Where to live in London on a £70,000 salary
On £70,000 you take home roughly £4,263/month after tax and NI. That gives you a rent budget of around £1,492/month (35% of take-home). Here's where that actually gets you in London.
Gross salary
£70,000
Take-home (monthly)
£4,263
Rent budget (33%)
£1,407
Rent budget (35%)
£1,492
What £1,492/month buys in London
At £1,492/month your 1-bed options are mostly in Zones 3–4. Romford and Tottenham are good starting points.
Areas within your budget
23 neighbourhoods where 1-bed rent is at or under £1,492/month (≤ 35% of take-home)
| Neighbourhood | Borough | 1-bed rent | % of take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Romford | Havering | £1,200 | 28% |
| Tottenham | Haringey | £1,250 | 29% |
| Enfield Town | Enfield | £1,250 | 29% |
| Barking | Barking and Dagenham | £1,250 | 29% |
| Bexleyheath | Bexley | £1,250 | 29% |
| Sutton | Sutton | £1,250 | 29% |
| Uxbridge | Hillingdon | £1,250 | 29% |
| Forest Gate | Newham | £1,300 | 30% |
| Ilford | Redbridge | £1,300 | 30% |
| Catford | Lewisham | £1,300 | 30% |
| Wood Green | Haringey | £1,350 | 32% |
| Harrow | Harrow | £1,350 | 32% |
| Leyton | Waltham Forest | £1,350 | 32% |
| Croydon | Croydon | £1,350 | 32% |
| Walthamstow | Waltham Forest | £1,400 | 33% |
| Hendon | Barnet | £1,400 | 33% |
| Cricklewood | Brent | £1,400 | 33% |
| Streatham | Lambeth | £1,400 | 33% |
| New Cross | Lewisham | £1,400 | 33% |
| Deptford | Lewisham | £1,450 | 34% |
| Lewisham | Lewisham | £1,450 | 34% |
| Crystal Palace | Bromley | £1,450 | 34% |
| Kingston | Kingston upon Thames | £1,450 | 34% |
Areas that stretch your budget
35–42% of take-home — doable but tight. Worth it if the area is genuinely right for you.
Crouch End
35%Haringey
£1,500/mo
Tooting
35%Wandsworth
£1,500/mo
Acton
35%Ealing
£1,500/mo
Holloway
35%Islington
£1,500/mo
Archway
35%Islington
£1,500/mo
Muswell Hill
35%Haringey
£1,500/mo
Finchley
35%Barnet
£1,500/mo
Kilburn
35%Brent
£1,500/mo
Bow
35%Tower Hamlets
£1,500/mo
Mile End
35%Tower Hamlets
£1,500/mo
Camberwell
35%Southwark
£1,500/mo
Forest Hill
35%Lewisham
£1,500/mo
Frequently asked questions
What is the take-home pay for a £70,000 salary?
On a £70,000 gross salary, you take home approximately £4,263 per month after income tax and National Insurance (2025/26 rates).
How much rent can I afford on £70,000?
Most financial guidance suggests spending no more than 33–35% of take-home pay on rent. On £70,000that's approximately £1,407–£1,492/month for a 1-bed flat.
Should I house share or rent alone on £70,000?
On £70,000, house sharing will significantly expand your options. Expect to pay £800–£1,100/month for a room in a shared house in Zone 2, which leaves more of your salary for savings and quality of life.
Other salary guides
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