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New data from the Office for National Statistics has revealed which local authorities have the best—and worst—housing affordability. The 2024 figures highlight the difference between median average house prices and median average earnings for full-time employees. In the most affordable area, Blaenau Gwent, Wales, median house prices were 3.
75 times the earnings. Kensington and Chelsea in London, however, recorded the least affordable figures, with house prices 27.09 times the average earnings.
The statistics show that only 9 per cent of local authorities had homes bought for less than five times workers' earnings on average. This is the highest proportion since 2015 but significantly lower than the 88 per cent recorded in 1997. READ NEXT: Seafront restaurant allowed to keep beach huts permanently In Sussex, Crawley was the most affordable area, with a ratio of 7.
93, followed by Hastings (8.37), Eastbourne (8.48), and Worthing (9.
7). At the other end of the scale were Chichester (12.82), Lewes (12.
09), and Horsham (11.68). Brighton and Hove had an affordability ratio of 11.
31. The ratios for all the local authorities in Sussex can be seen on the graph below. An average house in England, costing £290,000, was 7.
7 times the median earnings of a full-time employee in 2024. The ONS said: "Affordability in England and Wales in 2024 has returned to its pre-pandemic levels after a sharp increase between 2020 and 2021. "Median house sales prices have increased by 1% since 2021, while average earnings have increased by 20%.
" READ NEXT: Plans to convert seafront hotel into student accommodation approved It also reveal that housing affordability improved in 289 of the 318 local authorities in England and Wales (91 per cent) and worsened in 28 (9 per cent) since 2023. The ONS added: "Between 2019 and 2024, four of the ten largest increases in affordability ratios (worsening affordability) were in the East Midlands, while the ten largest decreases in affordability ratios have all occurred in local authorities in London." Despite this, the issue of housing affordability remains a significant concern.
According to the ONS, only 9% of local authorities had a housing ratio of less than five, which is what the ONS would consider 'affordable'..
