Mortgage on 100k Salary: Can You Buy a Home in the UK?

When you earn 100k salary, a yearly income of £100,000 in the UK that significantly affects your borrowing power. Also known as six-figure income, it puts you in the top 5% of earners—but doesn’t automatically mean you can buy a home. Many assume a high salary equals easy homeownership. It doesn’t. Lenders care more about your debt, spending habits, and deposit than just your pay stub.

That’s where UK mortgage rules, the legal and financial guidelines banks follow when approving home loans in the UK. Also known as mortgage affordability criteria, they’re stricter than most people realize. Most lenders cap your loan at 4.5 times your income. So on a 100k salary, that’s £450,000 max. But that’s only if you have zero other debt, a 15%+ deposit, and no missed payments in the last six years. If you’ve got credit card balances, car loans, or student debt? That number drops fast.

Then there’s house price to salary ratio, how many times your income a home costs, used to measure affordability across regions. Also known as property affordability index, it’s why someone earning 100k in London might struggle to buy a two-bed flat, while the same salary buys a three-bed house in Yorkshire. In London, the average home costs over 12 times the median salary. In the North East, it’s closer to 5. So yes—you can afford more with 100k outside the capital. But you still need a deposit. Most lenders won’t touch you without at least 10%, and some want 20% or more.

First-time buyers with this income often think they’re set. But they forget the hidden costs: stamp duty (which kicks in at £250k), solicitor fees, survey costs, and moving expenses. That £450k loan might cover the house—but not the rest. And if you’re buying in a high-demand area, sellers often demand cash buyers or those with bigger deposits. A 100k salary helps, but it’s not a magic ticket.

You also need to think long-term. What if interest rates rise? What if you lose your job? Lenders use stress tests—they pretend your rate is 2% higher than what you’re getting, and check if you can still pay. A 100k salary might pass today, but not if your expenses climb or your income dips.

There’s no single answer to whether you can buy on 100k. It depends on where you live, how much you’ve saved, what you owe, and how much you spend each month. The best way to know? Get a free mortgage affordability check from a broker who’s seen real cases—not just online calculators.

Below, you’ll find real stories from people who’ve been there: what worked, what didn’t, and how they actually got their keys—whether they were in London, Manchester, or somewhere in between. No fluff. Just what you need to know before you apply.