Can You Comfortably Afford It?
Your estimated mortgage payment of £750/month is 36% of your take home pay (£2,093/month). Financial advisers typically recommend keeping housing costs below 30-35% of take home. This is stretching your budget — consider a lower price or larger deposit.
All Salary Levels
| Salary | Max Property | Mortgage | Monthly Payment |
|---|---|---|---|
| £20,000 | £100,000 | £90,000 | £500 |
| £25,000 | £125,000 | £112,500 | £625 |
| £28,000 | £140,000 | £126,000 | £700 |
| £30,000 | £150,000 | £135,000 | £750 |
| £32,000 | £160,000 | £144,000 | £800 |
| £35,000 | £175,000 | £157,500 | £875 |
| £38,000 | £190,000 | £171,000 | £950 |
| £40,000 | £200,000 | £180,000 | £1,000 |
| £42,000 | £210,000 | £189,000 | £1,051 |
| £45,000 | £225,000 | £202,500 | £1,126 |
| £50,000 | £250,000 | £225,000 | £1,251 |
| £55,000 | £275,000 | £247,500 | £1,376 |
| £60,000 | £300,000 | £270,000 | £1,501 |
| £65,000 | £325,000 | £292,500 | £1,626 |
| £70,000 | £350,000 | £315,000 | £1,751 |
| £75,000 | £375,000 | £337,500 | £1,876 |
| £80,000 | £400,000 | £360,000 | £2,001 |
| £90,000 | £450,000 | £405,000 | £2,251 |
| £100,000 | £500,000 | £450,000 | £2,501 |
Buying on a £30,000 Salary
Close to the UK median salary of £31,000, a £30,000 income gives you a realistic chance of buying in many parts of the country. Your maximum property price of £150,000 covers a wide range of starter homes outside London and the South East.
Deposit Scenarios
The size of your deposit significantly affects both your mortgage rate and monthly payments. With a 5% deposit (£7,500), you will need a 95% LTV mortgage — these carry higher interest rates. A 10% deposit (£15,000) opens up better rates, while a 15% deposit (£22,500) gives you access to the most competitive deals on the market.
Stamp Duty and Buying Costs
As a first-time buyer purchasing under £300,000, you pay zero stamp duty — saving you thousands compared to moving home buyers. Budget an additional £2,000-£4,000 for solicitor fees, surveys, and other buying costs. At 36% of take home pay, your mortgage payment exceeds the recommended 30-35% guideline. Consider targeting properties at £130,000-£140,000 to give yourself more financial breathing room for maintenance costs and unexpected expenses.
Where to Buy on £30,000
Cities like Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, and Newcastle have thriving property markets with plenty of options under £150,000. Commuter towns around these cities often offer even better value. For your detailed take home pay breakdown, see £30,000 salary after tax.
See your full take home pay breakdown
£30,000 salary after tax →