Ratio of House Prices to Income

• In 2003 Average household income in England was = £34,197 Average house price = £115,181
  House price to income ratio = 3.36
• In 2008 Average income was about £38,302 (1) Average house price =£197,000 (BBC)
  Therefore house price to income ratio about 5.1

• London average house prices 4.8 times income (2006), against 2.6 times in 1970.

• The South East, where the ratio has climbed to 4.3 times income from 2.7 times 35 years ago, is the second least affordable region.

House Prices and Mortgage Payments

This increase in house prices is reflected in the increased burden of mortgage payments

• Mortgage interest burden stands at 20% of gross income (up from 11% in 2003) (source Economist)
• Household debt now exceeds 150% of disposable income (this is another historical high)

The Impact of Rising House Prices to Income

The ratio of house prices to Income remains an important guide to long term affordability of housing.
However, it does not make it a perfect guide to future house prices. Just because the ratio of house prices to incomes have increased doesn’t necessarily mean a house price crash will occur.

Nevertheless, the rising ratio of house prices to incomes does raise some serious concerns.

Problems of Rising House Price to Incomes Ratios

• Social Mobility. A Rising ratio of house prices to incomes means that it is increasingly difficult for first time buyers (young people) to get on the property ladder. This means young people may have to live in cramped rented accommodation
• Labour Shortages. In areas of high house prices, the lack of affordability may lead to a shortage of key public sector workers.
• Potential for House Price Crash. It is argued that rises in house price to incomes ratios are unsustainable and could lead to a future crash in house prices.
• Encourages Risky Mortgages. To get on the property ladder, first time buyers are having to take out increasingly risky mortgages such as interest only, self-certification; these mortgages can increase the likelihood of mortgage defaults and home repossessions.

Predictions for Future House Price to Incomes Ratios

Some people have predicted that house prices to incomes could reach a multiple of 10 times. They argue this is based on the fundamental inequity between supply and demand. The Future: House Prices 10 Times Income - The Times

Personally, I am sceptical of this claims. How would people be able to afford mortgages if house prices were 10 times. The recent experience of the US, and more powerfully, Japan, show that rising house price to income multiples may be a constraint on future house price growth

Sources

• House price to Incomes BBC
• The Worst is yet to come for UK housing - Economist
• Household Income
• Housing Bubble - wikipedia
• Assuming growth of 2.8% of average incomes since 2003. Note there are different ways of calculating household incomes therefore there is some disparity between data.