House Prices May 2026: The Biggest Risers and Fallers
The latest official house price figures are in. HM Land Registry's data for May 2026 puts the average home in England at £292,095 (+2.3% over the year) and Wales at £215,252 (+4.2%).
As ever, the national average hides big local differences — here are the areas moving fastest, in both directions.
At a glance
- England average
- £292,095 (+2.3% yr)
- Wales average
- £215,252 (+4.2% yr)
- Data month
- May 2026
- Source
- HM Land Registry
The fastest-rising areas this year
| Area | Average price | 12-month change |
|---|---|---|
| Preston | £186,418 | +10.7% |
| North East Derbyshire | £254,787 | +10.6% |
| Caerphilly | £198,809 | +9.2% |
| St Helens | £182,923 | +8.8% |
| Redcar and Cleveland | £154,696 | +8.7% |
The biggest fallers
| Area | Average price | 12-month change |
|---|---|---|
| City of London | £626,980 | -28.1% |
| City of Westminster | £836,331 | -22.8% |
| Tower Hamlets | £444,332 | -14.5% |
| Hammersmith and Fulham | £729,407 | -10.9% |
| Kensington and Chelsea | £1,255,567 | -10.7% |
Monthly figures bounce around, so treat one month's move with caution — the 12-month change above is the steadier signal. You can explore every area, with 1-year, 5-year and 10-year changes, on our house prices by area pages.
What's your own home worth now?
The averages above are area-wide. For your own home, enter your postcode and what you paid — we'll uplift it by how your area has actually moved since:
Frequently asked questions
Are UK house prices rising or falling?
In the year to May 2026, average prices rose 2.3% in England and rose 4.2% in Wales — but it varies hugely by area, as the tables above show.
Where are house prices rising fastest?
On the latest 12-month figures, Preston leads at +10.7%, followed by North East Derbyshire (+10.6%) and Caerphilly (+9.2%).
How accurate are these figures?
They come from HM Land Registry's UK House Price Index, which is based on actual completed sales — the most reliable measure there is, though it lags the market by a couple of months.
Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Figures are the May 2026 data release.
