Nested, the British-based online realtor, has released its Rental Affordability Index (2017) results, which reveals the price of renting per square foot in 33 London boroughs, 15 UK cities and 72 cities worldwide. Based on this, the research could further convey the minimum gross salary required to support an individual and a family of four in rented property, based on the minimum space recommended for one person, and for a family.

The comprehensive study was undertaken in order to understand the costs associated with renting as an individual and as a family, and to determine whether cities are becoming increasingly unaffordable. The inclusion of specific results for each of the 33 London boroughs allows easy comparison between regional and global cities to the UK capital, with its much-publicised unaffordability.

The price per square foot of property was calculated based upon current market listings for all locations researched, whilst the minimum space recommended for one person and four people is laid out in guidelines from the Greater London Authority.The gross salary guideline was included to help illustrate relative affordability.

The 10 most expensive rental cities in the world

City Rental Cost Per Sq. Ft. Monthly Rental for a Single Person Annual Income Needed for Single Person Monthly Rental for a Family Annual Income Needed for Family 1 San Francisco, USA £3.98 £1,669.59 £69,086.52 £3,167.94 £131,087.16 2 New York City, USA £3.81 £1,600.17 £66,213.96 £3,036.22 £125,636.64 3 Hong Kong, Hong Kong £3.08 £1,292.46 £53,481.12 £2,452.36 £101,476.92 4 Dubai, UAE £2.83 £1,189.11 £49,204.56 £2,256.26 £93,362.52 5 Singapore, Singapore £2.68 £1,124.76 £46,541.76 £2,134.16 £88,310.04 6 Washington D.C., USA £2.67 £1,120.47 £46,364.28 £2,126.02 £87,973.20 7 Geneva, Switzerland £2.48 £1,039.74 £43,023.72 £1,972.84 £81,634.80 8 Sydney, Australia £2.35 £986.70 £40,828.92 £1,872.20 £77,470.32 9 Zurich, Switzerland £2.34 £982.41 £40,651.44 £1,864.06 £77,133.48 10 Los Angeles, USA £2.30 £965.25 £39,941.40 £1,831.50 £75,786.24

Source: Nested