Sandwell

Affordable to enter but constrained by low wages and high social challenges, Sandwell offers a distinct set of trade-offs for prospective residents. Housing is relatively accessible, with a median price of £217,000, which sits at 6.2 times median annual pay. While this ratio is lower than the regional median, the local economy remains difficult, as weekly earnings of £670.80 are among the lowest in the West Midlands. Rent consumes 32.3% of gross median earnings, a significant portion of a modest income. Beyond the finances, the area faces substantial hurdles, with a deprivation score higher than 96% of English authorities and elevated crime rates. This location suits those who prioritise lower entry costs and access to schools, where 94.9% of pupils attend Good or Outstanding providers, over local economic growth.

Written from the indicators on this page, 2026-10 data.

Colour shows quintile position against 361 UK Local Authorities. Green is the best position for someone moving here; red is the worst. Direction is set per indicator — higher pay, lower rent, less crime, less deprivation are all green.

Sandwell head-to-heads