House prices in three northern cities are now growing faster than anywhere in the South East

Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle lead the league table as the North-South gap narrows.

House price growth in three major northern cities is now outpacing every part of the South East, marking the most significant narrowing of the North-South property gap in over two decades.

Manchester, Leeds and Newcastle have all recorded annual price growth in excess of 8%, while the South East as a whole averaged just 1.9% over the same period.

Analysts attribute the shift to a combination of relative affordability, sustained transport investment, and a wave of remote-working professionals leaving London with no intention of returning.

Local estate agents report that homes in the most desirable postcodes are increasingly selling above asking price after multiple competitive bids — a phenomenon long associated with the southern market.