Is £30,000 a good salary in the UK? Here’s the complete analysis.
The Quick Answer
£30,000 is an above-median salary that provides comfortable living in most of the UK. It’s a solid benchmark for experienced workers outside London.
| Metric | £30,000 |
|---|---|
| vs. UK Median (£27,200) | +10% above |
| Income percentile | ~55th |
| Monthly take-home | £2,057 |
| Hourly equivalent | £14.42 |
How £30K Compares by Age
| Age Group | Median Salary | £30K vs. Median |
|---|---|---|
| 18-21 | £24,440 | +23% (very good) |
| 22-29 | £32,292 | -7% (slightly below) |
| 30-39 | £39,988 | -25% (below) |
| 40-49 | £42,796 | -30% (below) |
Bottom line: £30K is excellent for early 20s, reasonable for late 20s, but below average for 30s+.
How £30K Compares by Region
| Region | Median Salary | £30K Rating |
|---|---|---|
| North East | £24,500 | Excellent (+22%) |
| Wales | £25,200 | Very good (+19%) |
| Yorkshire | £25,700 | Very good (+17%) |
| West Midlands | £26,400 | Good (+14%) |
| South West | £26,700 | Good (+12%) |
| South East | £29,800 | Average (+1%) |
| London | £36,600 | Below average (-18%) |
Monthly Budget on £30K
Take-home pay: £2,057/month
| Category | Budget | % |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-bed) | £700 | 34% |
| Bills & Council Tax | £220 | 11% |
| Food & Groceries | £270 | 13% |
| Transport | £160 | 8% |
| Phone & Internet | £50 | 2% |
| Savings | £257 | 12% |
| Discretionary | £400 | 19% |
| Total | £2,057 | 100% |
Can You Afford Key Life Goals?
| Goal | Achievable on £30K? |
|---|---|
| Rent alone (most UK) | Yes |
| Rent alone (London) | Difficult — flatshare better |
| Build emergency fund | Yes |
| Own a reliable car | Yes |
| Save for house deposit | Yes (10-12 years for average UK home) |
| Holiday abroad annually | Yes, budget-friendly |
| Comfortable retirement | Yes, with consistent saving |
The Verdict
£30,000 is:
- ✅ Above median — better than most
- ✅ Comfortable living outside London
- ✅ Allows meaningful saving
- ⚠️ Tight for London solo living
- ⚠️ Below average for 30s+ workers
This salary suits: Workers with 2-5 years experience, those in lower cost-of-living areas, or people prioritizing work-life balance.
