Salary Needed for a Mortgage
Enter a home price and your deposit to see the household income lenders typically expect, plus the loan size and monthly repayment.
How much salary do you need for a mortgage?
Most UK lenders cap how much they will lend at around 4.5 times your yearly income before tax. So the bigger the gap between the home price and your deposit, the more you need to earn. This calculator works backwards: it takes the loan you need and shows the income that usually unlocks it.
A larger deposit shrinks the loan, which lowers both the salary you need and your monthly repayment. If your deposit covers the whole price, you would not need a mortgage at all.
This is a guide, not an offer. Lenders also look at your spending, debts, credit history, and the type of home before they decide.
Frequently asked questions
- How is the salary worked out?
- We take the loan you need (price minus deposit) and divide it by 4.5, the income multiple most UK lenders use. For example, a £270,000 loan would usually need a household income of about £60,000.
- Can I borrow more than 4.5 times my income?
- Sometimes. Some lenders stretch to 5 times income, and a few offer more to higher earners or certain professions. A bigger deposit and clean finances also help. Treat 4.5× as a sensible starting point.
- Does this count one salary or two?
- The figure is total household income before tax. If you are buying with someone else, you can usually add both salaries together, so the target is easier to reach as a couple.
- Why does the deposit change the salary so much?
- Your salary target is based on the loan, not the price. A bigger deposit means a smaller loan, so you need to earn less and your monthly repayment falls too.
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