A friend is making about £180k / yr in London, and they bought a house recently in London. I think that's a lot, and his wife also makes a similar amount, slightly more. That seems to be the minimum, otherwise you're a renter for life. Pretty nuts.
The average house price in London in July 2025 was £565k [pp33 - 2].
There is not being able to afford something and then there is not being able to afford exactly what you want.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/personal-incomes-s... [2] https://data.london.gov.uk/download/24rpx/37w/Housing%20in%2...
First, you'll take home slightly over half of that net of various taxes and deductions, but let's be generous and say your take-home is 200k. You live very frugally, don't go out, don't really buy anything and keep your costs at 50k a year, including rent (!). That leaves you with 150k a year, so after 5 years you have 750k. This allows you to buy a modest 2-3 bed row house with a postage stamp sized garden in one of the less desirable areas of the city.
If you want something that doesn't look like a shed, you are looking at 1 million pounds and up, more like 1.5 million. If you want in a nice area and large garden, make it 2 million.
The only thing I can think of that would even come close to making a difference is having children. Then all bets are off, they can cost as much as you like.
'Inner London' and it goes up to £876K
Assuming a 90% mortgage that's 487k mortgage
That's two people on £70k each at a 3.5 multiple. £60k at a 4x multiple.
Two people on £180k would get you a £1.5m house, twice the average semi.
[0] https://landregistry.data.gov.uk/app/ukhpi/browse?from=2025-...
What sector?