Cost gap between flat and house prices widest its been in 30 years, Zoopla data shows

Cost gap between flat and house prices widest its been in 30 years, Zoopla data shows Since 2016, average house prices have surged by 43 per cent with flats a more modest 10 per cent - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments The financial disparity between houses and flats in the UK has reached its widest point in at least three decades, with the average house now costing 1.7 times the price of a typical apartment. This significant gap, highlighted by Zoopla, presents a growing challenge for aspiring homeowners. Since 2016, average house prices have surged by 43 per cent, while flats have seen a more modest 10 per cent increase. This divergent growth has pushed the house-to-flat price multiple from 1.3 times a decade ago to its current 1.7. The widening divide makes it increasingly difficult for "second steppers" – flat owners seeking a larger house – to progress up the property ladder for more space. Buyers can typically expect to pay £327,000 for a house, £134,000 more than the average price of a flat at £193,000. Zoopla said that, outside London, the average gap is even wider – a house now typically costs 2.3 times the price of a flat, up from 1.8 times in 2016. But in Scotland, the ratio has barely changed in a decade. The average house there is priced at 1.9 times that of a flat, which is similar to the 1.8 multiple seen in 2016. Looking at England, the flat-house price gap is widest in the Midlands and northern regions, where the relative affordability of a house means some first-time buyers skip flats entirely, Zoopla said. In the West Midlands, a house typically costs 2.5 times a flat, the highest ratio of any English region, it added. Zoopla used its house price index to make the calculations and its records go back 30 years. Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla said: “Buyers who invest time to research and understand the system and get support can take advantage of the gap between flat and house prices. “A well-managed building with a long lease and stable service charges is a very different proposition from a property with less clarity on service charges and a short lease.” Here are the average prices of flats, followed by the average prices of houses, followed by the house-to-flat price ratio in 2026, according to Zoopla: London Flat: £416,000 House: £809,000 Ratio: 1.9 South East Flat: £207,000 House: £480,000 Ratio: 2.3 Eastern England Flat: £186,000 House: £396,000 Ratio: 2.1 South West Flat: £174,000 House: £368,000 Ratio: 2.1 West Midlands Flat: £120,000 House: £296,000 Ratio: 2.5 East Midlands Flat: £113,000 House: £264,000 Ratio: 2.3 North West Flat: £120,000 House: £273,000 Ratio: 2.3 Yorkshire and the Humber Flat: £104,000 House: £250,000 Ratio: 2.4 North East Flat: £86,000 House: £202,000 Ratio: 2.3 Wales Flat: £116,000, House: £248,000 Ratio: 2.1 Scotland Flat: £118,000 House: £223,000 Ratio: 1.9 Northern Ireland Flat: £139,000 House: £223,000 Ratio: 1.6 Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments