'Great coastline, beautiful towns': North East house prices rise faster than any other region in England
House prices in the North East are rising faster than any other region in England, with the area becoming one of the most promising for property purchases in 2026, an industry figure said.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) have shown that house prices in the region are outpacing national growth: The average cost of a home in the North East is now £163,153, marking a 5 per cent increase on the year before and a 1.3 per cent monthly increase to October.
In comparison, the average cost of a home in England is £291,515, which is a monthly dip of 0.1 per cent and an annual change of 1.4 per cent.
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Matt Gerrish, a property expert from real estate agents Sold.co.uk, commented on the potential for the North East, saying: “While the property market in England has remained stagnant for much of 2025, this wasn’t the case in the North East.
“Demand is still high and properties are increasing in value much faster than in the other regions. Of course, this news is all relative. If you are already on the property market and are looking to downsize, move location or release capital then it’s good news when house prices go up. It also tends to mean a strong demand, which can mean houses sell faster.
“If you’re a first time buyer, higher house prices can make it significantly more difficult to take that first step on the ladder.”
Market conditions in the North East compare against the backdrop of modest UK-wide house price growth, where annual increases have been weaker in many southern parts of the country. In London, for example, property prices fell by 2.4 per cent in the 12 months to October 2025. The cost of the average home in the capital now stands at £547,468.
In the North East, prices are rising fastest in Hartlepool, where the cost of the average house now stands at £135,000, a 9 per cent rise on the year before. In Sunderland house prices rose 7 per cent in the 12 months to October, with the cost of the average house now £143,000.
In Darlington, prices have risen 6.6 per cent, and the cost of the average home now stands at £158,000. Homes in Northumberland also increased in value, with the average home now costing £209,000.
Gerrish continued: “The North East is quietly becoming very attractive for many buyers outside of the region. There’s great coastline, beautiful towns and cities and the North East Main Line means you can travel from Newcastle to London in three hours.
“Average house prices in the region remain well below the UK average, meaning buyers can enter the market with more purchasing power and get much better value for their money than in other, more expensive regions.”