The average age of a first-time buyer in the UK is 33 years old, this is two years older than 10 years ago when the average age was 31 years old.
This of course is understandable with managing the cost-of-living and challenges within the economy such as high interest rates making it difficult to get onto the property ladder.
The area in which buyers are looking has a big impact on age. In 2024, the average age of those buying their first property in Yorkshire and Humber was 29 years old, whereas London the average age was 33 years old. Specific areas differ, for example, Sutton in South London and Slough, Berkshire, the average age was higher at 38 years old.
However, it’s not all negative news, in fact quite the opposite. There was a total of 341,068 first-time buyers in the UK last year which is a 19% increase from 287,060 the previous year in 2023.
The average nationwide property price for a first-time buyer in 2024 was £311,034 which was an 8% increase from £288,136 from 2022.
Below are the average ages of first-time buyers over time, and by region:
Year | Average age of first-time buyer outside of London |
2024 | 33.5 |
2023 | 33 |
2022 | 33.4 |
2021 | 32.1 |
2020 | 31.8 |
2019 | 32.1 |
2018 | 32.6 |
2017 | 33.1 |
2016 | 32.3 |
2015 | 32.5 |
2014 | 31.8 |
Age | Region |
33 | East Midlands |
33 | London |
32 | East Anglia |
32 | North West |
32 | Scotland |
32 | South East |
32 | South West |
32 | Wales |
32 | West Midlands |
30 | North England |
29 | Yorkshire & Humber |
Despite first-time buyers being older, TSB has reported that more people are getting on the property ladder without the need for financial help.
Sources: This is Money, Mortgage Introducer, Finder.
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