Two parts of Greater Manchester have been named amongst the top 10 UK towns and cities with the biggest house price growth this year.
Out of all areas in the country, property prices in Stoke-on-Trent surged by 17.2 from 2023 to 2024, emerging as the best performing area for house price growth in the UK housing market, according to the latest data from Halifax.
Following closely behind, Slough saw a rise of 14.9 percent in house prices. Research from Halifax earlier this year found that over seven in 10 (73 percent) of house purchases in Slough were made by first-time buyers.
Both Bolton and Oldham were featured on the list, with the cost of the average house increasing by 12.9 percent in Bolton, and house prices rising by 14.6 percent in Oldham.
Amanda Bryden, Head of Mortgages at Halifax, said: “Some areas of the UK – including Stoke-on-Trent, Wolverhampton and Dunfermline – have seen remarkable house price growth this year, as buyers perhaps seek out more affordable areas where house prices, despite increases, are still coming in under the national average.
“This trend is causing house prices in some areas to flip from slowing, to growing, such as Stoke-on-Trent, which was the biggest faller last year but showed the highest rate of growth, regionally, this year.
“That story doesn’t play out nationally. The high asking price for London properties means house prices have fallen in several boroughs – perhaps a reflection that the relatively high cost of properties is stretching affordability for buyers, or perhaps what they are willing to pay.
“Overall, London has a house price to earnings ratio of 8.22, making it one of the least affordable places to live in the country, against a national ratio of 6.55.”
House prices are on the rise in these 10 areas
(Image: Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)
Amanda continued: “Regionally, while the South East has seen some robust growth – in places like Basingstoke and Maidstone, overall, it is lagging behind the rest of the UK, with movement of just +1.8%, compared to +6.3% for the UK overall. Much like London, first-time buyers won’t find a bargain here, as the slow growth is likely a consequence of the already-high property prices, relative to the national average.
“When you’re buying a home there’s so much to consider – it can become overwhelming, with the cost of a property just one of many things to think about. My advice would be to make yourself a list of everything that’s important to you, decide which are the deal-breakers and which you’re willing to compromise on, then get stuck in with viewing houses and visiting areas to get a feel for each place.
“Be open to everything that’s affordable and suits your personal circumstances – you never know where you might find a hidden gem that’s just right for you.”
Here are the top ten UK towns and cities with the greatest house price growth from 2023 to 2024:
The ten towns and cities with the smallest house price growth are led by Huddersfield, which saw a decline of -6.6 percent over the 12 months to September of this year, equivalent to a fall of £18,514.
This should be seen in some important context – as Huddersfield came top of the table last year, with an average growth in house price of +8.7 percent meaning, over the two years, house prices in the area have risen overall.
Several London boroughs also experienced some of the lowest house price growth over the period, including Ealing, Southwark and Harrow.
Top ten UK towns and cities with lowest house price growth 2023 to 2024:
| Towns/cities | Region | Average Price 2023 | Average Price 2024 | £ Growth in Price | % Growth in Price |
| Huddersfield | Yorkshire and The Humber | £279,012 | £260,498 | -£18,514 | -6.60% |
| Wirral | North West | £311,003 | £294,250 | -£16,753 | -5.40% |
| Ealing | London | £588,383 | £559,788 | -£28,596 | -4.90% |
| Southwark | London | £583,203 | £555,325 | -£27,878 | -4.80% |
| Kingston Upon Thames | London | £607,522 | £582,282 | -£25,240 | -4.20% |
| Enfield | London | £527,807 | £506,667 | -£21,140 | -4.00% |
| Harrow | London | £572,921 | £552,203 | -£20,718 | -3.60% |
| Westminster | London | £757,083 | £730,859 | -£26,224 | -3.50% |
| Bromley | London | £558,980 | £541,131 | -£17,848 | -3.20% |
| Aylesbury | South East | £435,416 | £423,252 | -£12,164 | -2.80% |