House Price Calculator

Projected value in years:
Total Gain
% Increase
Avg Annual Gain

Estimate what your parents' house — or any UK property — would be worth today based on purchase price and year. Uses historical UK HPI growth rates.

Estimated 2026 value:
Total Gain
% Increase
Years Held

Maximum property price:
Max Mortgage
Your Deposit
Est. Monthly (5%, 25yr)

Note: Lenders also consider credit history, existing debts and monthly outgoings. This is an estimate only.

Estimate the equity you could release by downsizing to a smaller property.

Net equity released:
Gross Price Difference
After Mortgage Payoff
After Moving Costs

Stamp duty on purchase not included — use our Stamp Duty Calculator for a full breakdown.

UK House Price Historical Growth Data 1970-2026

DecadeStart PriceEnd PriceNominal GrowthReal Growth (CPI adj.)Notes
1970s£5,000£19,000+280%+25%High inflation decade
1980s£19,000£59,000+211%+90%Lawson boom and bust
1990s£59,000£84,000+42%+15%Recession, negative equity
2000s£84,000£167,000+99%+65%Credit boom, financial crisis
2010s£167,000£247,000+48%+28%Help to Buy, London surge
2020-2026£247,000£285,000+15%-5% (real)Pandemic boom, rate rises, correction

Regional House Price Growth Rates

RegionLong-term Annual Growth2023-2026 TrendKey Driver
London8.2% nominalSlowing (2-3%)International demand, jobs
South East7.5% nominal2-3%London overspill, commuter demand
North West6.2% nominal4-5%Manchester regeneration
Yorkshire5.8% nominal4-5%Leeds growth, affordability
Scotland6.5% nominal4-5%Edinburgh demand, limited supply
North East5.2% nominal3-4%Affordability, investment
South West6.8% nominal3-4%Lifestyle migration, remote work

Property vs Stock Market: UK Historical Comparison

How does UK residential property compare as an investment versus equities over the long term?

Asset Class30-Year Return (Nominal)Annual AvgLeverage AvailableTax on Main Home
UK Residential Property~400-600%6-7%Yes (mortgage)No CGT on primary home
FTSE 100 (Total Return)~500-700%7-8%Limited (CFDs)CGT above annual allowance
S&P 500 (Total Return, USD)~800-1200%9-10%LimitedCGT + currency risk for UK investors
UK Cash / Savings~80-120%2-3%NoIncome tax on interest

Note: Property returns shown exclude costs (stamp duty, maintenance, agents, mortgage interest). Including mortgage leverage (e.g. 25% deposit) amplifies property returns significantly. Past performance is not a guide to future returns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average annual UK house price growth rate?
UK house prices have grown at an average of approximately 7.5% per year in nominal terms since 1970. However, after adjusting for inflation (CPI), real growth is closer to 3-4% per year. Our calculator defaults to 3.5% as a conservative long-term real growth estimate. You can adjust this for your specific region and outlook.
How much would a house bought in 1990 be worth now?
A house bought for £59,000 (the UK average) in 1990 would be worth approximately £285,000 in 2026 — a gain of 383%. However, results vary hugely by location. A typical London property bought for £90,000 in 1990 might now be worth £500,000-£700,000, while a North East property bought for £45,000 might now be worth £160,000-£180,000.
How much can I borrow for a mortgage in 2026?
Most UK lenders will lend up to 4.5x your gross annual income, though some specialist lenders offer up to 5-5.5x for higher earners or professionals. To qualify for a £200,000 mortgage at 4.5x income, you would need a gross income of approximately £44,444. Joint mortgages combine both applicants' incomes.
Is property a better investment than the stock market?
Both UK residential property and the FTSE 100 have delivered broadly similar long-term returns of 7-9% per year in nominal terms. Property benefits from leverage through mortgages and no capital gains tax on your main home. Stocks are more liquid and diversified. Many financial advisers recommend holding both through a balanced portfolio strategy.
How does downsizing release equity?
Downsizing releases equity by selling a higher-value property and buying a cheaper one. For example, selling a £450,000 home with a £50,000 mortgage leaves £400,000 in equity. Buying a £280,000 property costs £280,000 plus stamp duty and moving costs of approximately £15,000-20,000, leaving net equity of around £100,000-110,000 to invest or use as income.
Which UK regions have had the highest house price growth?
London has historically delivered the highest long-term house price growth at over 8% per year since 1970. However, in recent years northern regions including Yorkshire, the North West and Scotland have seen stronger growth in percentage terms as buyers seek affordability away from London and remote working expands location choices.
Does inflation affect real house price growth?
Yes. While nominal UK house prices have grown around 7.5% per year since 1970, after adjusting for inflation using CPI, real growth is closer to 3-4% per year. The high inflation period of 2022-2023 actually meant real house prices fell slightly even as nominal prices held up. Always consider inflation when evaluating property as a long-term investment.

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Mustafa Bilgic

Financial content specialist at UKCalculator.com. Updated February 2026 with ONS HPI data and Bank of England rate information.