Jasmine Birtles
Your money-making expert. Financial journalist, TV and radio personality.
Top 10 Places to Buy a House Under £150K in the UK (2025)
Vicky Parry
6th Aug 2025
Can You Still Buy a House for Under £150K in the UK? (August 2025)
If you’re wondering whether it’s still possible to buy a house in the UK for under £150,000 in 2025, the answer is: yes — but you need to know where to look. With the average UK house price now at £268,400 (June 2025), affordable property feels increasingly rare, especially for first-time buyers. However, certain towns across England, Scotland, and Wales remain undervalued — offering great opportunities to get on the property ladder without breaking the bank. Whether you’re relocating, investing, or buying your first home, here are 10 affordable places you should consider.
What Makes a Town Good Value in 2025?
- Lower property prices driven by local economic trends or lower demand
- Commuter links to larger cities or employment hubs
- Access to amenities like schools, healthcare, and public transport
- Green space and lifestyle benefits for growing families
- Regeneration projects that boost long-term value
When looking to buy a UK house under £150k in 2025, these factors can help identify towns with not only cheap housing — but also long-term potential.
Top 10 UK Towns to Buy a House Under £150K (2025)
1. Sunderland (Tyne & Wear)
Average Price: £142,000 — Sunderland continues to offer exceptional value for buyers. This coastal city combines affordable housing with strong transport links to Newcastle, a thriving university, and scenic beachfronts. Ongoing regeneration around the riverside and city centre adds long-term appeal for investors and first-time buyers.
2. Motherwell (North Lanarkshire)
Average First-Time Buyer Price: £129,000 — Located just 20 minutes by train from Glasgow, Motherwell is a smart choice for commuters. With major retail parks, public transport links, and new-build developments, it’s becoming increasingly attractive for young families and professionals priced out of nearby cities.
3. Shildon (County Durham)
Price Range: £70–90K — Shildon offers some of the cheapest homes in England. Formerly a railway town, it now presents great value for rural buyers looking to settle in County Durham. Proximity to Bishop Auckland and Durham means access to urban amenities without the high prices.
4. Cumnock (East Ayrshire)
Average Price: £83,000 — Nestled in the hills of East Ayrshire, Cumnock offers a quiet lifestyle with unbeatable affordability. Its remote location explains the low house prices, but it’s ideal for those prioritising peace, outdoor space, and lower living costs.
5. Saltcoats (North Ayrshire)
Average Price: £114,000 — A coastal town on the Firth of Clyde, Saltcoats is popular with retirees and families looking for scenic living. Transport to Glasgow has improved, and the town has seen modest regeneration, boosting its profile as a budget-friendly beach town.
6. Bradford (West Yorkshire)
Price Range: £70–150K — Bradford offers a wide range of affordable housing, especially in the outer suburbs. As part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, it benefits from regional investment and is increasingly seen as an alternative to Leeds, just 25 minutes away by train.
7. Peterlee (County Durham)
Average Price: £90,000 — Designed as a post-war New Town, Peterlee has large amounts of green space, access to the A19, and low property values. While its town centre is modest, the surrounding nature and transport make it a smart buy for under £100K.
8. Middlesbrough (Teesside)
Average Price: £140,000 — Middlesbrough has long been one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Ongoing regeneration in the city centre, digital hubs, and its position as a university town all contribute to its slow but steady rise — making it one to watch in 2025.
9. Swadlincote (Derbyshire)
Average Price: £145,000 — Close to Burton-on-Trent and Derby, Swadlincote is popular with families thanks to its good schools, parks, and family-friendly atmosphere. Despite its growth, prices remain under the £150k mark in several neighbourhoods.
10. Stourbridge (West Midlands)
Average Price: £148,000 — This leafy town lies on the edge of Birmingham’s commuter belt and offers countryside charm without a hefty price tag. Areas of Stourbridge remain undervalued compared to neighbouring towns, making it a surprising gem for first-time buyers.
Quick Comparison: Cheapest UK Towns to Buy in 2025
| Town | Avg Price | Why Cheap? | Why Consider? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sunderland | £142K | Industrial legacy | Coastal city, university, rail links |
| Motherwell | £129K | Overlooked commuter zone | Rail to Glasgow, value homes |
| Shildon | £70–90K | Past industrial oversupply | Durham area, green |
| Cumnock | £83K | Remote rural economy | Tranquil, low living cost |
| Saltcoats | £114K | Seasonal economy | Coastal access, improving transit |
| Bradford | £70–150K | Mixed reputation | Close to Leeds, cultural growth |
| Peterlee | £90K | Low demand, old stock | Greenbelt, commuter town |
| Middlesbrough | £140K | Legacy industry | University town, regeneration |
| Swadlincote | £145K | Rural, off-radar | Good schools, parks |
| Stourbridge | £148K | Pockets undervalued | Excellent schools, countryside |
House Price Comparison Chart: UK Average vs Affordable Towns
Final Thoughts: Is It Still Possible to Buy Cheap Property in the UK?
Buying a house for under £150,000 in the UK in 2025 is absolutely still possible, especially if you’re flexible on location and open to regeneration areas or less-popular postcodes. From Sunderland’s coastal revival to Shildon’s ultra-low prices, the towns listed here show that budget-friendly housing still exists — and may even offer better value than their higher-priced counterparts.
For first-time buyers, remote workers, or savvy investors, these towns represent a way onto the housing ladder without overstretching. As always, do your due diligence and explore local amenities, future investment plans, and transport options before buying.
Jasmine Birtles, finance expert and founder of MoneyMagpie.com says “When it comes to buying a property, cheap is not always cheerful. Be very clear what the downsides are to the home you’re buying, whether it’s to live in or to rent out. Make sure you pay for a full survey as they might find very expensive issues that make you realise the property is just not worth it. Even £100k is a lot of money so whatever the price, go in with your eyes open and a good idea of the costs you will incur once you have the keys.”
Ruby Layram, Investment Editor for MoneyMagpie Invest says, “If you want to get involved with the property market on a lower budget, you could consider REITS! REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts), allow you to put your money into the housing market without the hefty deposit. Instead of owning a property outright, you gain exposure to shares of property development companies that divvy up rent payments to investors through regular interest payments. REITs are convenient (you can buy them online), low-maintance (no fixing leaks or broken pipes) and flexible (you can easily sell them if you ever need the cash!). REITs are ideal for property investors- not so much for people who are looking for a place to live!”
Hi G,
I am interested in buying your property.Is it in a decent area.I am a cash buyer moving from south,and not a BTL.Looking for family home.Please get in touch at [email protected]
Even cheaper where I live in a large-ish town in Co Durham. Our large 3-bed end terrace Victorian is up for sale for £120,000 – prices in our town dropped by several thousand last year (no idea why!). The current value is LESS than it was 4 years ago, which is ridiculous, and really “upsetting” (being polite ) when we see how prices have risen elsewhere.
And no, the town isn’t a complete dive. ♀️
That’s really interesting. Is there any way I could interview you about living in a “low mortgage area” and talk about why and what it is like? The fact it sounds a nice area is particularely interesting. My email is [email protected]
Many thanks