Poverty and living standards in North West, United Kingdom: official figures
29.1% of children under 16 in the North West lived in relative low-income families after housing costs in 2024/25 (DWP), 4th highest rate of 9 English regions; before housing costs the figure was 24.5%. UK-wide rates were 26.0% and 19.3%.
How many households are in fuel poverty in the North West?
10.2% of households in the North West were in fuel poverty in 2024 under the Low Income Low Energy Efficiency measure, 4th highest rate of 9 English regions (England 9.9%).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many people claim benefits in the North West?
4.1% of residents aged 16 to 64 in the North West were claiming unemployment-related benefits in 2025, against 4.0% across England.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyWhat is the average house price in the North West?
The average home in the North West cost £220,393 in August 2026 (UK House Price Index), 3rd cheapest of 9 English regions and 23.5% more than five years earlier; England's average was £293,525.
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow affordable is housing in the North West?
A typical home in the North West cost 5.9 times the median annual earnings of residents in 2025, up from 5.5 in 2015 (2nd most affordable of 9 regions; England 7.6).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyWhat is the murder rate in the North West?
Police recorded 9.4 homicides per million people a year in the North West over the three years from April 2022 (England 9.1).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow many new homes are built in the North West?
The housing stock in the North West grew by 7.0 net additional homes per 1,000 dwellings in 2024/25 (England 8.0).
Source: Office for National Statistics · saved copyHow North West compares with other region of Englands
Children in relative low income after housing costs (2024/25)
North West ranks 4 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.
| Rank | Region | Children in relative low income after housing costs |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Midlands | 32.2% |
| 2 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 30.8% |
| 3 | London | 30.7% |
| 4 | North West | 29.1% |
| 5 | North East | 28.9% |
| 6 | East Midlands | 26.5% |
| 7 | East of England | 23.4% |
Households in fuel poverty (LILEE) (2024)
North West ranks 4 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.
| Rank | Region | Households in fuel poverty (LILEE) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Midlands | 12.1% |
| 2 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 11.3% |
| 3 | East Midlands | 10.6% |
| 4 | North West | 10.2% |
| 5 | South West | 9.9% |
| 6 | London | 9.6% |
| 7 | East of England | 9.3% |
House price to residence-based earnings ratio (2025)
North West ranks 8 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.
| Rank | Region | House price to residence-based earnings ratio |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | East of England | 8.5 |
| 4 | South West | 8.3 |
| 5 | East Midlands | 6.9 |
| 6 | West Midlands | 6.8 |
| 7 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 6.0 |
| 8 | North West | 5.9 |
| 9 | North East | 4.9 |
Average house price (August 2026)
North West ranks 7 of 9, highest first. The 9 regions of England only; Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland are compared on their own pages.
| Rank | Region | Average house price |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | East of England | £337,848 |
| 4 | South West | £304,139 |
| 5 | West Midlands | £250,731 |
| 6 | East Midlands | £241,955 |
| 7 | North West | £220,393 |
| 8 | Yorkshire and the Humber | £209,266 |
| 9 | North East | £165,640 |
Children under 16 in relative low income, after housing costs (%) (2024-25)
North West ranks 4 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 16 in relative low income, after housing costs (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Midlands | 32.2% |
| 2 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 30.8% |
| 3 | London | 30.7% |
| 4 | North West | 29.1% |
| 5 | North East | 28.9% |
| 6 | East Midlands | 26.5% |
| 7 | Wales | 26.1% |
Children under 16 in relative low income, before housing costs (%) (2024-25)
North West ranks 4 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children under 16 in relative low income, before housing costs (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | West Midlands | 27.1% |
| 2 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 27.0% |
| 3 | North East | 25.1% |
| 4 | North West | 24.5% |
| 5 | East Midlands | 21.5% |
| 6 | Wales | 21.2% |
| 7 | Northern Ireland | 18.9% |
People aged 16 to 64 claiming unemployment-related benefits (%) (2025)
North West ranks 3 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People aged 16 to 64 claiming unemployment-related benefits (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | London | 5.6% |
| 2 | West Midlands | 5.3% |
| 3 | North West | 4.1% |
| 4 | Yorkshire and the Humber | 4.1% |
| 5 | North East | 3.7% |
| 6 | East Midlands | 3.5% |
| 7 | Wales | 3.3% |
Average house price (£) (August 2026)
North West ranks 7 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Average house price (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | South West | £304,139 |
| 5 | West Midlands | £250,731 |
| 6 | East Midlands | £241,955 |
| 7 | North West | £220,393 |
| 8 | Wales | £216,363 |
| 9 | Yorkshire and the Humber | £209,266 |
| 10 | Northern Ireland | £202,487 |
Public spending on social protection per head (£) (2024-25)
North West ranks 5 of 12, highest first. Pensions, benefits and social care, Country and Regional Analysis
| Rank | Region | Public spending on social protection per head (£) |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Wales | £6,471 |
| 3 | Scotland | £6,123 |
| 4 | North East | £6,111 |
| 5 | North West | £5,686 |
| 6 | West Midlands | £5,507 |
| 7 | Yorkshire and the Humber | £5,458 |
| 8 | South West | £5,417 |
More on North West: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · government and politics · the United Kingdom
Sources
- Office for National Statistics: Explore Local Statistics: all datasets (116 indicators for UK local areas, regions and nations), spreadsheet generated 22 October 2026, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 ae2f3a7b3960…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.