Britain’s 20 most affordable places to buy a home

Scotland is home to the most affordable properties in Britain, with average prices making it an ideal location for first-time buyers and families alike. A recent analysis of average prices in relation to salaries reveals that Scotland boasts 16 out of the top 20 spots in the UK for finding a forever home.

The SNP government in Scotland has argued that the country needs more people to fill job vacancies across various sectors, and the abundance of relatively inexpensive properties, many situated in scenic coastal locations, is a major attraction.

Angus is highlighted as 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 region.

Zoopla reports that this east coast area, encompassing Montrose, Carnoustie and Arbroath, currently has a two-bedroom semi-detached house on the market for as little as £120,000, while a six-bedroom detached property is listed for £350,000. The only regions outside Scotland to make it into the top 20 most affordable places to buy are Sunderland, Burnley, North East Lincolnshire, Yorkshire and the Humber, and Blackpool.

Property experts at Hopkins Homes assessed 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. The affordability of each area was calculated by combining various factors and adjusting for economic conditions, providing a comprehensive analysis of the UK’s housing market.

The 20 most affordable places to buy a home in Britain.

1. Angus, Scotland – Final Score: 85.

Angus tops the list as the most affordable place to buy a house in the UK, with an average house price of £164,076 and a house price-to-earnings ratio of 2.31. The final score of 85 reflects the stability of its housing market.

2. West Dunbartonshire, Scotland – Final Score: 84.1.

West Dunbartonshire comes second, with an average house price of £136,668 and a house price-to-earnings ratio of 2.01. The area has seen a price rise of 5.34 percent since 2020.

3. Aberdeenshire, Scotland – Final Score: 83.2.

Aberdeenshire ranks third, with an average house price of £200,276 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.85. The area has experienced a smaller price increase of 3.67 percent since 2020.

4. North Ayrshire, Scotland – Final Score: 82.9.

North Ayrshire is fourth on the list, with an average house price of £130,943 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.76. The area has seen a price increase of 6.54 percent since 2020.

5. North Lanarkshire, Scotland – Final Score: 82.5.

North Lanarkshire, with an average house price of £138,557 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.89, has seen a price rise of 7.03 percent since 2020, ranking it 5th in affordability. Inverclyde, Scotland, scored a final score of 82.3. The area, with an average house price of £125,836 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.9, has experienced a 7.14 percent price increase since 2020, placing it sixth.

East Ayrshire, Scotland, with a final score of 81.5, has an average house price of £128,549 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.88. The area has seen a 7.48 percent increase in house prices since 2020, ranking it seventh. South Lanarkshire, Scotland, with a final score of 81.3, has an average house price of £166,162 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.21. It ranks eighth in terms of affordability.

Renfrewshire, Scotland, scored a final score of 80.9. With an average house price of £156,917 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.34, the area has seen a 7.06 percent price rise since 2020, placing it ninth. Falkirk, Scotland, also scored a final score of 80.9. The area, with an average house price of £168,536 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.22, has experienced a 7.14 percent price increase since 2020, ranking it tenth.

South Ayrshire, Scotland, with a final score of 80.7, is ranked eleventh. South Ayrshire, with an average house price of £175,071 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.27, has seen a 6.73 percent increase in house prices since 2020, ranking it 11th.

Sunderland, located in North East England, ranks 12th with a final score of 80.6. The area boasts an average house price of £135,666 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.19, having experienced a 6.17 percent increase in house prices since 2020.

In Scotland, Clackmannanshire ranks 13th with a final score of 79.9. The area has an average house price of £167,646 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.55, with a 7.48 percent price increase since 2020. Fife, also in Scotland, ranks 14th with a final score of 79.7. The area has an average house price of £169,568 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.62, experiencing a 7.66 percent increase in house prices since 2020.

Highland, another Scottish region, ranks 15th with a final score of 79.3. The area has an average house price of £207,903 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 3.01, seeing a 6.46 percent price increase since 2020.

Burnley, located in Lancashire, North West England, ranks 16th with a final score of 79.2. The area has an average house price of £100,820 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 1.87, having experienced a 7.13 percent increase in house prices since 2020. Finally, the Shetland Islands in Scotland have a final score of 79.2.

The Shetland Islands, with an average house price of £220,740 and a house price-to-earnings ratio of 2.47, have seen a 7.31 percent price increase since 2020, ranking them 17th. North East Lincolnshire in Yorkshire and The Humber, with an average house price of £152,694 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.26, has experienced a 6.03 percent increase in house prices since 2020, placing it 18th.

The Scottish Borders in Scotland, with an average house price of £201,430 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.97, have seen a 7.49 percent price increase since 2020, ranking them 19th. Blackpool in North West England, with an average house price of £132,545 and a price-to-earnings ratio of 2.13, has seen a 6.9 percent increase in house prices since 2020, placing it 20th.