Ever dreamt of moving back to your childhood hometown, perhaps to walk the same streets, pop into the corner shop that sold your favourite sweets, or raise a family where you grew up?
You’re not alone. Over half of Brits (52%), say they’d consider returning to the area they grew up in. But for many, that heart-warming vision clashes with a hard-hitting reality: they simply can’t afford it anymore.
Our latest research reveals that average UK house prices have jumped by 74% over the past two decades, rising from £113,900 in 2005 to £268,200 in 2025. For millions, this growth has transformed childhood stomping grounds into financially unreachable dreamlands.
The South price surge: dreams delayed
Some of the steepest climbs in property prices have occurred in London, the South East and the East of England, where returning home now often comes with a hefty price tag.
Londoners have witnessed a jaw-dropping 119% rise in average house prices since 2005, now sitting at an average of £534,400. Meanwhile, Elmbridge in Surrey takes the title for the largest average house price increase in the South East, up 110% to a wallet-wincing £712,700.
Over in the East of England, St Albans leads the charge with house prices more than doubling from £289,600 to £622,100. That’s a 110% increase, largely driven by the region’s commuter convenience and historical charm. Not quite the budget-friendly return home many may have imagined.
However, like the South East, there are more affordable pockets in the East of England.The popular coastal town Great Yarmouth has seen the lowest growth in average house price increases in the region over the last 20 years, up 77% from £105.900 to £187,700.
Region | Avg house price in 2025 | Avg house price in 2005 | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
London | £534,400 | £244,200 | 119% |
South East | £385,400 | £206,100 | 87% |
East of England | £337,500 | £180,600 | 87% |
South West | £312,000 | £179,300 | 74% |
East Midlands | £231,000 | £136,100 | 70% |
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North-South divide: nostalgia comes cheaper up north
But it’s not all doom and skyrocketing property ladders. Those born and raised in Northern regions may be pleasantly surprised to find affordability still within reach.
The North East has seen the smallest increase in house prices, just 39% over twenty years. In Sunderland, homes have only nudged up by 22%, from £101,600 to £124,000. In Blackpool, the rise is similarly modest, up just 26%, with homes costing £124.300, up from £98,400 in 2005, making it one of the most affordable seaside towns for returnees.
Affordability has improved in real terms in the North West and Yorkshire, too, with house price to earnings ratios falling: From 6 to 5.1 in the North West and 5.7 to 5 in Yorkshire - a rare bit of good news in the housing market saga.
Region | Avg house price in 2025 | Avg house price in 2005 | Percentage increase |
|---|---|---|---|
Wales | £206,500 | £125,600 | 64% |
North West | £200,800 | £126,300 | 59% |
Yorkshire and the Humber | £190,400 | £121,200 | 57% |
North East | £146,400 | £115,800 | 26% |
Scotland | £168,000 | £103,100 | 63% |
A tale of two towns
To paint the picture clearly: if you’re heading home to Elmbridge, expect to fork out over £370,000 more than in 2005. But a move to Hull, where prices have risen a more modest 49%, might only cost you around £38,000 more than it would’ve twenty years ago.
The local authority with the lowest increase in house prices is Sunderland, where prices have crept up by just £22,400 over the past two decades.
Planning your next move
Daniel Copley, consumer expert at Zoopla, sums it up: "Our latest analysis brings to light the profound impact two decades of house price growth has had on the dream of 'returning home'. UK house prices have soared by 74% since 2005, making that nostalgic return financially unattainable for many, especially in hotspots in the South East and the East of England."
"However, the picture is far from uniform across the UK. Our data shows that while some areas have seen dramatic increases, house prices have risen slowly, in line with incomes in northern regions. This means that for some, the dream of returning to their roots might be much more attainable than they think.”
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If you’re exploring the idea of a return to your hometown, our affordability tools, including mortgage calculators and area guides, are here to help you assess what’s possible based on your circumstances.
Because while the heart may yearn for home, it’s best to move with both your dreams and your budget in hand.