Zoopla expert predicts house prices will fall by 22% by 2026
Scotland offers Britain’s most affordable homes with average prices making it the best place both for first time buyers and families.
A new analysis of average prices in relation to salaries shows that Scotland offers 16 of the best 20 places in the UK to find a forever home.
Scotland’s SNP government has argued the nation needs more people to fill vacancies across the economy and the plentiful availability of relatively cheap properties, many in picturesque coastal locations, is a key selling point.
Angus is identified the most affordable area in the UK, with an average house price of £164,076, which is 2.31 times the average earnings in the area.
According to Zoopla, the area, which is on the east coast and includes Montrose, Carnoustie and Arbroath, currently offers a smart two bed semi for as little at £120,000, while a six bed detached is on the market for £350,000.
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The only areas outside Scotland to feature among the top 20 most affordable places to buy are Sunderland, Burnley, North East Lincolnshire together with Yorkshire and the Humber, and Blackpool.
Property experts Hopkins Homes evaluated affordability across 325 areas in England, Scotland, and Wales using data on average house prices, percentage changes since 2020, house price-to-couples earnings ratios, and average council tax.
Combining these factors, they calculated an affordability score for each area, adjusting for economic conditions. It argues this comprehensive analysis provides a clear picture of the housing market in the UK.
Britain’s 20 most affordable areas to buy a home
1. Angus, Scotland – Final Score: 85
Angus ranks as the most affordable place in the UK to buy a house, with an average house price of £164,076 and a house price-to-earnings ratio of 2.31. The area’s final score of 85 reflects its stable housing market.
2. West Dunbartonshire, Scotland – Final Score: 84.1
West Dunbartonshire has an average house price of £136,668 and a house price-to-earnings ratio of 2.01. The area has experienced a price rise of 5.34 percent since 2020 and is ranked 2nd in affordability.
Scotland offers 16 of the best 20 places in the UK to find a forever home (Image: Getty)
3. Aberdeenshire, Scotland – Final Score: 83.2
Aberdeenshire has an average house price of £200,276 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.85. This area has seen a smaller price increase of 3.67 percent since 2020 and is ranked third.
4. North Ayrshire, Scotland – Final Score: 82.9
North Ayrshire has an average house price of £130,943 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.76. The area has witnessed a price increase of 6.54 percent since 2020 and is ranked fourth.
5. North Lanarkshire, Scotland – Final Score: 82.5
North Lanarkshire has an average house price of £138,557 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.89. The area has experienced a price rise of 7.03 percent since 2020 and is ranked 5th in affordability.
6. Inverclyde, Scotland – Final Score: 82.3
Inverclyde has an average house price of £125,836 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.9. The area has seen a 7.14 percent price increase since 2020 and is ranked sixth.
7. East Ayrshire, Scotland – Final Score: 81.5
East Ayrshire has an average house price of £128,549 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.88. The area has experienced a 7.48 percent increase in house prices since 2020 and is ranked seventh.
8. South Lanarkshire, Scotland – Final Score: 81.3
South Lanarkshire has an average house price of £166,162 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.21. The area has a final score of 81.3 and is ranked eighth in affordability.
9. Renfrewshire, Scotland – Final Score: 80.9
Renfrewshire has an average house price of £156,917 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.34. The area has experienced a 7.06 percent price rise since 2020 and is ranked ninth.
10. Falkirk, Scotland – Final Score: 80.9
Falkirk has an average house price of £168,536 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.22. The area has seen a 7.14 percent price increase since 2020 and is ranked tenth.
11. South Ayrshire, Scotland – Final Score: 80.7
South Ayrshire has an average house price of £175,071 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.27. The area has seen a 6.73 percent increase in house prices since 2020 and is ranked 11th.
12. Sunderland, North East England – Final Score: 80.6
Sunderland has an average house price of £135,666 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.19. The area has experienced a 6.17 percent increase in house prices since 2020 and is ranked 12th.
13. Clackmannanshire, Scotland – Final Score: 79.9
Clackmannanshire has an average house price of £167,646 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.55. The area has seen a 7.48 percent price increase since 2020 and is ranked 13th.
14. Fife, Scotland – Final Score: 79.7
Fife has an average house price of £169,568 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.62. The area has experienced a 7.66 percent increase in house prices since 2020 and is ranked 14th.
Angus is identified the most affordable area in the UK (Image: Getty)
15. Highland, Scotland – Final Score: 79.3
Highland has an average house price of £207,903 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.01. The area has seen a 6.46 percent price increase since 2020 and is ranked 15th.
16. Burnley, Lancashire, North West England – Final Score: 79.2
Burnley has an average house price of £100,820 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.87. The area has experienced a 7.13 percent increase in house prices since 2020 and is ranked 16th.
17. Shetland Islands, Scotland – Final Score: 79.2
The Shetland Islands have an average house price of £220,740 and a house price-to-earnings ratio of 2.47. The area has seen a 7.31 percent price increase since 2020 and is ranked 17th.
18. North East Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and The Humber – Final Score: 78.8
North East Lincolnshire has an average house price of £152,694 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.26. The area has seen a 6.03 percent increase in house prices since 2020 and is ranked 18th.
19. Scottish Borders, Scotland – Final Score: 78.6
The Scottish Borders have an average house price of £201,430 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.97. The area has seen a 7.49 percent price increase since 2020 and is ranked 19th.
20. Blackpool, North West England – Final Score: 78.5
Blackpool has an average house price of £132,545 and a price-to-earnings ratio 2.13. The area has seen a 6.9 percent increase in house prices since 2020 and is ranked 20th.
