US Edition
A stylish city centre apartment in a landmark building, a homely suburban family semi, a traditional terraced cottage. When it comes to the “typical” average-priced British home, well, there really isn’t any such thing.
The UK’s average house price currently stands at £303,557, down 0.4pc compared to last month, but still up 1.7pc year on year, according to the most recent UK House Price Index covering May 2023.
Of course, this overall figure takes in a lot of regional variations.
Somewhat unsurprisingly, London’s boroughs lead the way, price wise. They, too, vary wildly depending on the area, but to take middle-of-the-road Ealing as an example, at £527,000 the average home here will cost you far more than the UK average.
And that is more than three times the prices in Glasgow or Bradford, where the average property costs a little under £169,000.
The types of homes these average urban prices will actually buy you is equally varied across the country, as we discovered when we scoured the sales listings across Britain’s ten largest cities, set out here in order of population size:
London (Ealing)
Average property price: £527,622, up 2.4pc year on year.
Why not buy… A two bedroom flat in a grand Edwardian house less than half a mile from Elizabeth Line services from Ealing Broadway station, on sale for £530,000.
The 767 sq ft top floor flat comes with a private roof terrace. It is in good, slightly dated condition.
Agent: Kinleigh Folkard & Hayward (www.kfh.co.uk).
Birmingham
Average property price: £226,523, up 1.9pc year on year.
Why not buy… A three-bedroom family semi in the suburb of Quinton, some five miles west of the city centre.
The property comes with a really good sized back garden and a garage, but its interiors could do with some TLC.
It is priced at offers in the region of £230,000.
Agent: Scriven & Co (www.scriven.co.uk).
Leeds
Average property price: £237,818, up 4.4pc year on year.
Why not buy… A traditional two-bedroom stone terrace in Guiseley, nine miles north west of the city centre and close to the Yorkshire Dales.
The two up two down measures 797 sq ft and has a small courtyard garden. It is on sale for offers in the region of £240,000.
Agent: Hardisty & Co (www.hardistyandco.com).
Glasgow
Average property price: £168,415 up 1pc year on year.
Why not buy… A modern one-bedroom flat less than a mile south of the city centre. The stylish apartment is in excellent condition, a real turnkey proposition. It is listed for “offers over” £150,000, but its home report suggests that its true value is £165,000.
Agent: Slater Hogg (www.slaterhogg.co.uk).
Sheffield
Average property price: £209,308, up 4.5pc year on year.
Why not buy… A hip three-bedroom end of terrace in Hillsborough, three miles north west of the city centre, on sale for £210,000. The house has been well modernised but there is still potential to add value by extending into the loft, and its paved back garden could be upgraded too.
Agent: Reeds Rains (www.reedsrains.co.uk).
Bradford
Average property price: £168,497, up 1.3pc year on year.
Why not buy… A three-bedroom terrace in up and coming Greengates, less than four miles from the centre of the city. Trains from Apperley Bridge Station, which opened in 2015, means getting into town take less than quarter of an hour.
The house is in generally good condition, although it could do with some updating, and has a pleasant garden. It is listed for £169,950.
Agent: Dacre, Son & Hartley (www.dacres.co.uk).
Manchester
Average property price: £226,844, up 3pc year on year.
Why not buy… A one-bedroom flat in Century Buildings, an award winning conversion of a Grade II-listed Victorian building set beside the River Irwell and right on the edge of the city centre.
The open plan flat has a balcony, and parking, and is very smartly presented, while the building itself is a baroque style beauty, originally built as the headquarters of an insurance company. It is priced at £225,000.
Agent: Reeds Rains (www.reedsrains.co.uk).
Edinburgh
Average property price: £334,118, up 4.6pc year on year.
Why not buy… A three-bedroom flat in a converted school building, with iconic views over Holyrood Park and Salisbury Crags, listed for offers over £340,000.
The 925 sq ft property is in good but slightly dated condition. It is the peaceful Southside neighbourhood, and only half a mile’s walk to Edinburgh’s vibrant Old town.
Agent: Ativa Property (www.ativaproperty.co.uk).
Liverpool
Average property price: £173,049, down -0.6pc year on year.
Why not buy… A spacious three bedroom end of terrace house in Old Swan, which is seeing a ripple of buyers moving in from more expensive neighbouring areas like Sefton Park.
Old Swan is three miles east of the city centre and a seven minute commute from the station at Wavertree Technology Park. It is also adjacent to Liverpool’s Knowledge Quarter, with its cluster of universities, heightening demand.
The house is smart and well cared-for and has a sweet walled garden. It is on sale for £170,000.
Agent: Venmores (www.venmores.co.uk).
Bristol
Average property price: £345,574, up 0.9pc year on year.
Why not buy… A two-bedroom period share of freehold flat in St Andrews, with high ceilings and period features, on sale with a guide price of £330,000.
As prices in smart suburbs like Clifton and Redland have shot up buyers have started looking towards leafy St Andrews, which is still only a mile and a half from the city centre. It also has a park, plus a great range of bars and restaurants on nearby Cheltenham Road.
Agent: Savills (www.savills.co.uk).