Rightmove's first-time buyer analysis, published on 11 June 2026, showed why a national figure can conceal different local conditions. Its measure covered typical first-time buyer homes with up to two bedrooms.
The historical findings
Bridlington and St Helens each recorded an 18% annual increase in average asking prices in the analysis. Their respective averages were £167,321 and £133,106. Across Great Britain, the typical first-time buyer asking price was £228,048, down 0.7% over the year.
These are asking-price statistics from a particular period. They are not completed-sale valuations, current offers or predictions of what those markets will do next.
Read the sample carefully
Rightmove examined properties coming to market in May 2026. Its local analysis required at least 20 new listings and 20 sales-agreed transactions and excluded London. That scope matters when comparing the results with other housing reports.
Apply the information to a search
A fast-rising location is not automatically the right place to buy. Start with a budget that leaves room for the costs of owning the home, then compare properties that meet your requirements.
At viewings, record the condition of the building, the work you would need to carry out and any recurring charges. Ask for the documents needed to check those answers. Keep your own affordability decision separate from a market headline: the fact that prices increased in an earlier year does not settle what you should pay for a particular property now.
Editorial review: 16 October 2026. Original archive publication date retained.