Yorkshire house prices outpace UK average as market eyes strong 2026
Yorkshire’s housing market has outperformed much of the country over the past year and is well placed for a stronger-than-usual start to 2026, according to new figures.
Despite uncertainty around the Budget slowing sales activity towards the end of the year, the latest House Price Index from Zoopla reports that Yorkshire has recorded house price growth of two per cent, significantly above the UK average of 1.1 per cent. Growth has been driven by more affordable parts of the region, where lower buying costs continue to attract demand.
Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, said: “It’s been a strong year for the housing market in Yorkshire with house price growth standing at two per cent, significantly above the UK average. This is being driven by areas of the region where affordability is better and buying costs are lower, such as Calderdale (3.6 per cent), Wakefield (3.1 per cent), Craven (2.6 per cent) and Bradford (2.6 per cent).”
Nationally, the market is expected to deliver its strongest year for sales in three years, with nine per cent more home moves over 2025. Zoopla forecasts that pent-up demand, delayed by Budget speculation, will support a rebound in activity early in 2026, with total sales expected to reach 1.18 million.
The data highlights a widening north–south divide in price growth. While prices are rising across northern England, the Midlands, Scotland and Northern Ireland, values are falling across much of southern England, including London, where house prices are down 0.6 per cent amid higher costs and stamp duty.
First-time buyers are playing a central role in sustaining activity. Improved mortgage availability means their numbers are on track to rise by 20 per cent in 2025, accounting for almost two in five purchases. In Yorkshire and the Humber, first-time buyers are now looking to spend 3.6 per cent more than a year ago, reflecting improved affordability compared with southern regions.
Zoopla expects average UK house prices to increase by 1.5 per cent over 2026, with above-average growth of more than 2.5 per cent across northern England. Donnell said sellers would need to remain realistic on pricing, but added that buyer appetite remained strong as uncertainty begins to ease.