Despite the spotlight that has focused on the gender pay gap for quite some time, it’s clear there is still a worryingly large disparity between the earnings of female and male workers. This isn’t simply a case of equal pay but equal opportunity across the board and there is a real lack of this when it comes to rental affordability in particular. Tackling the UK rental market is tough enough as it is without the immediate set back of a 14% reduction in your rental potential due to a lower wage.
As a result of this inferior financial foundation, female workers are forced to either pay far more in rent or be priced out of the market altogether, resulting in a wider search, a longer commute, and a lower quality of life.
The latest research by leading room share platform, ideal flatmate, has looked at the vast gap between the rental affordability of male and female workers in the UK and how this impacts their rental potential across the UK rental market.
The data shows that across the UK, the average male is required to spend 28.6% of their salary on rent, while this climbs to 42.6% for the average female. This gap is at its largest in England at 17.9%, with men spending 35.5% of their salary on rent while women fork out 53.4%.
The smallest gap is in Wales, with women spending 35.3% while men 25.4% – a 9.8% difference.
When looking at a regional level, the extent of this affordability gap becomes very apparent.
Across the UK, the higher cost of the average male wage means that in 42% of areas they are spending 30% or less of their salary on rent.
In contrast, the average female could afford to pay rent at 30% or less of their salary in just 0.3% of UK areas. An astonishing difference.
Looking at the areas themselves further demonstrates this gap. Based on the average wage for those living there, East Renfrewshire is the most affordable spot for men with just 17.1% of salary spent on rent each month.
Rhondda Cynon Taf is the most affordable rental market for women, however, it would require them to pay 29.7% of their salary on rent.
In London, male renters in Bexley have it best, paying 39% of their salary on rent, while Greenwich is the most affordable for female renters but requires 58.5% of their salary to rent.
