£285,000
UK Average (Jan 2026)
+2-3% year-on-year
£305,000
England Average
Source: ONS HPI
£510,000
London Average
Highest in UK
£162,000
North East (Lowest)
Most affordable region
Interactive Region Selector
Click a region to see the average house price, year-on-year change, and affordability data.
Select a region above to view detailed data.
Average House Prices by Region 2026
| Region | Average Price | Change YoY | Price-to-Earnings | Relative |
|---|
Source: Land Registry, ONS House Price Index, Rightmove, Zoopla. Estimates for Jan 2026.
Average House Price by Property Type 2026
| Property Type | Average Price | Change YoY | Typical Deposit (10%) |
|---|
| Detached | £460,000 | +2.5% | £46,000 |
| Semi-detached | £285,000 | +2.3% | £28,500 |
| Terraced | £240,000 | +2.0% | £24,000 |
| Flat / Maisonette | £240,000 | +1.5% | £24,000 |
Historic UK House Price Trend
UK average house prices have grown dramatically over the past four decades. Here is a snapshot of key milestones:
| Year | Average Price | Change from 1990 | Notes |
|---|
| 1990 | £59,000 | Baseline | Post-Lawson boom correction |
| 2000 | £84,000 | +42% | Pre-dot-com recovery |
| 2010 | £167,000 | +183% | Post-financial crisis dip |
| 2020 | £247,000 | +319% | Pre-pandemic and stamp duty holiday |
| 2023 | £285,000 | +383% | Post-rate rise correction stabilising |
| 2026 (est.) | £285,000 | +383% | Modest recovery from 2023 peak |
House Price to Earnings Ratio by Region
The house price to earnings ratio compares the average house price to average gross annual earnings. A ratio above 8x is generally considered severely unaffordable.
| Region | Avg House Price | Avg Earnings | Price-to-Earnings Ratio |
|---|
| London | £510,000 | £41,000 | 12.4x |
| South East | £380,000 | £36,000 | 10.6x |
| East of England | £330,000 | £34,000 | 9.7x |
| South West | £310,000 | £31,000 | 10.0x |
| West Midlands | £245,000 | £31,000 | 7.9x |
| East Midlands | £235,000 | £30,500 | 7.7x |
| Yorkshire | £210,000 | £30,000 | 7.0x |
| North West | £220,000 | £30,500 | 7.2x |
| North East | £162,000 | £28,500 | 5.7x |
| Scotland | £195,000 | £30,000 | 6.5x |
| Wales | £210,000 | £29,500 | 7.1x |
| Northern Ireland | £185,000 | £28,500 | 6.5x |
First-Time Buyer Affordability by Region
Based on a 10% deposit and 4.5x income mortgage. Average UK first-time buyer household income assumed at £45,000-£55,000 depending on region.
| Region | Avg Price | 10% Deposit | Mortgage Needed | Income Required (4.5x) |
|---|
| London | £510,000 | £51,000 | £459,000 | £102,000 |
| South East | £380,000 | £38,000 | £342,000 | £76,000 |
| South West | £310,000 | £31,000 | £279,000 | £62,000 |
| East of England | £330,000 | £33,000 | £297,000 | £66,000 |
| West Midlands | £245,000 | £24,500 | £220,500 | £49,000 |
| North West | £220,000 | £22,000 | £198,000 | £44,000 |
| Yorkshire | £210,000 | £21,000 | £189,000 | £42,000 |
| North East | £162,000 | £16,200 | £145,800 | £32,400 |
| Scotland | £195,000 | £19,500 | £175,500 | £39,000 |
| Wales | £210,000 | £21,000 | £189,000 | £42,000 |
| Northern Ireland | £185,000 | £18,500 | £166,500 | £37,000 |
What Drives UK House Prices?
UK house prices are influenced by a complex mix of economic and policy factors. Understanding these drivers helps buyers and sellers make informed decisions.
Key Supply Factors
- Chronic undersupply — the UK builds around 200,000-220,000 homes per year against a need of 300,000+
- Planning restrictions and green belt constraints limit new development
- High construction costs and labour shortages slow house building
- Low housing stock turnover as existing owners hold properties longer
Key Demand Factors
- Population growth and net migration add to housing demand
- Mortgage rates: lower rates in 2024-2026 have supported buyer activity
- Government schemes: Help to Buy, Shared Ownership boosted demand
- Investor demand, particularly in London and university cities
- Cultural preference for homeownership vs renting
2026 Outlook
With the Bank of England base rate declining from its 2023 peak of 5.25% and inflation stabilising, the 2026 outlook suggests modest house price growth of 2-3% nationally. Affordability constraints remain the principal limiting factor, particularly for first-time buyers in London and the South East.
Data Sources and Methodology
The house price figures on this page draw from the following authoritative UK sources:
- Land Registry / UK House Price Index (HPI) — Official government transaction data, published monthly
- ONS House Price Index — Office for National Statistics monthly release
- Rightmove House Price Index — Asking price data from the UK's largest property portal
- Zoopla UK House Price Index — Estimated values and transaction data
- Halifax House Price Index — Monthly mortgage approval data from Lloyds Banking Group
- Nationwide House Price Index — Mortgage-based price index published monthly
Note: All regional and property type figures are estimates based on the latest available data and may differ from official published figures. House prices are not guaranteed to rise and past performance is not a guide to future performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average UK house price in 2026?
The average UK house price in January 2026 is estimated at £285,000, based on Land Registry and ONS House Price Index data. England averages £305,000 with London at £510,000. Prices vary significantly by region and property type.
Which UK region has the most expensive house prices?
London has the highest average house prices in the UK at approximately £510,000 in 2026, followed by the South East at £380,000 and the East of England at £330,000. These regions command a significant premium driven by economic activity, job concentration and population density.
Which UK region has the cheapest house prices?
The North East of England has the lowest average house prices in the UK at approximately £162,000 in 2026. Northern Ireland (£185,000) and Scotland (£195,000) are also among the most affordable. These regions offer substantially better value relative to earnings.
How much have UK house prices risen since 1990?
UK average house prices have risen from approximately £59,000 in 1990 to £285,000 in 2026 — an increase of around 383% over 36 years. Even adjusted for inflation (CPI), real house prices have more than doubled, meaning property has significantly outpaced general price growth.
What is the house price to earnings ratio in the UK?
The UK house price to earnings ratio is approximately 8-9x average gross annual earnings nationally in 2026. In London it exceeds 12x, making it one of the least affordable major cities globally. The North East at 5.7x remains the most accessible region relative to local incomes.
How much deposit do first-time buyers need in the UK?
A typical 10% deposit on the UK average house price of £285,000 is £28,500. A 5% deposit (minimum for most lenders) would be £14,250. In London with an average of £510,000, a 10% deposit is £51,000. Government schemes such as the Mortgage Guarantee Scheme can help buyers with smaller deposits.
Are UK house prices expected to rise or fall in 2026?
Most forecasters expect modest UK house price growth of 2-3% in 2025/26. Falling mortgage rates from 2024 peaks have supported buyer confidence. However, affordability constraints, tight lending criteria and economic uncertainty continue to limit the pace of price growth. London and the South East may underperform compared to Northern regions.