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House prices across Wales experienced a stronger increase in the past year compared to the UK average, with certain regions seeing rises of around 7%. Particularly notable were the gains in areas like Blaenau Gwent and Anglesey, where prices grew significantly, while other regions such as Ceredigion and Merthyr Tydfil experienced slight declines in average house values.
The average property price in Wales reached £215,000 by December 2025, marking a 5.0% increase, or £10,000, from twelve months earlier. Within Welsh local authorities, Blaenau Gwent recorded a 7% rise in house prices, closely followed by Anglesey with a 7.2% increase. Conversely, Ceredigion saw a reduction of 4.1%, and Merthyr Tydfil experienced a 4.4% fall in average home prices.
Joseph Tibbs, an estate agent from Asset Estates in Abertillery, Blaenau Gwent, noted a slight decrease in buyer interest when compared to the previous year, despite ongoing sales. According to him, the market has shifted towards fewer but more serious inquiries. “It used to be that a property would go up and the phone wouldn’t stop ringing. You’d get anything from 10 to 15 viewings in the first two or three weeks. Now it seems to have really quietened down. It’s becoming more quality over quantity,” he explained. Tibbs also mentioned that many buyers migrating from more expensive urban areas, including Cardiff, Newport, and Bristol, were attracted to Wales due to its more affordable house prices and the increasing popularity of remote work.
For some hopeful first-time buyers, however, the challenge is less about saving for the deposit and more about managing the ongoing mortgage repayments. Sam Cartwright, a 25-year-old from Wrexham, expressed difficulties in affording monthly costs despite having saved £15,000 towards a deposit for properties priced around £150,000. He highlighted that, beyond the mortgage itself—which can range between £700 and £1,000 per month—there are additional expenses like council tax, heating, electricity, and water bills. Sam said, “I would be left with maybe £50 a month after all the housing costs were done. It’s unattainable in the sense that I have the deposit money, I just wouldn’t be able to afford the upkeep of the house on my own. It just begins to snowball and then it makes me think, I wouldn’t really be living if I did get a house, you know?” Reflecting on his peers, he observed that homeownership among people his age was uncommon, adding, “Something’s got to give. Either the wages have got to rise or the housing prices have got to drop, there can’t be both.”
According to Dan Hill, a research analyst at Savills, the relative affordability of housing in Wales compared to income levels is a key reason for its stronger price growth. “Wales outperforming the UK average is down to its relative affordability,” Hill said, explaining that lower house prices relative to local earnings provide fewer constraints for Welsh buyers than those in pricier parts of England, thereby supporting ongoing price increases. That said, some coastal areas such as Ceredigion and Pembrokeshire have not followed this pattern, recording price declines exceeding 3% after sharp rises during the pandemic years. Hill attributed this to recent changes in Welsh council tax legislation, which allows councils to charge up to 300% of the standard rate on second homes, effectively dampening demand from second-home buyers. Looking ahead, Hill remains optimistic about future growth, stating, “House prices in Wales should continue to outperform the UK average. This will be supported by a gradually improving economy and the likelihood of further interest rate cuts to come.”
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