RENTING in Brighton and Hove costs among the highest proportions of income of anywhere in the UK, a study has revealed.

Data analysed by Property Inspect found that the city was second only to Oxford for the worst rent to income disparity, with a two-bedroom property costing on average 37.6 per cent of monthly income.

Brighton and Hove residents earn on average £3,194 per month but can expect to pay roughly £1,200 to rent a two-bedroom house.

Oxford's disparity was only slightly higher at 37.8 per cent.

Top five cities with worst rent to income disparity

  1.  Oxford - 37.8 per cent
  2.  Brighton and Hove - 37.6 per cent
  3.  Epsom and Ewell - 37 per cent
  4.  Hertsmere - 36.6 per cent
  5.  Bristol - 35.7 per cent

By contrast, residents in the cheapest area in the UK, Bromley, only need to part with a respectable 29.3 per cent of their salary for their rent.

Warrick Swift from Property Inspect said: "House prices are on the rise and demand heavily outweighs the number of properties available.

"Getting onto the housing ladder is becoming an increasingly difficult task, and the cost of living is an ever-increasing prospect.

"With prospective home buyers hoping to get onto the property ladder, the rent to income disparity is increasing the gap more and more."

Crawley had a rent to income disparity of 33.3 per cent, with Worthing 30.3 per cent, 30.2 per cent in Eastbourne and 30 per cent in Chichester.