Housing wealth data across the UK nations
The UK House Price Index covers all four nations and is compiled from HM Land Registry, Registers of Scotland and Land and Property Services Northern Ireland (UK HPI, April 2026, gov.uk). The Wealth and Assets Survey figures on property's share of wealth cover Great Britain, so they exclude Northern Ireland. Inheritance tax applies across the UK on broadly the same basis, but succession law differs: Scotland has its own rules, including legal rights for a spouse and children, and uses confirmation rather than a grant of probate. Where an estate crosses jurisdictions, it can be worth taking advice in each.
Sources and methodology
Every statistic on this page comes from a named official source and has been checked against the current publication. Regional prices are from the UK House Price Index; wealth-composition figures are from the ONS Wealth and Assets Survey; inheritance tax figures come from gov.uk.
- UK House Price Index summary, April 2026 (reference period April 2026): average prices and annual change by region and nation. Compiled by ONS from Land Registry data. gov.uk
- ONS, Total wealth in Great Britain, April 2020 to March 2022 (Wealth and Assets Survey, Round 8): property wealth share by region, median household wealth by region, property's share of total wealth. Accreditation suspended from this round; London estimates carry added uncertainty. ons.gov.uk
- HMRC / gov.uk, How Inheritance Tax works (as at July 2026, subject to change): nil-rate band, residence nil-rate band, rates, taper and the freeze to 2030-31. gov.uk/inheritance-tax
Figures are quoted as published, including the publishers' own rounding, and are not extrapolated beyond what each source states. House price indices are revised in later releases, and wealth surveys are updated periodically, so it can be worth checking the latest data before relying on a figure.
Frequently asked questions
Which UK region has the most housing wealth?
By average price, London leads: the average home there was valued at £552,655 in April 2026, well above every other region (UK HPI, April 2026, gov.uk). Property also made up 51% of household wealth in London over April 2020 to March 2022, the highest regional share in Great Britain (ONS).
Which region has the lowest average house price?
Of the English regions, the North East had the lowest average price, at £163,190 in April 2026, with Scotland close behind at £191,927 (UK HPI, April 2026, gov.uk). The North East also recorded the fastest annual growth of the English regions that month, at 9.9%, though it started from the lowest base.
How much of UK household wealth is held in property?
Net property wealth made up 40% of all household wealth in Great Britain over April 2020 to March 2022, the largest single component, ahead of private pension wealth at 35% (ONS, Total wealth in Great Britain). The property share varied by region, from 30% in the North East to 51% in London.
Does living in an expensive region mean my estate will pay inheritance tax?
Not necessarily. Most estates pay no inheritance tax, because each person has a nil-rate band of £325,000 plus a residence nil-rate band of up to £175,000 where a home passes to descendants, so a couple may pass on up to £1,000,000 in some cases (gov.uk, as at July 2026, subject to change). A higher-value home does use more of those allowances, so whether tax is due depends on the whole estate.
Why is the regional housing wealth gap narrowing?
Recent growth has been fastest in lower-priced regions. In the year to April 2026, prices rose 9.9% in the North East while falling 2.1% in London (UK HPI, April 2026, gov.uk). That can narrow the gap at the margin, but a single year is not a trend, and house price data is revised in later releases, so the pattern may change.
Is the housing wealth data the same across all four UK nations?
The UK House Price Index covers all four nations, drawing on Land Registry, Registers of Scotland and Land and Property Services Northern Ireland (UK HPI, April 2026, gov.uk). The ONS Wealth and Assets Survey figures on property's share of wealth cover Great Britain only, so Northern Ireland is not included there. Inheritance tax applies UK-wide, but succession law differs by nation.
About Fairchild Oldfield
The Fairchild Oldfield team brings together estate planning, tax, independent financial advice and client care, working with families across England and Wales.
Fairchild Oldfield are estate planning specialists and will writers, not a firm of solicitors. This article is general information based on practical experience, not legal, tax or financial advice.
Important: This article is general information only and is not legal, tax or financial advice. Reading it does not create a professional relationship. It is based on the law of England and Wales, and other UK jurisdictions may differ. Statistics are quoted from the named official sources for the reference periods shown, and figures and tax rules are current as at July 2026 and are subject to change. Before acting, many people choose to seek advice from a suitably qualified professional, such as a solicitor, a STEP practitioner, an accountant, or an FCA-authorised financial adviser, who can consider your individual circumstances.
