New research has identified the areas in England where buying a home with a single salary is most feasible, with Burnley in the North West ranking as the most affordable location. According to the study from Sell House Fast, the median annual pay in Burnley is £29,680, and the average house price stands at £129,556, requiring a 10% deposit of £12,956 and leaving a mortgage of £116,600.
Top affordable locations for solo buyers
Hartlepool secures the second spot, where the typical home costs £129,129, necessitating a salary of at least £28,830. With a 10% deposit of £12,913, buyers would face a mortgage of £116,216. Middlesbrough follows closely, with an average salary of £30,253 and an average house price of £139,005, meaning a deposit of £13,901 and a mortgage of £125,105.
Other locations on the list include County Durham, where the average home costs £138,767; Hull, with an average price of £135,051; and Blackpool, at £134,732. Hyndburn also features, with an average house price of £139,800 and a median salary of £29,647.
Rise of solo homeownership
New statistics commissioned by Barclays indicate that buying a first home solo is now more common in 2026 than it was before 1980. The bank attributes this shift to changing lifestyles and a stronger desire for financial independence. Before 1980, only 15% of first-time buyers purchased alone, while 83% bought with a partner. Between 2020 and 2026, the proportion of solo buyers has dropped to 54%, and in June alone, more than one third of completions (36.9%) were made by solo buyers.
Challenges for single women
Despite these trends, solo homeownership remains challenging, particularly for single women. A study by the Women’s Budget Group found that women need more than 12 times their annual salaries to buy a home in England, while men need just over eight times. In London and the South East, the situation worsens, with women needing between 18 and 16 times their paycheck to gain mortgaged access to a home.
Further research by SpareRoom in 2026 found that 79% of women spend more than 30% of their monthly paycheck on rent, compared to 69% of men. This impacts their ability to save for a deposit, with 71% of women expecting they won’t be in a position to buy a home in the future, mainly because they don’t earn enough to secure a mortgage.
