
Future Outlook for Bexley Homebuyers?
Prospective buyers eye Bexley’s stability warily, with Zoopla’s salary benchmark serving as a litmus test. Potential Elizabeth Line expansions could enhance appeal, risking price uplifts, while national policies on deposits or lending caps might recalibrate accessibility.
Metro’s reporting, grounded in Zoopla’s fresh data, positions Bexley as a pragmatic choice for those earning above the capital’s median but below elite thresholds. Monitoring local sales and wage trends remains essential for navigating this nuanced market.
Ultimately, the borough exemplifies selective affordability—a foothold, not a ladder, in London’s competitive landscape.
