Cumberland has been crowned the most affordable place to live in the UK.
According to research by Sell House Fast, Cumberland has been named the top spot for affordability, offering residents a high proportion of disposable income after housing costs.
The study ranked areas based on average pay, rent, mortgage prices, and overall housing affordability.
Cumberland secured the highest score, with a median salary of £33,840 and average house prices at £172,186.
Jack Malnick, managing director at Sell House Fast, said: "One of the biggest misconceptions is that moving somewhere with higher salaries automatically leaves you better off.
"Our findings show that's often not the case.
"In many northern areas, wages may be slightly lower than in London or the South East, but significantly cheaper housing means households keep much more of what they earn each month.
"That difference can have a much bigger impact on long-term financial security than salary alone.”
The property price to income ratio in Cumberland is 5.09, compared to the British average of 9.35, making home ownership far more attainable.
Estimated mortgage payments come to about £742 per month, leaving households with nearly 74 per cent of their annual income after covering these costs.
Mr Malnick noted that affordability is about more than just house prices.
He said: "People often focus on house prices alone when comparing different locations, but affordability is much broader than that.
"Areas where earnings remain competitive, housing costs stay proportionate and essential services are widely available tend to offer the best long-term value, particularly for first-time buyers and families planning their next move."
According to the study, nine of the 10 most affordable authorities are in northern England, with strong representation from the North East, North West, and Yorkshire.
A home in Cumberland costs roughly 47 per cent less than the Great Britain average (£322,578).
Homeowners in the area are left with 73.67 per cent of their income after paying the mortgage, compared to a negative 41.04 per cent in Kensington and Chelsea.
Mr Malnick said: "Affordability tends to be driven by balance rather than any single metric.
"That's important because buyers aren't just budgeting for a mortgage anymore.
"They're also considering transport, food shopping and other regular expenses before deciding where to move."
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