About the data
Average house prices in Devon are high whilst earnings are below the national average, contributing to a house price ratio of 9.4, in excess of the national average level at 7.9. Some earnings to house price ratios in the Devon districts are the highest in the South West with ratios in both North Devon and South Hams in excess of 10. By way of comparison Plymouth is the lowest at 6.3.
The high house price ratio has an important impact on affordability and standard of living, helping to explain levels of relative poverty within some parts of the county, particularly rural areas where younger people on lower incomes are priced out of the market. Ensuring Devon can attract and retain young workers is important to make sure we have a sufficiently skilled workforce to meet the needs of the future, especially in the face of a shrinking working age population.