Most affordable places to live in Essex
Essex’s 14 areas ranked by affordability (price vs local earnings) — most affordable areas. Every figure from ONS house price to workplace-based earnings ratio (Tables 5a/5b/5c), 2025. Indicative, not a valuation.
| # | Area | Affordability (price vs local earnings) (× earnings) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tendring | 8.0× |
| 2 | Colchester | 8.4× |
| 3 | Thurrock | 8.7× |
| 4 | Harlow | 8.8× |
| 5 | Braintree | 9.2× |
| 6 | Basildon | 9.7× |
| 7 | Castle Point | 9.8× |
| 8 | Southend-on-Sea | 10.7× |
| 9 | Chelmsford | 10.7× |
| 10 | Rochford | 11.1× |
| 11 | Maldon | 11.1× |
| 12 | Uttlesford | 11.7× |
| 13 | Epping Forest | 12.4× |
| 14 | Brentwood | 12.9× |
Source: ONS house price to workplace-based earnings ratio (Tables 5a/5b/5c) · 2025. Ranked lowest first.
Other Essex rankings
House prices5-year house-price growthPrice per square metreCrime rateSchools rated Good or OutstandingGigabit broadband availabilityFastest train to the cityCouncil tax (Band D)Deprivation (IMD decile, 10 = least deprived)Air quality — NO₂Air quality — PM2.5Flood risk (in a flood zone)Life satisfactionUnemployment rateHome ownershipDegree-level educationResidents in good healthMedian age