Only 12% of homes for sale in Great Britain are priced below £150,000 according to new analysis from Zoopla, underlining the growing scarcity of low-cost housing and the stark regional divide in affordability.
The North East and Scotland stand out as the most accessible regions for budget-conscious buyers.
In the North East, 41% of homes on the market fall under the £150,000 threshold, while in Scotland the figure is 30%.
At the other end of the scale, only 2% of London listings and 7% in the South East are available at this level.
MAJOR LOCATIONS
Sunderland emerges as the most affordable major location, with nearly half of its homes listed for less than £150,000.
In Scotland, Aberdeen leads with 49% of properties priced below the threshold. Other regional hotspots include Blackpool, where 39% of listings fall into this category, and Darlington at 38%.
Even within the South, pockets of relative affordability exist: Croydon, for example, has 7% of listings under £150,000, offering a rare entry point into the capital’s market.
PROPERTY DIVIDE
The analysis also highlights a sharp divide in property type. In the North East and Wales, more than 60% of homes priced below £150,000 are two or three-bedroom houses, making family living more accessible.
Swansea, for instance, has over a third of its affordable listings in the form of three-bedroom houses.
By contrast, in London 64% of homes priced below £150,000 are one-bedroom flats, with about half available through shared ownership.
Flats also dominate the sub-£150,000 market in the South East and East of England, where they account for more than 70% of listings.
The findings illustrate how location not only determines price but also the size and type of property buyers can expect, with family houses still within reach in parts of the North and Wales but scarcity and smaller flats defining the South’s entry-level market.
CLEAR HOTSPOTS
Daniel Copley, Consumer Expert at Zoopla, says: “The North East and Scotland are clear hotspots for budget-conscious buyers, with a significant proportion of homes for sale priced under £150,000.
“In these areas, affordability doesn’t just mean a low price tag; it also means more choice. We’re seeing a high concentration of two and three-bedroom houses, providing real options for families and those seeking more space.”
LONDON CALLING
And he adds: “However, the story is very different in London and the South East. Here, homes under £150,000 are a rare find, and when they do appear, they are almost exclusively flats, often available through shared ownership.”
“This highlights the major challenge for first-time buyers and those on a tighter budget in the South.
“While an area like Croydon can offer a good entry point into the London market, it underscores how regional wealth disparities are reshaping the property landscape, pushing buyers to look further north for true affordability and a wider range of property types.”
