From James Lockett From ProperPR

The latest research from Warwick Estates, reveals where the nation’s most affordable new-build housing markets are based on the current new-build house price to income ratio. 

Warwick Estates analysed current new-build house price data in relation to gross earnings across each area of the market to find where offers the best levels of affordability for new-build homebuyers. 

In Britain, the average new-build house price is £354,811 while the average gross salary sits at £31,770, creating a new-build affordability ratio of 11.2. 

At a national level, England is home to the highest ratio at 11.3, falling to 10.0 in Wales and 8.6 in Scotland – making it the most affordable new-build nation in Britain.

The North East is home to the lowest affordability ratio of all regions of England at 8.4, followed by Yorkshire & Humber (9.2), and then the North West (9.8).

At a local authority level, the most affordable new-build market in England is Hyndburn, Lancashire, where an average new-build price of £115,420 and average salary of £25,539 make an affordability ratio of 4.5. 

This is followed by Burnley, Lancashire (5.5); Copeland, Cumbria (5.5), Stockton-on-Tees (6.1), Barrow-in-Furness (6.6), and County Durham (6.6). 

The least affordable local authority areas in England are Rochford, Essex (23.4); South Hams, Devon (21.3); Harlow, Essex (21.1); Cotswold, Gloucestershire (20.3); Gravesham, Kent (20.1); and North Devon (18.6).

COO of Warwick Estates, Bethan Griffiths, commented: 

“While new-build homes tend to carry a house price premium versus the wider market this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re less obtainable to the average homebuyer. As with the regular market, this affordability is largely dependent on location which influences both the value of property as well as the average earnings on offer. 

The good news is that the nation’s housebuilders recognise this and so in areas with lower levels of income, you’ll also find new-build values are far lower. In fact, these areas account for some of the most affordable when it comes to the average new-build house price to income ratio.”

Table shows average new-build (NB) house price and average gross salary for British nations, alongside afforability ratio
Location	NB avehp – Jun 2021	Gross salary – 2020 (latest available)	Affordability ratio
Scotland	£256,399	£29,980	8.6
Wales	£268,775	£26,805	10.0
England	£364,672	£32,237	11.3
Great Britain	£354,811	£31,770	11.2
Sources – UK House Price Index, ONS: Employee Earnings

Table shows average new-build (NB) house price and average gross salary for English regions, alongside affordability ratio
Location	NB avehp – Jun 2021	Gross salary – 2020 (latest available)	Affordability ratio
North East	£227,928	£27,153	8.4
Yorkshire and The Humber	£257,168	£28,096	9.2
North West	£280,026	£28,644	9.8
East Midlands	£317,719	£28,957	11.0
West Midlands Region	£325,306	£29,408	11.1
London	£533,642	£42,667	12.5
South East	£440,152	£35,039	12.6
East of England	£422,076	£33,114	12.7
South West	£363,869	£28,003	13.0
Sources – UK House Price Index, ONS: Employee Earnings

Table shows most affordable new-build local authority areas in England, ranked from lowest affordability ratio to highest
Location	NB avehp – Jun 2021	Gross salary – 2020 (latest available)	Affordability ratio
Hyndburn	£115,420	£25,539	4.5
Burnley	£149,980	£27,492	5.5
Copeland	£191,082	£34,826	5.5
Stockton-on-Tees	£170,149	£27,778	6.1
Barrow-in-Furness	£206,180	£31,392	6.6
County Durham	£179,843	£27,213	6.6
Sources – UK House Price Index, ONS: Employee Earnings

Table shows least affordable new-build local authority areas in England, ranked from highest affordability ratio to lowest
Location	NB avehp – Jun 2021	Gross salary – 2020 (latest available)	Affordability ratio
Rochford	£728,336	£31,135	23.4
South Hams	£518,760	£24,354	21.3
Harlow	£612,494	£29,089	21.1
Cotswold	£660,631	£32,585	20.3
Gravesham	£618,118	£30,746	20.1
North Devon	£410,594	£22,025	18.6
Sources – UK House Price Index, ONS: Employee Earnings

Ends

Notes to Editors

●        Warwick Estates was founded in 2007, and acquired by Aldridge in 2017 with the ambition to grow and strengthen the business. 

●        The goal of growth is one that unites the Aldridge family today across the diverse range of commercial and philanthropic activities in which it operates.

●        Over 40,000 properties are managed for freeholders, asset funds, housebuilders and housing associations – a combined value of over £9bn. 

●        Annual revenues exceed £10million

●        Warwick Estates is run by a newly strengthened management team of industry heavy-weights with decades of combined industry experience – chaired by Adrian Ringrose, former CEO of Interserve

●        Current head-count is 186 staff at seven office locations throughout England