That's perfectly right, especially in 2017. £30K will leave you with about £1970/month after tax and national insurance (tax calculator), and even less if you're paying pension and student load. And if you have kids, you're doomed. We live in Oxfordshire, not the cheapest area in the UK but not as expensive as London, and we're struggling to kee our heads above the water even with £3700 net income per month - we have 2 children of age 2 though. But for London, £30K is nothing.30k in London is pissing in the wind. Especially if you have kids.Sadly I know this only too well.(...produces well handled empty starbucks cup)