Getting on the property ladder in your 20s may seem unattainable for many aspiring homeowners, but in some parts of the UK the average first-time buyer age is as young as 27, according to analysis by a major mortgage lender.
Nestled in picturesque countryside in the north west of England, the Ribble Valley in Lancashire has an average first-time buyer age of 27 – five years younger than the average age across the UK of 32, Lloyds found. Encompassing charming villages with the bustling market town of Clitheroe at its heart, the Ribble Valley was identified as having the youngest typical first-time buyer age in the study.
Other Locations with Young First-Time Buyers
Nearby Pendle also recorded an average age just over 27, while South Staffordshire in the West Midlands matched this figure. In eastern England, north Norfolk and mid-Suffolk saw average first-time buyer ages of around 28, putting homeownership within reach for some Gen-Zs.
Least Expensive Areas for First-Time Buyers
Lloyds also examined the most affordable locations for people getting on the property ladder. East Ayrshire in Scotland was the least expensive, with an average first-time buyer price of £147,353. The area is well connected to Scotland’s central belt, offering routes into Glasgow and nearby employment hubs, helping buyers balance countryside living with a manageable commute.
Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, said: “Our research shows there are still genuine pockets of value for first‑time buyers, particularly for those with an open mind who are willing to be flexible on location and property type. With ongoing cost-of-living pressures and wider economic uncertainty, it’s completely understandable that some people are feeling cautious. But there are opportunities out there, and for many buyers, that flexibility can make a real difference.”
The research is based on Lloyds Banking Group’s housing statistics database, drawing on mortgage approval data from customers of Lloyds Bank, Halifax and Bank of Scotland. Average house prices were calculated covering the 12 months to February.
Giving general tips to first-time buyers, Ms Bryden suggested that they do their research on the home-buying process, speak to a mortgage professional early on and consider the different types of support available. Last week, Lloyds announced it is launching a new low-deposit mortgage that could help first-time buyers get on the property ladder with a deposit as low as £5,000.
Top 10 Areas with Youngest Average First-Time Buyer Ages
- Ribble Valley, North West – 27.0 years, £219,980
- South Staffordshire, West Midlands – 27.8 years, £259,678
- Pendle, North West – 27.9 years, £188,136
- Rutland, East Midlands – 28.1 years, £281,130
- Cannock Chase, West Midlands – 28.3 years, £213,399
- North Norfolk, Eastern England – 28.4 years, £242,318
- Staffordshire Moorlands, West Midlands – 28.5 years, £219,616
- Chorley, North West – 28.7 years, £221,232
- Mid Suffolk, Eastern England – 28.7 years, £289,372
- Westmorland and Furness, North West – 28.8 years, £212,848
Top 10 Least Expensive Areas for First-Time Buyers
- East Ayrshire, Scotland – £147,353
- Inverclyde, Scotland – £149,929
- Blackpool, North West – £150,780
- Kingston upon Hull, Yorkshire and the Humber – £151,171
- Na h-Eileanan Siar, Scotland – £155,300
- Hyndburn, North West – £155,911
- Clackmannanshire, Scotland – £156,041
- Merthyr Tydfil, Wales – £156,498
- South Tyneside, North East – £157,551
- West Dunbartonshire, Scotland – £159,437
Most Affordable Areas per Region
- East Midlands: Bolsover, £191,564
- East of England: Great Yarmouth, £236,447
- London: Barking and Dagenham, £363,748
- North East: South Tyneside, £157,551
- North West: Blackpool, £150,780
- Northern Ireland: Mid and East Antrim, £175,308
- Scotland: East Ayrshire, £147,353
- South East: Gosport, £228,617
- South West: Plymouth, £216,166
- Wales: Merthyr Tydfil, £156,498
- West Midlands: Stoke-on-Trent, £171,569
- Yorkshire and the Humber: Kingston upon Hull, £151,171
