Best UK areas for first-time buyers
Councils where homes sell for less than the typical council in their region, ranked on transport links and how much crime is recorded.
Council ranking
Ranked on transport and safety
We’re checking our council-level figures before we publish a ranking.
In the meantime, every postcode report has these scores for the exact street. Look one up below.
How this list is made
Each council’s score is the average of its transport and safety scores. Every score ranks the council against the rest of the country from 10 to 100, so higher is always better. Only councils where the average sale price is below the typical council in their region are included. Councils missing any of these scores are left out, which is why Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland appear less often: some of the data covers England only.
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- 100
What to check for yourself
A council-level score is a starting point. Before you decide on a street:
- Council averages hide a wide range. Look at recent sold prices on the streets you’re considering.
- Check the council tax band for the property, not just the area.
- Try the commute at rush hour. Our transport score counts stops, not how often services run.
- Check broadband at the exact address before you commit.
- Look at planning applications nearby. New building can change a street quickly.
Look up a postcode
See the full report for a street you’re considering. Free, no account needed.