House prices were sluggish overall in the UK in 2019 but in the western corner of the north of England it was a very different story, according to Halifax.
According to research by the bank, which compiles a much-respected house price index, the North West takes eight of the top 10 spots for house price increases during 2019.
First on the list, however, is Billingham in County Durham in the North East. According to Halifax this area has seen house prices grow by as much as 12.3% in 2019, with the average value crashing through the £200,000 milestone to reach £216,328 in October.
Typically, homes in the town, which is the birthplace of Billy Elliot star Jamie Bell, cost around eight times more than the average salary.
Second on the list is Ilkeston, Derbyshire in the East Midlands where prices soared by 9.1% from £249,439 in 2018 to £272,091 this year.
But the rest of the Top 10 is dominated by towns in the North West, namely Sale, Wilmslow, Blackburn, Bolton, Burnley, Chorley, Bootle and Southport.
In these locations, house prices have increased by at least 6% in 2019, according to Halifax.
Bucking the trend
Russell Galley, managing director of Halifax, described the vast North-South divide as an in ‘interesting twist’ to the year’s data.
“This bucks the trend we’ve seen in recent years and marks a small step towards achieving more balance in average regional house prices,” he said.
Galley added that it was good news for those selling in the North West but also meant those looking to buy in places like London would see homes becoming a little bit more affordable.
Indeed, the top 10 greatest price declines in 2019 all took place in London or the South East.
The biggest losses occurred in Harrow in Greater London where prices plunged by 3.6% from an average of £273,930 to £263,964. Enfield, also in Greater London, saw prices plunge by 3.5% in 2019.
House price growth in 2019
Top 10 towns with biggest increase in average house prices, 2018 to 2019 (Source: Halifax)
| Town | Region | Av House Price 2018 £ | Av House Price 2019 £ | Change
£ |
Change
% |
| Billingham | North East | 192,717 | 216,328 | 23,612 | 12.3% |
| Ilkeston | East Midlands | 249,439 | 272,091 | 22,651 | 9.1% |
| Sale | North West | 194,275 | 207,590 | 13,315 | 6.9% |
| Wilmslow | North West | 168,709 | 180,121 | 11,412 | 6.8% |
| Blackburn | North West | 320,207 | 341,395 | 21,188 | 6.6% |
| Bolton | North West | 214,656 | 228,530 | 13,874 | 6.5% |
| Burnley | North West | 164,486 | 175,070 | 10,583 | 6.4% |
| Chorley | North West | 165,384 | 175,928 | 10,545 | 6.4% |
| Bootle | North West | 271,089 | 287,962 | 16,873 | 6.2% |
| Southport | North West | 195,153 | 206,769 | 11,616 | 6.0% |
| UK average | 256,944 | 275,291 | 18,347 |
Top 10 towns with biggest decrease (*or smallest increase) in average house prices, 2018 to 2019 (Source: Halifax)
| Town | Region | Av House Price 2018
£ |
Av House Price 2019
£ |
Change
£ |
Change
% |
| Harrow | Greater London | 273,930 | 263,964 | -9,965 | -3.6% |
| Enfield | Greater London | 268,309 | 258,990 | -9,319 | -3.5% |
| Pinner | Greater London | 414,814 | 407,798 | -7,016 | -1.7% |
| Bognor Regis | South East | 299,648 | 296,377 | -3,271 | -1.1% |
| Worcester Park | Greater London | 687,743 | 680,250 | -7,493 | -1.1% |
| Farnham | South East | 409,763 | 407,072 | -2,691 | -0.7% |
| Oxford | South East | 200,314 | 199,526 | -788 | -0.4% |
| Banbury | South East | 235,509 | 234,803 | -706 | -0.3% |
| Bexleyheath | Greater London | 320,716 | 320,321 | -395 | -0.1% |
| Gillingham (Kent)* | South East | 169,169 | 169,745 | 576 | 0.3% |
