Home / Business and Economy / Manchester: First-Time Buyer Boomtown
Manchester: First-Time Buyer Boomtown
25 Feb
Summary
- Manchester is England's top city for first-time buyers.
- First-time buyers pay nearly £25,000 less in Manchester.
- Worcester shows the fastest growing first-time buyer market.
Manchester has emerged as England's leading hotspot for first-time buyers, propelled by a strong economy and more accessible property prices. In 2025, first-time buyers constituted 70.2% of all mortgaged home purchases in the city, according to Lloyds Banking Group.
Property experts note that Manchester's appeal lies in its lower-than-average property prices, ample job opportunities, and diverse housing stock. The average first-time buyer price in Manchester stood at £230,090, which is nearly £25,000 less than the national average of £254,920.
This trend saw more individuals entering the property market in Manchester in 2025 than in any year since 2019. Despite rising prices, with a 5.7% increase in December 2025 compared to the previous year, Manchester remains an attractive prospect.
Beyond Manchester, Worcester has been identified as the fastest-growing first-time buyer market. In 2025, first-time buyers represented 58.7% of the market share in Worcester, a significant increase from 40.6% in 2024.
Other areas like Sandwell, Birmingham, and Luton also saw high concentrations of first-time buyers in 2025, indicating a broader trend of increased market entry for new homeowners across England. This surge in activity highlights a strong demand for starter homes and a willingness among buyers to explore diverse locations.
