House Deposit Struggles: The Regions That Take the Longest to Save

The time it takes to save depends on two key factors: the average property price in the area and the median salary of residents. By comparing regional house prices with salaries and a realistic savings rate, we can see where first-time buyers are facing the biggest hurdles.

New data analysis from Pepper Money reveals that not all house buyers across the UK have an equal footing when it comes to getting on the housing ladder. Using new data on average house prices, median salaries, and realistic saving rates, we analyse 100 locations from across the UK to reveal which towns and cities take the longest (and shortest) to save for a home.

The Average time to Save a Deposit in the UK

According to data from the UK Land Registry and ONS median salary figures, the challenge of saving for a house deposit is becoming increasingly clear. For example, if the average property value is £269,735 and the median salary sits at £35,464, a first-time buyer putting aside 10% of their annual income could expect to spend over 11 years just to accumulate a 15% deposit. This highlights the growing gap between wages and property prices, showing that even disciplined savers face a long-term commitment before they can get onto the property ladder.

The Hardest Places to Save for a Deposit

Some towns and cities are particularly challenging for first-time buyers, with savings taking decades. Windsor tops the list, where the median salary of £39,832 contrasts sharply with an average house price of £586,184, meaning it could take 22 years of saving just to get on the property ladder.

Following Windsor are two of the North West’s most premium locations: Altrincham and Wilmslow, both known for attracting Cheshire’s elite, including footballers and influencers. Buyers in Altrincham could face 21 years to save a deposit, while in Wilmslow it could take 20 years.

The rest of the top ten hardest-to-save-for locations are dominated by towns in the South of England, reflecting the region’s consistently high property prices.

Most Affordable Areas: 6–10 Years to Save

In contrast, some towns offer first-time buyers a much quicker route onto the property ladder. In these areas, property prices are more closely aligned with local salaries, making deposits far more attainable. Scottish towns such as Paisley, North Lanarkshire, and Cumbernauld top the list, with each requiring around 6 years of saving for a deposit.

The only outlier is Blackpool in the North West of England. With a median salary of £31,089 and some of the lowest property prices in the country at £130,280, buyers could also save a deposit in around 6 years.

The north/south divide is clear: northern towns dominate the rankings for the easiest places to save, highlighting the stark regional differences across the UK.

Moderate Areas: 12–15 Years to Save

In many mid-priced areas, first-time buyers can expect a saving period of around 12–15 years. These areas remain popular for their amenities and lifestyle, but saving for a deposit is still a long-term commitment.

While Stockport sits on the higher end of North West saving times, it’s only slightly above the UK average. With excellent transport links to both Manchester and London, combined with a thriving high street full of independent shops, bars, and restaurants, Stockport is quickly becoming one of the most desirable places to live in the North West.

London commuter towns like Reading, Luton, and Basingstoke provide a more achievable route onto the property ladder for London workers. With lower property prices, saving for a deposit in these areas can take almost half the time compared to central London.

While saving for a deposit can feel daunting, particularly in high-cost areas, Pepper Money is here to help first-time buyers navigate the property ladder. With a range of flexible mortgage products designed for those who may not fit the standard lending criteria, Pepper Money can make homeownership more achievable. Whether you’re planning to buy in a high-demand commuter town or a more affordable northern city, you should seek out a mortgage broker who can provide expert guidance to help turn the dream of owning a home into a reality sooner.

Ready to make your move? Discover how a Pepper Money mortgage could help you step onto—or up—the property ladder by speaking an independent mortgage adviser. However you plan it, and whatever you do to stick to it – having a budget is one of the best things you can do for your finances. It can not only help you manage bills and handle unexpected expenses – but also put you on the path to achieving your goals. Budgeting may seem tricky at first, but if you keep going and don’t get disheartened by setbacks, you’ll soon be on the right track.

Full dataset: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1Rtr0Qqf8g9VnLtfb1tUvfPZGLQGQ82ZvRUNM-YeQHfg/edit?usp=sharing

Methodology:

Data was collected by taking the average property value in 100 UK areas (sourced from the UK Land Registry, July 2025). We then calculated the deposit required for a property at this value. This was compared with the local median salary (ONS data) and estimated annual savings, based on people saving 9.9% of their income in 2025 (Aldermore Bank survey). From this, we estimated how many years it would take an individual in each area to save for a deposit.