On average women pay more of their salary towards rent than men, research from room share platform ideal flatmate has showed.

The average male is required to spend 28.6% of their salary on rent, while this climbs to 42.6% for the average female.

This gap is at its largest in England at 17.9%, with men spending 35.5% of their salary on rent while women spend 53.4%.

Tom Gatzen, co-founder of ideal flatmate, said: “Despite the spotlight that has focussed on the gender pay gap for quite some time, it’s clear there is still a worryingly large disparity between the earnings of female and male workers across the UK.

“This isn’t simply a case of equal pay but equal opportunity across the board and there is a real lack of this when it comes to rental affordability in particular.

“Tackling the UK rental market is tough enough as it is without the immediate set back of a 14% reduction in your rental potential due to a lower wage.

“As a result of this inferior financial foundation, female workers are forced to either pay far more in rent or be priced out of the market altogether, resulting in a wider search, a longer commute, and a lower quality of life.”

The smallest gap is in Wales, with women spending 35.3% while it costs men 25.4%, a 9.8% difference.

Based on the average wage for those living there, East Renfrewshire in Scotland is the most affordable spot for men with just 17.1% of salary spent on rent each month.

Rhondda Cynon Taf in the south of Wales is the most affordable rental market for women, however, it would require them to pay 29.7% of their salary on rent.

In London, male renters in Bexley have it best, paying 39% of their salary on rent, while Greenwich is the most affordable for female tenants but requires 58.5% of their salary to rent.