Stark differences between life in Medway and the rest of Kent have been exposed in a new Ipsos MORI Kent and Medway Survey.

It reveals the average gross household income in Medway is almost £9,000 lower than in Kent.

Other significant differences include home and car ownership - and the extra amount of time Medway people are prepared to give up to help others.

How do we know?

A survey of 1,838 adults aged 16 years and over resident in Kent and Medway were questioned by Ipsos MORI to peer into the lifestyles of residents across the region.

The survey was commissioned by the KM Group and Kent County Council and will be used to investigate current lifestyles and help identify future lifestyle changes.

It shows that the average gross household income for Medway residents is £25,419 per annum, almost £9,000 lower than for those resident in the KCC area.

Seventeen per cent are considered to be from the professional and managerial AB social class grouping in Medway, six percentage points lower than for the rest of Kent (23 per cent).

Twenty four per cent in Medway own their home outright - 16 percentage points lower than in KCC’s area. Forty per cent are buying on a mortgage (35 per cent KCC) and more rent their accommodation (33 per cent Medway; 24 per cent KCC).

So how are your cooking skills? And what do you think of your neighbourhood? Compare your thoughts with others'

In Medway a larger proportion of households are without a car (or light van) - 24 per cent versus 13 per cent - and a smaller proportion have two or more vehicles (33 per cent to 42 per cent).

The average amount of time given up to help groups, clubs or organisations is 10.5 hours a week, which is 3.2 hours more than people in KCC’s area.

When asked “what most needs improving” in their local area “anti social behaviour”, “activities for young people”, “the cost of living”, “state of the roads” and “crime/levels of crime” topped the poll in Medway.

Almost half (47 per cent) of Medway residents are married and 15 per cent are living with a partner. Eighteen per cent are single.

Over half (57 per cent) live in households without children under 18 years old.

Almost seven in 10 (69 per cent) are aged between 16 and 54. Almost half (49 per cent) are working full or part-time and 20 per cent travel outside of Kent or Medway to work.

The survey was conducted for KCC and the KM Group by Ipsos MORI. Face-to-face in-home interviews were conducted across Kent and Medway with 1,838 people aged 16 and over between h February 25 and April 30, 2008.

• The Citizens' Panel needs you.

You can help decision-makers understand what makes Kent and Medway people tick.

The Kent and Medway Citizens Panel is recruiting new panel members who, if selected, will be asked to participate no more than two or three times a year.

More details, including an entry form, are on www.kmcp.co.uk