UK first‑time buyer house prices surge north, ease south

Rightmove's analysis of new listings (excluding London) shows the average asking price for a typical first‑time buyer home in Britain is £228,048, down 0.7% year‑on‑year. In the north‑south divide, price growth is strongest in lower‑cost areas: Bridlington (Yorkshire) and St Helens (Merseyside) saw 18% annual increases, Falkirk in Scotland rose 17%, and Hartlepool rose 12%. The cheapest market is Middlesbrough at £90,929, while the most expensive is St Albans at £401,352.

Higher‑priced southern markets such as Brighton and Southampton are seeing price easing. Industry leaders say affordability continues to drive demand in northern towns, although buyers face higher mortgage costs and broader economic uncertainty.