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Contents
Understanding regional house prices helps you make better buying decisions. Here’s a comprehensive look at the UK property market in 2026.
UK House Prices Overview
National Averages (2026)
Property Type
Average Price
Monthly Change
Annual Change
All properties
£285,000
+0.3%
+2.1%
Detached
£445,000
+0.2%
+1.8%
Semi-detached
£280,000
+0.4%
+2.5%
Terraced
£235,000
+0.3%
+2.2%
Flat
£220,000
+0.1%
+0.8%
Indicative figures — actual prices vary significantly by location.
Regional House Prices
Average Prices by Region
Region
Average Price
vs UK Average
First-Time Buyer Avg
London
£520,000
+82%
£450,000
South East
£385,000
+35%
£320,000
East of England
£340,000
+19%
£290,000
South West
£320,000
+12%
£270,000
West Midlands
£250,000
-12%
£210,000
East Midlands
£240,000
-16%
£200,000
North West
£220,000
-23%
£180,000
Yorkshire & Humber
£210,000
-26%
£175,000
Wales
£215,000
-25%
£180,000
Scotland
£195,000
-32%
£160,000
North East
£160,000
-44%
£135,000
Northern Ireland
£180,000
-37%
£150,000
Affordability Analysis
House Price to Earnings Ratio
Region
Price/Earnings Ratio
Interpretation
London
12.5×
Severely unaffordable
South East
9.5×
Very unaffordable
South West
9.0×
Very unaffordable
East of England
8.5×
Unaffordable
England average
8.0×
Unaffordable
West Midlands
7.0×
Stretched
East Midlands
6.5×
Stretched
North West
6.0×
Moderately affordable
Yorkshire
5.8×
Moderately affordable
Wales
6.2×
Moderately affordable
Scotland
5.2×
More affordable
North East
4.5×
Most affordable
Below 4× is traditionally considered affordable.
Deposit Requirements by Region
10% deposit needed:
Region
10% Deposit
15% Deposit
20% Deposit
London
£52,000
£78,000
£104,000
South East
£38,500
£57,750
£77,000
England average
£28,500
£42,750
£57,000
North West
£22,000
£33,000
£44,000
North East
£16,000
£24,000
£32,000
Best Areas for First-Time Buyers
Most Affordable Places to Buy
Area
Average Price
Property Type
Notes
Burnley, Lancs
£95,000
Terraced
Good transport links
Hyndburn, Lancs
£105,000
Terraced
Near Manchester jobs
County Durham
£115,000
Mixed
Varied towns
Stoke-on-Trent
£130,000
Mixed
Regenerating
Bradford
£140,000
Mixed
Leeds commutable
Hull
£135,000
Mixed
University city
Best Value: Price vs Amenities
Area Type
Average Price
What You Get
Northern city suburbs
£150-200k
Transport, jobs, amenities
Midlands market towns
£200-250k
Space, community, connections
South West coastal towns
£250-300k
Lifestyle, varied economy
Commuter belt towns
£300-400k
London access, space
London Property Market
London Borough Prices
Borough Type
Average Price
Example Boroughs
Prime Central
£1m+
Westminster, Kensington
Inner London
£600-800k
Hackney, Wandsworth
Outer London (expensive)
£500-600k
Richmond, Bromley
Outer London (affordable)
£350-450k
Barking, Bexley, Havering
First-Time Buyer Sweet Spots
Borough
FTB Average
Zone
Notes
Barking & Dagenham
£310,000
4-5
Most affordable
Bexley
£360,000
4-6
Family areas
Havering
£380,000
5-6
Essex borders
Croydon
£380,000
4-6
Good transport
Lewisham
£420,000
2-4
Gentrifying
Scotland Property Prices
Scottish Regions
Area
Average Price
Notes
Edinburgh
£310,000
Most expensive
Glasgow
£180,000
Largest city
Aberdeen
£175,000
Oil industry impact
Highlands
£195,000
Rural premium
Borders
£185,000
Scenic, remote
Scotland vs England
Factor
Scotland
England
Stamp duty
LBTT (different rates)
Stamp Duty Land Tax
Legal system
Different
Different
Buying process
Offers over
Negotiated
Surveys
Home report required
Buyer’s choice
Wales Property Prices
Welsh Regions
Area
Average Price
Notes
Cardiff
£275,000
Capital, most expensive
Vale of Glamorgan
£320,000
Affluent Cardiff neighbour
Pembrokeshire
£245,000
Coastal premium
North Wales
£200,000
Varied
Valleys
£140,000
Most affordable
Wales-Specific
Factor
Wales
Stamp duty
LTT (different rates)
Second homes
Higher LTT rates
Holiday lets
Council tax changes
Market Trends & Outlook
What’s Affecting Prices
Factor
Impact
Direction
Mortgage rates
Major
Stable/improving
Wage growth
Positive
Supporting affordability
Housing supply
Constraining
Keeping prices elevated
Economic uncertainty
Dampening
Limiting growth
Demographic demand
Supporting
Long-term positive
Regional Outlook
Region
Short-term
Medium-term
London
Flat
Moderate growth
South East
Flat
Moderate growth
South West
Growing
Good prospects
Midlands
Stable
Steady growth
North
Growing
Catching up
Scotland
Varied
City growth, rural flat
Wales
Stable
Regional variation
Buying Considerations
Beyond Price: What to Research
Factor
Why It Matters
Employment
Local job market
Transport
Commute options
Schools
Family planning
Development
Future changes
Flood risk
Insurance, value
Crime
Living quality
Value Indicators
Sign
Interpretation
New businesses opening
Area improving
Transport improvements
Prices likely to rise
University expansion
Student demand
Major employer leaving
Prices may fall
Regeneration funding
Long-term positive
Key Takeaways
Regional variation is huge — £160k North East vs £520k London
Affordability varies — 4.5× earnings in North East vs 12.5× in London
Look at value, not just price — transport, jobs, amenities matter
Research thoroughly — local factors vary within regions
Consider commuting — cheaper areas with good links
Watch for regeneration — early entry into improving areas
Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on your mortgage. PocketWise provides information and guidance — we do not offer financial advice. Seek independent mortgage advice before making decisions about borrowing.