Nine in 10 areas see first-time buyer earnings qualify for new Government housing scheme

Average first-time buyer earnings fall below the income cap across all regions

Yopa's research shows that the estimated average annual salary for a first-time buyer aged between 30 and 39 in England stands at £45,111. Based on two people earning this amount, the estimated combined household income is £90,221, almost £20,000 below the £110,000 income threshold set by the Government for households outside London. 

At a regional level, estimated average first-time buyer household earnings fall below the relevant income threshold in every region of England. 

London has the highest estimated household income at £123,747, but this remains below the capital's higher £140,000 threshold.

Nine in 10 local authorities fall within the income threshold

At a local authority level, Yopa's research shows that estimated average first-time buyer household earnings fall below the relevant income cap in 90.3% of areas analysed. 

Just 9.7% of local authorities recorded estimated average household earnings above the threshold. 

The findings suggest that the scheme's income eligibility criteria have been set at a level that should accommodate typical dual-income first-time buyer households across much of the country, rather than restricting access to those on significantly lower earnings. 

Where first-time buyer earnings exceed the income threshold

Yopa's research highlights 28 local authorities where estimated average first-time buyer household earnings exceed the scheme's income limits, with all of these areas confined to London, the South East and the East of England. 

Examples include the City of London, where estimated average first-time buyer household income stands at £234,638, considerably above the capital's £140,000 threshold. Camden also exceeds the limit at £194,975, along with Wandsworth at £176,535 and Richmond upon Thames at £149,702. 

Outside the capital, Guildford in the South East records an estimated average first-time buyer household income of £152,502, above the £110,000 threshold. The same is true in South Oxfordshire at £135,205 and Windsor and Maidenhead at £128,355. 

In the East of England, St Albans stands out with estimated average household earnings of £169,367, while Brentwood records £135,175. 

These areas demonstrate that, although the income thresholds appear broadly accessible nationally, there are pockets of the market where typical dual-income households may find themselves excluded on earnings alone. 

See the full data for your local authority here. 

Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa, commented: 

“The introduction of Your First Home is a positive step towards improving access to homeownership, and our research suggests that the Government has struck a sensible balance when it comes to setting the income thresholds. 

With estimated average first-time buyer household earnings falling below the cap in nine out of 10 local authorities, the scheme should be accessible to a broad range of prospective buyers across England, including those in London where higher salaries might otherwise have proved a barrier.

Of course, meeting the income criteria is only one part of the equation. Buyers will still need to secure a mortgage, raise a deposit and find a suitable new-build property within the scheme's price limits. 

The real test will be whether the Government can ensure that additional demand is matched by an increase in housing supply. Without sufficient new homes coming to market, there is a danger that the benefits of the scheme could be absorbed by higher new-build prices, potentially leaving first-time buyers exposed to the same affordability pressures and negative equity risks that previous initiatives have struggled to address.” 

Data tables and sources

*Yopa analysed average annual gross earnings across local authorities in England, using data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). Regional earnings adjustments for those aged 30 to 39 were applied to estimate average first-time buyer salaries. 

Estimated first-time buyer household income was calculated on the basis of two individuals each earning the estimated average salary for their local authority. 

These estimated household incomes were compared against the Your First Home scheme's household income caps of £110,000 outside London and £140,000 within London, as announced in the Autumn Budget 2026. 

Of the 296 local authorities included in the research, salary data was available for 289, with seven excluded due to a lack of available data. Of those analysed, 261 (90.3%) recorded estimated average household earnings below the relevant income cap, while 28 (9.7%) exceeded it. 

The findings represent comparisons of estimated average earnings by location and do not measure the proportion of individual first-time buyer households that will qualify for the scheme. 

*Local authorities excluded due to a lack of available salary data: Mid Suffolk, City of Westminster, Islington, Kensington and Chelsea, Elmbridge, Winchester and Isles of Scilly. 

View the full data tables and sources online here.