Map shows how much you need to earn to be considered rich in each UK region
In fact, research shows that nine in 10 Brits who take home a six-figure annual wage before tax don't see themselves as well off.
And the amount required to be classed as wealthy eclipses £100,000 in most parts of the country.
The figures, from HSBC, reveal a wide wealth perception gap, with people underestimating their earnings relative to others by roughly 30 percentage points.
Those in the top 4% also tended to identify as the 'squeezed middle',positioning themselves in the top 52% relative to the rest of the population.
Overall, an average annual income of £213,000 was judged to be the amount needed for 'wealth', while higher earners put the figure at a whopping £724,000.
Perceptions aren't just affected by income level either, as different regionsshared vastly different views on what constitutes well-to-do in 2025.
Respondents in the North East of England said £80,000 would make someone affluent; still higher than the nationwide average, but far less than the £367,000 sum from the South East.
To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video
Londoners thought earnings of £289,000 meant someone could be considered wealthy, a figure which was (perhaps surprisingly) lower than than Scotland's £331,000 and South West England and Gibraltar's £323,000.
When it comes to other signifiers of affluence, 51% of the people saidowning a private jet and 48% owning a yacht.
However, high earners are likely to consider non-material factors – such as retiring early (48%), frequently travelling abroad (45%) or having investments (54%) – as more relevant symbols.
Additionally, a third of 18 to 24-year-olds believe having a strong work-life balance is a strong signifier of wealth – something 41% are aspiring to achieve in the next two years.
Vicky Reynal, financial psychotherapist, commented: 'HSBC UK's findings reveal a paradox: despite having high earnings and ambitious financial goals, many mass affluent individuals still don't feel wealthy. More Trending
'This disconnect underscores the psychology behind people's perceptions of wealth.
'Anxieties about rising costs, inadequate savings, and the pressure of social comparison create a sense of scarcity, even when objective wealth exists.
'By redefining wealth beyond the bank balance, focusing on our achievements, reducing unhelpful comparisons, and prioritising financial actions within our control, people can move confidently toward the future they aspire to.'
View More »
This article was originally published on March 3, 2025.
Do you have a story to share?
Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@Metro.co.uk.
MORE: I'm a sex worker, here's a look inside my finances
MORE: People are making financial decisions based on weather forecasts — and it's working
MORE: I tried a 'hybrid holiday' and discovered the secret to work-life balance
Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Scottish Sun
5 hours ago
- Scottish Sun
Brits can buy a home for €1 in French town that's set in a majestic natural park & gets 300 sunny days a year
The bargain buy comes with a long list of terms and conditions BON VOYAGE Brits can buy a home for €1 in French town that's set in a majestic natural park & gets 300 sunny days a year Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A FRENCH town is offering Brits the chance to up sticks and purchase a house for just one euro. The quaint village, located in Auverne, central France is struggling with a declining population, so is offering the bargain properties in a bid to entice newcomers in to the area. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 The quaint village is struggling with a declining population Credit: Alamy 5 Just 6,500 people currently live in Ambert Credit: Getty 5 The town is famous for the Forme d'Ambert cheese Credit: Alamy Italy launched a similar scheme back in 2017, with thousands relocating to idyllic Italian properties purchased for as little as 86p. Declining population Just 6,500 people currently live in Ambert, with locals hoping that the scheme will help to boost the population. The town, which is famous for the Forme d'Ambert cheese, has revealed a five year plan to improve the number of residents, with 60 percent of properties left vacant in one suburb. The wider scheme appears to have proven successful so far, as an extra class was added to the local school two years ago. Read more news stories APOCALYPSE NOW Inside abandoned British ghost town that looks straight out of Walking Dead Two one euro homes are currently on the market, both of which need significant renovations doing to them. Situated within a natural park Those who choose to purchase the homes will find themselves living within the surroundings of the stunning Natural Regional Park of Livradois-Forez. The natural park features rolling hills, deer, beautiful landscapes and plenty of quaint towns and villages to explore. In Ambert itself, you can find the Museum of Cheese, dedicated to Fourme d'Ambert, a blue cheese which dates back to Roman times. The town also has a paper mill, and a circular town hall called La Mairie. Plus, residents bask in 300 days of sunshine a year. I bought a one euro house in Italy - it now has its own spa and wine my dream home Homes come with strict terms and conditions Although the homes may seem like an absolute bargain, they come with their fair share of terms and conditions. To start with, anyone looking for a second-home is prohibited from snapping up the one euro properties. Plus, although the initial cost is extremely low, the two homes will be expensive to renovate. Once the houses have been made habitable, the owners are required to live in them for at least three years. Four cheap home renovation tricks YOU don't have to spend loads to give a room a new look. Here are five other home renovation tricks you can try. Kitchen cupboards One way to give your kitchen a complete transformation for less is to change the look of the kitchen cupboards. There are loads of different vinyl coverings out there to choose from, and it's a quick and easy way to update your home. Handles Another thing you can try that won't break the bank is to change up the handles. You can pick up relatively cheap handles in DIY stores, or even in the charity shop. Adding new ones to your kitchen cupboards, or doors in your house, can be extremely effective. Leftovers Most of us have old half-used tins of paint in the garage, but they're often forgotten about. However, there may be enough in the pot to paint a feature wall in another room, and you won't have to spend a penny. Freebies It's worth checking your local Facebook Marketplace, or Freecycle, to see what other people are getting rid of. As they say, one person's trash is another person's treasure. And if someone's planning to revamp a room, they might want to get rid of a sofa, or a coffee table, which you could use to give a lounge a new look. If they do not, hefty fines could be given out, including paying back any government grants given out for refurbishment. If you're looking for a job once you've moved to Ambert, the town's historic chamber of commerce and industry building is currently undergoing renovations. Once it reopens in 2026, it will bring lots of new jobs for locals. You will of course, have to brush up on your French though. One Brit who previously bought one of Italy's one euro homes, told how it hardly cost anything to renovate. Another revealed that hundreds are now desperate to pay to rent his one euro home. 5 The Church of Saint-Jean d'Ambert in the town centre Credit: Alamy
North Wales Live
6 hours ago
- North Wales Live
Summer holidays harder than a wedding or a new baby, parents say
Stressed parents claim the school holidays are one of life's biggest challenges - beating launching a business, planning a wedding and even having a new baby. Two-fifths of Brits tear their hair out juggling work and childcare, with starting a business, planning a wedding and preparing for a new baby are believed to be less stressful. According to research, parents of kids aged four up to 16 admitted when the six-week break begins they feel 'financially strained', 'overwhelmed' and 'disorganised'. More than half of the 1,000 parents quizzed in the survey by Just Eat said they were desperate for a 'summer lifeline' to help look after them and their kids. Just Eat has launched Just Eat+, a new pre-paid membership service that unlocks unlimited free delivery. Alongside trying to juggle busy schedules, a quarter of parents said summer was the most unpredictable season and 47% said at least half of their summer plans end up cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. From bad weather to children becoming unwell and unexpected overtime at work, there's always something putting a spanner in the works no matter how much prep parents do. Parents also said they have more social plans in summer than any other month, despite this nearly two thirds (63%) wish they could be more spontaneous. More than a quarter said the fear of splashing the cash held them back from being spontaneous with plans. Almost two-thirds of parents say that during the summer holidays they like to treat themselves to little luxuries more often than usual to keep spirits up. Parents said on average they spend more during summer compared to winter and Christmas, at £556.72 a month in summer compared to £507.98 a month in winter. 67% of parents actively search for discount codes during the summer break. With Just Eat+ subscribers have unlimited free delivery and exclusive freebies- including a free Greggs sausage roll.
Wales Online
6 hours ago
- Wales Online
Tourists abandon Turkey with country branded 'too expensive'
Tourists abandon Turkey with country branded 'too expensive' Turkey has been a popular holiday destination for Brits for generations but now tourists are abandoning the country as it is now seen as 'too expensive' compared to its European neighbours Turkey has become a holiday hotspot for Brits, but now faces a decline in numbers (Image: ugurhan via Getty Images ) A favourite among sun-seeking travellers is seeing a surprising drop in hotel stays, as rising costs begin to take a toll on tourism. A recent study has shown a dip in hotel occupancy rates in what is a popular holiday destination for British tourists. Turkey has become known for its affordability and sunny climates. However, despite its array of seaside resorts and bustling cities like Istanbul and Ankara, industry insiders are attributing the decline to spiralling costs and a perceived dip in the quality of entertainment on offer. Tourism Review has highlighted several aspects that signal trouble brewing within Turkey's usually vibrant tourism industry, with prices now rivalling those in Spain and Greece. The report suggests that the hike in accommodation costs to rising input expenses, noting that popular spots such as Antalya and Bodrum have witnessed price surges. For families looking to enjoy a break at these resorts, the cost could exceed 150,000 Turkish lira, approximately £2,750, whereas a comparable Greek getaway might range from £1,460 to £1,830. Article continues below "The economic situation within Turkey is the primary cause of the problems that we are seeing in tourism," Kvanç Meriç, the Izmir President of the Association of Turkish Travel Agencies, commented. The first five months of 2025 saw a marginal fall in visitor arrivals by 0.15% compared to the previous year, reports the Express. Meriç also voiced concerns over Turkey's tourism, adding: "Türkiye has lost its price advantage. Tourists are now choosing destinations where they get more value for the same money." Read the biggest stories in Wales first by signing up to our daily newsletter here Rising costs impacting tourists and a decline in visitors from key markets such as Russia, Germany, England, and Bulgaria have sparked a call for immediate action within Turkey's tourism sector. Despite Turkey's previously strong reputation for affordable holiday experiences, surpassing even Italy with 56.7 million foreign visitors last year, there are fears that profitability could be threatened unless pricing strategies are re-evaluated. Burhan Sili of Alanya Touristic Business Owners Association (ALTID) commented to Türkiye Daily on the need for balance: "We must reconsider our price balance while maintaining quality. "Otherwise, even if occupancy rates do not decrease, our profit margins may be seriously damaged. Rising costs and global competition require our sector to act more cautiously." Article continues below From the perspective of LMX Touristic Turkey, General Coordinator Serdar Bayraktar notes significant issues: "The exchange rate advantage is no longer sufficient and Turkey is perceived as an expensive country for foreign tourists. "Tax rates on basic needs such as food, energy and cleaning products and price increases on imported products are increasing the costs of tourism businesses."
