A new study carried out by a company called Chicksx.com has looked at the proportion that UK motorists spend on fuel relative to earned income. This analysis has revealed that Tower Hamlets residents spend the smallest proportion of their income on fuel compared to any other area in the UK.
The research analysed fuel prices and income data across the country to identify where filling up a tank puts the highest and lowest strain on household budgets.
Despite not having the cheapest raw fuel prices, Tower Hamlets benefits from a high average weekly income of £1,243, making a full 50-litre tank of petrol (£66.98) represent just 5.39% of weekly earnings.
Southwark ranks second in the UK for fuel affordability, with residents spending 7.06% of their weekly income (£934) on a full tank of petrol. A 50-litre tank in the London borough costs an average of £65.97.
Camden takes third place with residents spending 7.14% of their weekly income (£952) on a full tank of petrol costing £67.95. The data shows a clear advantage for Londoners, with Islington and Lambeth completing the top five at 7.14% and 7.34%, respectively.
The data reveals that Westminster ranks sixth for fuel affordability with residents spending 7.37% of weekly income on a full tank of petrol. Newham (7.47%), Hackney (7.48%), Stevenage (7.58%), and Three Rivers (7.61%) round out the top ten.
The study also identified the places with the cheapest raw fuel prices, regardless of local incomes. Dundee City offers the UK’s cheapest petrol at £1.26 per litre, while Ashfield in Nottinghamshire has the lowest diesel prices at £1.33 per litre.
At the other end of the scale, Merthyr Tydfil in Wales is the least affordable place for fuel. Residents spend 11.85% of their weekly income (£590) on a full tank of petrol costing £69.93. This is more than double the percentage spent in Tower Hamlets.
Oadby and Wigston in Leicestershire is the second least affordable area, with residents spending 11.74% of their weekly income on petrol. Bolsover in Derbyshire has the third least affordable fuel costs at 11.73% of weekly income.
The study found that fuel costs are particularly burdensome in areas with lower average incomes. In Pendle, where the average weekly income is just £575 (the lowest in the study), residents spend 11.54% of their earnings on a full tank of petrol.
The 10 cheapest areas for fuel (relative to weekly earnings)
| Area | Percentage of weekly income for petrol | Percentage of weekly income for diesel | Weekly income | Petrol price per litre | |
| 1 | Tower Hamlets | 5.39% | 5.65% | £1,243.00 | £1.34 |
| 2 | Southwark | 7.06% | 7.40% | £934.00 | £1.32 |
| 3 | Camden | 7.14% | 7.48% | £952.00 | £1.36 |
| 4 | Islington | 7.14% | 7.45% | £953.00 | £1.36 |
| 5 | Lambeth | 7.34% | 7.74% | £924.00 | £1.36 |
| 6 | Westminster | 7.37% | 7.77% | £951.00 | £1.40 |
| 7 | Newham | 7.47% | 7.91% | £876.00 | £1.31 |
| 8 | Hackney | 7.48% | 7.98% | £900.00 | £1.35 |
| 9 | Stevenage | 7.58% | 7.88% | £848.00 | £1.29 |
| 10 | Three Rivers | 7.61% | 7.99% | £867.00 | £1.32 |
The research shows a striking difference in how fuel costs impact households across different parts of the UK. While the actual price at the pump matters, what’s more important is how those prices relate to local earnings.
