Haven't worked out the proportion of income, but our mortgage decision was made based on being able to service the loan on one income. Initially this was when I was a SAHM but we have since had other circumstances when I was forcibly without income, so as it happens our earlier decision-making paid off (so to speak).

TBH 50% sounds high. Does your next move involve moving a long way, or is it just different places within the one city? I'm asking because you need to factor in the potential for increasing income. Eg, if location 1 comes with more opportunities for promotion & pay rises, then maybe that's worth paying more to live than location 2. On the other hand, if location 2 is generally much cheaper to live (fresh food, electricity, transport, etc) then maybe that's the better whole-lifestyle decision to make, kwim?

As for commuting - this is a tricky one. To get the cheaper house in a pleasant suburb, we live further out. Benefits: clean air, sound of birds tweeting, larger house on nicer street than same amount of $$$ would get elsewhere. Downsides: 45-60 min commute (each way). Public transport vs high carparking costs. It's a minimum 30+ minute drive to get to pretty much any event. However, we are much closer to dH's work, so I wear the long commute & compensate by working a shorter week (and therefore am paid less $$$). On the balance, it works for us, but you might feel differently depending on the specifics of your situation & the locations you are looking at.