Looking to move home or taking your first steps on the property ladder? There are so many things to consider, especially when trying to stay on top of any changes in the housing market.
To help you do just that, we’re taking a look at average house prices around the UK and looking into how different parts of the country might appeal.
As of May 2024, the UK government’s house price index reports that the UK’s cheapest location for house prices is North East England. There, the average house price sits at just over £162,000.
In addition to lower house prices, the North receives buyer attention for numerous reasons:
Rural lifestyle: Compared to the South, North East England tends to have more rural landscapes . This brings with it a different way of living, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.
History: North East England is adorned with World Heritage sites. From historic churches like St. Peter’s in Sunderland to architectural masterpieces like Durham Castle, these sites draw in a large crowd from fans of history and British culture.
Work-life balance: Due to the rural appeal of the North East, many believe the region offers a better work-life balance. With remote and hybrid working now more popular than ever, some may be able to work for a company in Southern locations, while choosing to reside outside of the bigger cities.
In contrast to the above, the UK’s most expensive location for house prices is London. London’s average house price is over £523,000.
Excluding London, the second most expensive place to buy a house in the UK is South East England, with a figure of over £375,000.
There are a few reasons why house prices in South East England are higher than in other areas:
The London effect: For one, the sheer draw of London drives demand in the South East. Lots of people want to live closer to the UK capital due to the presence of more specialised job roles and industries, such as creative arts, fintech, and politics.
Higher average salaries: For many years, salaries in Southern England have been higher than those in the North. A 2021 study conducted on ONS data by Northern Powerhouse Partnership found that the median salary for people living in South East England is £4,900 higher than those living in the North.
Transportation: In terms of transport, there are many more high-volume travel locations in South East England compared to other regions in the UK. From airports like Heathrow and Gatwick to trans-Europe travel links, the region is much more well-connected and usable for those wishing to travel throughout the UK and Europe.
So, we know the cheapest and most expensive house prices, so what about the UK average as a whole?
As of May 2024, the UK’s average house price now sits at £285,000. This figure is reportedly £6,000 higher than it was in 2023, with England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland all reporting single-digit percentage increases in the same period.
On a regional basis, the location that saw the greatest increases from 2023 to 2024 was Scotland, where house prices increased by 2.5%. Wales saw the second highest increase with 2.4%, and England saw the third with 2.2%.
Northern Ireland did see a higher increase than Scotland at 4%, but the data for this was gathered from March 2024, not May like the others.
Interestingly, the house price index reports that detached properties increased at a slightly lower rate than semi-detached properties in 2023 to 2024.
Detached houses increased in price by 3.5%, whereas semi-detached houses increased by 3.9%. Terraced houses increased by 2%, and flats/maisonettes decreased by 0.9%.
The Aldermore team is dedicated to keeping you up to date with the latest news in the housing market. For more insights and analysis, stick to the Aldermore blog, and explore our mortgage products today.
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