With the lowest average house price of all English regions, at £163,000 in September 2023 compared to the national average of £291,000, homes in the North East are among the most affordable in the country.
This means you can get a lot more for your money, which is especially good for those trying to get on the housing ladder or those looking to relocate to benefit from a better quality of living.
If you’re planning to rent, there’s also a good range of rental accommodation available at affordable prices below the national average.
Where to live
Whether you’re looking for an apartment among the hustle and bustle of a big city, or you’re after a more traditional Victorian terrace in a quieter village setting, you can find it here.
Named one of Britain’s most beautiful cities by National Geographic and home to the impressive Durham Cathedral and striking Durham Castle, Durham offers traditional charm and easy access to the nearby market towns and villages of the Durham Dales.
Northumberland is the least populated county in England, with just over 320,000 inhabitants sharing 2000 square miles of space. This means there are endless wide open spaces to explore, as well as miles of deserted beaches to enjoy. But it’s also well connected, with the A1 and East Coast Mainline linking it to the major towns and cities.
With a rich history, vibrant nightlife and diverse cultural scene, Newcastle is arguably the North East’s most renowned city. Its strong sense of community, good schools and affordable housing makes it popular with people from all backgrounds. And with its own metro network and good road and rail infrastructure, it’s a well connected city to live in.
One of the smaller cities in the North East, Sunderland is perfect for those wanting a well-balanced lifestyle. Surrounded by beautiful beaches and calming countryside, the city also has an active cultural scene. With plenty to keep you busy, from museums and live music events to buzzing restaurants and bars, Sunderland has something for everyone.
The city also boasts some excellent schools and high-quality affordable housing.
Sitting opposite Newcastle on the banks of the River Tyne, Gateshead has a distinctive charm and welcoming, tight-knit community that makes it a popular place to live. Locals enjoy a vibrant social scene, and The Sage Gateshead is a hub for music events.
Housing here is more affordable than in neighbouring Newcastle, and good road infrastructure means the Northumberland coastline is just a short drive away.
Sitting between Newcastle, Gateshead and Sunderland, South Tyneside has a stunning, award-winning coastline and popular leisure attractions, making it a welcoming and fun place to live. There are quick transport links into Newcastle and Durham is only a drive away.
An attractive market town with excellent transport links, good schooling and affordable housing, Darlington has a great community spirit. With lots of open space and countryside walks, it offers a calmer lifestyle, but still has plenty going on.
Situated on the North Sea Coast, Hartlepool offers a relaxed, more community-based way of life. Here you can have the best of both worlds, with lower housing costs compared to the cities, but with access to the amenities and leisure facilities of nearby Durham and Teesside.
Stockton-on-Tees is known for its vibrant, welcoming community and here you’ll find green spaces and a wide variety of affordable housing. With the A66 and A19 providing quick access to the rest of the North East, commuting from Stockton-on-Tees is relatively easy and the town also has its own railway station which links to the main East of England route at Darlington.
Find out more on the Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council website.
Middlesbrough offers a wide range of housing at competitive prices, from starter homes to larger suburban housing. Residents enjoy a wide range of leisure and entertainment facilities, and with riverside walks along the Tees and quick access to the North York Moors, there’s also the chance to enjoy the outdoors. Frequent rail services run from Middlesbrough’s railway station to York, Leeds and Manchester, and Newcastle is only an hour away.
The towns and villages of Redcar and Cleveland offer a wide variety of low cost, affordable housing and a more relaxed pace of life. With the region’s stunning beaches and The North York Moors National Park within easy reach, there are plenty of chances to get outdoors. And if you’re looking for the buzz of the city, Durham, York and Newcastle are all within an hour’s drive.
Known for its sandy beaches, historical landmarks and easy access to Newcastle, North Tyneside offers good-quality, affordable housing in a vibrant location. North Tyneside has an extensive bus network and is served by 17 stations on the Tyne and Wear Metro, making it easy to get out and about to enjoy the local attractions.