UK House Prices by Region 2026: Land Registry Data and Trends

DATA | HOUSE PRICES | LAND REGISTRY SOURCE

Average house prices by UK region (April 2026)

Regional house prices vary enormously across the UK. London remains the most expensive region at an average of £542,000, while the North East of England is the most affordable English region at £162,000 -- a ratio of more than three to one. Scotland (£187,000), Northern Ireland (£198,000) and Wales (£213,000) all fall below the UK average of £270,080.

The April 2026 annual rate of 3.8% should be interpreted with caution. A technical base effect is distorting the figure -- average house prices fell sharply in April 2025 (down 2.9% month-on-month) when the Stamp Duty Land Tax relief ended on 31 March 2025. This created a lower comparison point that artificially inflates the year-on-year rate for April 2026. Underlying house price growth is more modest.

Average house prices by UK region and nation -- April 2026

Source: UK House Price Index (HM Land Registry / ONS), published June 2026. Annual change April 2025 to April 2026. OGL v3.0.

* Northern Ireland figures are for Q1 2026 (January to March), not April 2026, as NI data is published quarterly.

Why are house prices falling in London and rising in the North East?

The regional divergence in house prices reflects a combination of affordability dynamics and supply-demand imbalances. In London, prices are constrained by affordability -- with the average house price at £542,000 and mortgage rates at approximately 4.8% for a two-year fix, the income required to purchase an average London property at a 4.5x income multiple is over £120,000. The pool of buyers who can afford to purchase is limited, and with 13% more homes for sale in London than a year ago, buyers have more choice which reduces pressure on prices.

In the North East, the dynamics are the opposite. At an average of £162,000, properties are affordable relative to local incomes. There is strong underlying demand from first-time buyers who are being priced out of other regions, while the supply of homes for sale has not increased to match demand. In April 2026, North East home sales were up 6% year-on-year despite buyer demand being 20% lower, indicating that available supply is being absorbed quickly.

The North-South divide in house prices has been a structural feature of the UK property market for decades. Despite government ambitions to 'level up' regional economies, house price growth patterns continue to reflect underlying economic geography -- concentration of high-income jobs in London and the South East creating persistent price premiums.

What is the average UK house price in 2026?

The average UK house price was £270,080 in April 2026, according to the UK House Price Index published by HM Land Registry and the ONS in June 2026. This represents a 3.8% increase year-on-year, though this figure is distorted by a base effect caused by the Stamp Duty Land Tax changes in April 2025. On a seasonally adjusted monthly basis, house prices increased by 0.6% between March and April 2026.

Which UK region has the highest and lowest house prices?

London has the highest average house prices at approximately £542,000 in April 2026. The North East of England has the lowest average prices among English regions at approximately £162,000. Across all UK nations, Scotland (£187,000) and Northern Ireland (£198,000) are also below the UK average of £270,080.

How does the UK HPI differ from Halifax or Nationwide indices?

The UK HPI (UK House Price Index) uses actual completed sale prices from HM Land Registry, covering all cash and mortgage transactions. It is the most comprehensive index but is published with a two-month lag. The Halifax and Nationwide indices are based on mortgage approvals -- which happen before completion -- and are published monthly with less lag. Asking price indices from Rightmove and Zoopla track what sellers are asking, which may differ from what they accept. For the most accurate completed sale data, the UK HPI is the definitive source.

What is Stamp Duty Land Tax and how does it affect house prices?

Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT) is a tax paid by buyers of property in England and Northern Ireland (Scotland has Land and Buildings Transaction Tax, Wales has Land Transaction Tax). Changes to SDLT reliefs can significantly distort house price data -- when reliefs are removed or reduced, buyers rush to complete before the deadline, spiking transaction volumes and prices temporarily, followed by a sharp fall. The April 2025 SDLT changes caused a large fall in average house prices in April 2025 (-2.9% monthly), creating the base effect that inflates the April 2026 annual rate. The UK HPI does not adjust for these distortions.