The disparity in income levels between affluent and impoverished neighborhoods in the country is widening, with the wealthiest households having nearly £87,000 more in disposable income annually compared to the least affluent ones.

According to recent data from the Office for National Statistics, households in the exclusive Leamouth neighborhood of Tower Hamlets enjoyed an average disposable income of £107,600 after taxes in the fiscal year ending 2023. This makes Leamouth the top-earning neighborhood in the country, characterized by upscale riverside towerblocks situated between Canning Town and Canary Wharf.

On the other end of the spectrum, Sparkhill North in Birmingham recorded the lowest average income nationwide, with households in the area having a meager disposable income of just under £20,800 per year, marking a staggering £86,800 income disparity with Leamouth.

Notably, the income gap between the wealthiest and poorest neighborhoods has widened substantially over the past three years. For instance, in the financial year ending 2020, the disparity stood at £50,300 annually, indicating a 73% increase within this short timeframe.

Moreover, substantial income discrepancies are also evident within council areas. In Tower Hamlets, Shadwell North reported the lowest average disposable income in the fiscal year ending 2023, with households having a typical income of £33,800 annually after tax. This translates to a substantial £73,800 income gap when compared to Leamouth, representing the most significant disparity between affluent and impoverished neighborhoods within the same local authority.

Across various regions, similar income disparities exist. For example, in Southwark, there is a £63,300 gap between the affluent Butler’s Wharf and Queen’s Walk area, where households had an average disposable income of £100,900 per year, and the less affluent South Bermondsey East, where the average income stood at £37,600 annually.

The city of Oxford showcases one of the largest income gaps in the nation, with the Oxford Central neighborhood boasting an average disposable income exceeding £87,300 per year, in stark contrast to Blackbird Leys, where the average income is over £34,100 annually.

Cities like Salford and Birmingham also exhibit significant income disparities. In Salford, households in Salford Quays reported a disposable income of £67,800 per year, while those in Pendleton had a substantially lower income of £23,400 annually. Similarly, the Central neighborhood in Birmingham had an average disposable income of £63,400, markedly higher than Sparkhill North’s £20,800 average income.

These income discrepancies have been brought to light by recent statistics from the Office for National Statistics, which analyzes the combined disposable income of households every two years. The data is broken down into small geographical areas, known as Middle Layer Super Output Areas, comprising between 2,000 and 6,000 households.

In Birmingham, the six lowest-earning neighborhoods in the country are all concentrated within the city, with Sparkhill North leading the list, followed by areas like Sparkbrook South, Small Heath Park, Saltley East, Washwood Heath, and Bordesley Green North.

Overall, the figures reveal that nearly half of London’s neighborhoods rank in the top 10% nationally in terms of average disposable household income, reflecting significant income disparities across different regions and localities in the UK.