New research from Lloyds identifies the locations outside London where first-time buyers make up the highest proportion of all mortgaged home purchases.
After a tough few years of both higher prices and rising borrowing costs, the affordability picture is improving and many first-time buyer hotspots are thriving. Leading the way is Manchester, where first time buyers made up 70.2% of all mortgaged home purchases last year – up from 67.2% in 2024. That’s the highest share anywhere in Britain outside of London.
Manchester’s mix of relatively affordable homes, strong job opportunities, major regeneration projects and a well connected transport network continues to draw in younger buyers. The city also saw more people take their first step onto the ladder in 2025 than in any year since 2019.
Next on the list comes Sandwell in the West Midlands, where first-time buyers made up 69.7% of the market.
Across the rest of Great Britain, the picture varies by region.
Glasgow has the highest share of first-time buyers of any local area in Scotland, at 61.2% and with an average property price of £182,910.
In Wales it’s Rhondda Cynon Taf, where those taking their first steps onto the property ladder make up 57.9% of the local housing market, at an average price of £156,035.
While the biggest concentrations of first-time buyers are usually found in major towns and cities, the fastest growing markets are often in smaller towns and more rural areas.
The cathedral city of Worcester leads the way, where first-time buyers accounted for 58.7% of the local housing market in 2025, up sharply from 40.6% in 2024.
Amanda Bryden, head of mortgages at Lloyds, commented: “Affordability is the number one priority for most first time buyers, and we’re seeing more people cast their net wider to find places that match both their lifestyle and their budget.
“That flexibility can quite literally open up more doors. Manchester is a magnet for those seeking modern city-living, while increasing demand for Worcester’s more historic charm shows just how quickly new and unexpected hotspots can emerge."
