The 15 most expensive UK cities outside London to buy a house

London is the most expensive place in the UK to buy a property – no surprises there – with Zoopla putting the average house price in the city at more than £530,000.

Outside the capital, prices remain highest in southeast England, with the university cities of Oxford and Cambridge topping the price index. Meanwhile, Glasgow and Newcastle score highly for affordable options, at £153,000 and £157,600 respectively, according to Zoopla's most recent housing price index.

But things may slowly be changing, as there is a marked "north-south divide" in house price inflation. In the year to March 2025, house price inflation was "still sitting at less than 1% across southern regions of England where affordability pressures are greatest".

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Further north, property prices are going up by 2.2%–3% "across the West Midlands, the Northern regions, Wales and Scotland". And in Northern Ireland, "prices are 6% higher".

The average house price across the country was up by a "smaller-than-usual" 0.6% in May, said Rightmove, reaching a "new record" of £379,517. Part of the reason for the lower relative increase was a "decade-high number of homes for sale", which "limits price growth".

The 15 most expensive UK cities for property outside London are:

1. Cambridge: £468,300

The skyline of the historic city is dominated by tightly packed college buildings, with cultural attractions such as world-class art collections. For green space there are the Backs, the colleges' riverside gardens, parks, the Botanic Garden and countryside all around the city.

2. Oxford: £450,100

The home, of course, of the University of Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world. The city is packed with quadrangles, gothic spires and listed buildings, plus parks and the possibility of punting on the river. Its green belt protects rural surroundings – and limits housing availability. The Chilterns and Cotswolds are on the doorstep.

3. Bristol: £340,100

Built around the River Avon, spanned by the Clifton Suspension Bridge, the city-centre docks have been redeveloped as cultural and heritage centres. With the M4 and M5 nearby, it also has an international airport, and is within easy reach of the North Somerset coast.

4. Bournemouth: £326,300

Dorset's largest conurbation has seven miles of award-winning beaches offering diverse watersports, one of southern England's largest entertainment venues and an international airport. To the west is Poole Harbour, Europe's largest natural harbour, with the New Forest to the east.

5. Portsmouth: £278,000

A waterfront city, centred around a port and naval base, Portsmouth is home to beaches, cultural and artistic hotspots, and stacks of green space. It's known for its maritime heritage and and houses Portsmouth's Historic Dockyard, with ships including the Mary Rose, and a cruise terminal and international ferry port nearby.

6. Edinburgh: £276,400

Scotland's capital, perched on an extinct volcano, is renowned for its medieval Old Town, and Georgian New Town, and many historic sites including Edinburgh Castle. As befits a Unesco World Heritage Site and City of Literature, it's home to no fewer than 10 major international festivals.

7. Sheffield: £260,011

Known as 'the Steel City' due to its long association with steel production, Sheffield is in fact one of the greenest metropolitan areas in Europe, ranked second after Oslo in 2024. If that wasn't enough, inhabitants may also avail themselves of Britain's oldest national park in the Peak District. For those who prefer to remain in the city centre, luxury department stores and a rich football heritage provides plenty of recreation.

8. Southampton: £258,400

This southern coast port city in Hampshire is home to the longest surviving stretch of medieval walls in England, and the largest theatre in the south of England. Its excellent transport links include road, rail and an international airport, plus ferries and a major cruise terminal. Close to countryside, there's easy access to the coast and the New Forest.

9. Cardiff: £254,000

The Welsh capital is compact, with national museums, a spectacular castle and a 76,000-seat sports stadium in the heart of the city. Transport-wise, there are convenient motorways, rail links and an international airport. Nearby is the scenic Glamorgan Heritage Coast.

10. Manchester: £229,300

Home to world-famous football, renowned art galleries and a music scene, Manchester was once the world's manufacturing powerhouse. Its former industrial buildings now house shops, restaurants and accommodation. Its airport is the busiest outside London, and trains, buses and trams serve the city.

11. Leicester: £228,300

In the heart of England, built on the Grand Union Canal and surrounded by beautiful market towns, is one of the oldest cities in the country and the place where King Richard III was killed in battle. Home to one of Europe's largest covered markets, it has a multicultural buzz and is close to the M1, with Birmingham and East Midlands airports a short drive away.

12. Leeds: £213,000

The unofficial capital of Yorkshire has vibrant cultural and sporting communities, world-class theatre and an expanding retail sector. The city has a big student population, stimulating the growth of its nightlife. It's well-connected to the rest of the country, served by extensive road, bus and rail networks.

13. Birmingham: £212,100

The second largest city in the UK, Birmingham is regarded as the social, cultural and commercial centre of the Midlands. It is home to a number of major arts institutions – the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Birmingham Royal Ballet, Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Library of Birmingham and The Barber Institute of Fine Arts. The city is a major transport hub, served by the M5, M6, M40 and M42 motorways.

14. Nottingham: £205,000

The old stomping ground of Robin Hood abounds with history and culture. Once residents have tired themselves out in the city's mediaeval castle and the Lace Market, the city's historic industrial centre, they can repair to England's oldest inn for refreshment. For the less historically inclined, the city is well equipped with modern amenities, including a successful tram service.

15. Belfast: £185,100

Property prices in Northern Ireland are "going through somewhat of a boom", said This is Money, with the homes in the capital growing by an average of 6.9% last year, the most in the UK. The city, one of only three Unesco Music Cities, sits on the banks of the River Lagank and houses the Titanic Belfast museum and St. George's Market. A new bus service makes the scenic Causeway Coast easily accessible.

15. Sheffield: £174,900

The city has more trees per person than any other in England, over 60% green space and more than a third sits within the Peak District National Park. The city centre has a major retail scene, featuring several department stores and luxury boutiques.