Answers · UK 2025/26

How big a mortgage can I get on a £30,000 salary?

Typically around £135,000, based on the common 4.5x income cap (4.5 x £30,000). Some lenders stretch to 5x (£150,000) or more for borrowers with strong credit and low outgoings, but affordability checks can pull the figure down.

Last updated: 3 July 2026Last reviewed: 3 July 2026How we verify

Full answer

Most UK mortgage lenders cap borrowing at roughly 4 to 4.5 times gross annual income, so on a £30,000 salary you can usually borrow about £120,000 to £135,000. A handful of lenders offer 5x or occasionally 5.5x for borrowers with strong credit files, low existing debt and stable employment, which could reach £150,000 to £165,000, but income multiples are only the starting point -- lenders then run a detailed affordability assessment that subtracts committed outgoings such as other loans, credit cards, childcare costs and a stress test on a higher interest rate. Worked example: borrowing £135,000 over 25 years at 5.0% costs about £789.20 a month. On a £30,000 salary your take-home pay for 2026/27 is roughly £2,093.30 a month after Income Tax (£3,486 a year) and National Insurance (£1,394.40 a year), so that mortgage payment is around 37.7% of net income -- within the range most lenders consider comfortable, though adding council tax, other debts and living costs will affect what actually feels affordable day to day. A larger deposit reduces the amount you need to borrow and can also unlock better interest rates.