Since the pandemic started in 2020 multiple sources including the Office for National Statistics, Nationwide Building Society, Zoopla and Rightmove have all been reporting month on month average house price increases across many regions in the UK.

The ‘race for space’ was one explanation given for the UK housing market heating up to record average house prices with the rarer ‘full house’ event occurring when all regions of the four nations recorded a year-on-year house price increase.

This change in priorities of how we live and changing desires of where we want to live – not just the location but near family too — have been the main driving forces behind the rapid increases according to many property professionals.

Read more: Luxury £1. 25m city dream home comes with hot tub in garden and wine cellar in the basement

Wales has consistently appeared as the top region showing the highest average cost increase across many of the financial and property companies who regularly scrutinise the latest home price figures. The house price data released by the Office of National Statistics (ONS) for September 2021 revealed that Wales continues to be the region in the UK with the highest house price growth

Even with the turbulent economic situation caused by many factors including the rapid rise in energy bills and the cost-of-living crisis and the Government’s September ‘mini-budget’ that caused panic in the markets that also led to sudden increases in mortgage rates, the average price in Wales is still rising, albeit at a slower pace than within the most frenetic outbreak months.

According to the Principality Building Society, house prices within Wales lifted by more than 12% to a record average of £245, 000, and the country continues to experience record property price growth within the third quarter. Compiling a list of the most and least affordable areas in Wales to buy a house, down to ward level as defined by the ONS, reveals some areas where maybe finding a reasonably priced house is still possible, below the Wales national average.

WalesOnline has compiled a list of the cheapest and most expensive counties to buy a house in Wales, based on average house costs and average gross annual income, including full-time and part-time work and before deductions, from the Workplace for National Statistics (ONS).

Of course , within the boundaries of every county you can find cheaper and more expensive houses than the typical house price, and jobs that pay more or less than the average for that area, but the average data supplied by the particular ONS produces an indicator to the least and most expensive areas to live.

Most affordable places to buy a house in Wales

The most affordable areas to get a house within our nation based on average house price figures are still predominantly in the south Wales valleys. But two of these areas are currently experiencing some of the highest year-on-year raises in Wales.

1 . Blaenau Gwent

This south Wales valleys area has the cheapest average house price at £135, 888, with the most affordable places within its boundaries being Abertillery south and Llanhilleth, where the average house price is around £99, 518, rising to £108, 041 in the nearby area of Abertillery north and Cwmtillery.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 17. 9% in order to September 2022, and the regular gross wage for the county is in the region of £27, 053 according to the ONS.

2 . Merthyr Tydfil

The south Wales valleys area of Merthyr Tydfil is the next most affordable county, with an average home price at £157, 491 according to the latest ONS data. The most affordable area within its boundary is Dowlais, where the average house cost is around £119, 478.

Home prices have increased year-on-year by 20. 4% to September 2022, making it the property hot spot for that month, as well as the average gross wage for that county is in the region of £28, 179 according to the ONS.

3. Rhondda Cynon Taf

The neighbouring collection of southern Wales valleys that comprise RCT is the third most economical county, with average house price at £160, 681 according to the latest ONS information. The most affordable areas inside its boundary are Tylorstown where the average house price is around £86, 759 plus Ferndale and Maerdy where a budget in the region of £89, 980 is required for an average home.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 17. 5% to September 2022, and the average gross wage for your county is in the region associated with £27, 239 according to the ONS.

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4. Neath Port Talbot

This region is recorded as having an average house price of £166, 871 according to the latest ONS data. The most affordable locations within its boundary is Glyncorrwg and Blaengwynfi, where the average house price is around £97, 267.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 18. 2% to September 2022, and the average gross wage for the county will be £28, 520. according to the ONS.

5. Caerphilly

One of the counties north of Cardiff that also covers a slice of the south Wales valleys region, Caerphilly county has an average house price figure of £190, 609. The most affordable areas within its boundary is New Tredegar and Darren Valley, in which the average house price is about £103, 576.

House costs have increased year-on-year simply by 17. 1% to Sept 2022, and the average gross wage for the county is usually published by the ONS as being £28, 621.

6. Swansea

Furthe west than the majority of the valleys county regions to one of Wales’ cities and this coastal location can still offer pockets of below national average priced houses. The particular county of Swansea comes with an average house price figure of £198, 801, with the cheapest areas being Landore which has an average house price of £109, 534 and Townhill recording houses for sale at around £111, 840 common.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 14. 6% to September 2022, as well as the average gross wage for the county is published by the ONS as being £27, 912.

7. Torfaen

Back west to the valleys again and the county of Torfaen recording the latest ONS average house price of £202, 890. For a level cheaper than this, head to West Pontnewydd and Thornhill where the average is definitely £136, 850 or Blaenavon where an average house costs an average of £141, 710.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 13. 9% in order to September 2022 in this county, and the average gross wage for the area is recorded by the ONS as being £29, 616.

8. Carmarthenshire

Wandering further along the south west coast gets you to the particular pretty county of Carmarthenshire, which has recorded some of the highest average house price boosts in the country over the last 18 months. But you can still find more of a bargain here, with the average home price currently at £207, 028, which is still way below the national average.

For probably the best deals head to Llanelli South where the typical house price is £125, 939 and Dafen plus Felin-foel, where it rises to £130, 707. Gross annual average pay is said to be £29, 412 in this county and house prices have increased by 12. 5%.

9. Bridgend

On the coast between Vale of Glamorgan and Neath Slot Talbot, and flanked by RCT too, this region has an average house cost figure of £207, 983 with the cheapest areas becoming Caerau which has an average house price of ££99, 325 and Blaengarw, Pontycymer and Bettws recording house prices in around £125, 831 average.

In this county, house costs have increased year-on-year simply by 13. 9% to September 2022 and the average major wage for the area can be £30, 406 according to the ONS.

10. Denbighshire

Head to the north of Wales as well as the cheapest area to call home based on average house prices is Denbighshire, with the data published as £210, 387, and the cheapest locations indicated as Rhyl south west with an average house price of £122, 588 and Rhyl northern recording a figure associated with £145, 865.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 18. 6% to Sept 2022 in this county, and the average gross wage for that area is recorded from the ONS as being £24, 859.

Least affordable places to buy a house in Wales

At the other end of the scale from looking for a bargain, the most expensive county in Wales to get a house is Monmouthshire, and has been for many months. This border county has a current average house price of £363, 949, over £100, 000 more than Wales’ national typical.

Famous footballers and millionaires county of Vale of Glamorgan is not far behind on the budget-busting list of home prices, with the poshest parts of the capital city pushing the average up to secure the capital a third place on the list.

The coastal county of Ceredigion within fourth might surprise some people, but this area offers seen a marked increase in its popularity and house prices since the pandemic. Find out more about that here.

1 . Monmouthshire

The most expensive state to call home, Monmouthshire has an average house associated with £363, 949 and even the cheapest area, Caldicot South having an average price of £250, 777 is still above Wales’ national average. The most expensive area according to the ONS data is Rhaglan and Llantilio Crossenny with a budget melting average associated with £475, 639.

House costs have increased year-on-year simply by 14. 9% to September 2022 in this county, as well as the average gross wage for your area is recorded with the ONS as being £32, 918.

2 . Vale of Glamorgan

The county that includes the particular expensive Cowbridge and Penarth but also the more reasonable Barry has an average house associated with £315, 039. The most inexpensive areas are Barry East with an average of £172, 974 rising to £202, 790 in Barry West.

Peterston-super-Ely and Wenvoe within commuting distance to Cardiff are the most expensive areas with an average of £486, 251, closely followed by Cowbridge at £468, 452.

Home prices have increased year-on-year by 16. 6% in order to September 2022 in this county, and the average gross income for the area is documented by the ONS as being £29, 561.

3. Cardiff

The capital city is a real mix of home prices and cheap plus expensive locations that means the typical for the city lands from £267, 573, still above the national average. The cheapest areas are Ely Eastern with an average of £153, 412 and Llanedeyrn close behind at £156, 171.

Few city dwellers that know the location will be surprised to discover that the two most expensive areas are Cyncoed North at an average of £501, 756 and Lisvane with £474, 407.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 13. 1% to Sept 2022 in this county, and the average gross wage for the area is recorded by ONS as being £30, 301.

4. Ceredigion

This seaside county has in the past been a bit of a hidden gem, arguably over-shadowed by Pembrokeshire to the south and Gwynedd to the north regarding people’s awareness of Welsh counties, but not any more, with the ONS latest data stating the standard house price here is now £262, 535.

The most affordable areas in the county are Aberystwyth South at £200, 976, Aberystwyth North on £207, 217 and Borth and Bont-goch at £234, 710. But if you want to spend more, head to New Quay plus Penbryn at £290, 881 and Cardigan and Aberporth at £275, 885.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 15. 1% to September 2022 in this region, and the average gross wage for the area is recorded by the ONS as being £29, 859.

5. Powys

Wales largest county in terms of land has seen a house price increase to an average of £262, 407. For more property for your pounds seek out Newtown South with an average associated with £151, 249, and Ystradgynlais and Tawe Uchaf at £170, 641. To spend more, set the sat nav to Crickhowell, Llangynidr and Llangorse where the average is certainly considerably more than the county average at £379, 621.

Home prices have increased year-on-year by 16. 4% in order to September 2022 in this state, and the average gross income for the area is documented by the ONS as being £27, 958.

6. Pembrokeshire

Home to the Pembrokeshire Coast Nationwide Park and a hive of tourism activity, this the west county has an average house price of £248, 315. But wander down to Milford Haven West to find a more reasonable abode at an average of £163, 282 or be quick to snap up a dream home in St David’s and Letterston as there are few to choose from, with an normal of £306, 894. The coastal hotspot of Saundersfoot takes a close second for that county’s most expensive area by having an average of £304, 739.

House prices have improved year-on-year by 16. 7% to September 2022 with this county, and the average gross wage for the area is recorded by the ONS to be £28, 737.

seven. Isle of Anglesey

Wales’ most northerly county as well as the nation’s largest island right now has an average house price of £246, 404. Holyhead is the place to go to make your budget go further with an average associated with £143, 538, with Beaumaris and Benllech the most expensive area at £332, 169.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 12% to September 2022 in this county, and the average gross wage for your area is recorded by the ONS as being £27, 368.

8. Newport

The third town and surrounding area to make it onto the most expensive list is Newport with an average home price now sitting in £233, 001. Bargain places include Ringland at £144, 752 and Victoria & Somerton at £147, 825 or push the property boat out at Ridgeway plus Glasllwch costing an average of £348, 554, or Langstone and Llanwern at £338, 822.

House prices have increased year-on-year by 10. 3% to September 2022 within this county, and the average major wage for the area will be recorded by the ONS as being £28, 189.

9. Conwy

This north coast county now has an average house price of £221, 492 but with Colwyn Bay North welcoming you with an average of £170, 332 and Llandudno Town and Gogarth not far behind at £173, 296. Llandudno Junction Northern and Deganwy, and then Betws-yn-Rhos, Llangernyw and Llansannan the priciest spots, at £294, 417 and £293, 533 respectively.

House prices have improved year-on-year by 12. 7% to September 2022 in this particular county, and the average major wage for the area is usually recorded by the ONS to be £29, 692.

10. Flintshire

In the north east corner closest to Cheshire plus Merseyside, Flintshire now posseses an average house price of £218, 539, with Connah’s Quay North the most affordable spot to call home from £136, 681 and Caerwys, Halkyn and Nannerch way over the Wales’ national ordinary at £278, 574.

Home prices have increased year-on-year by 13. 3% in order to September 2022 in this region, and the average gross salary for the area is recorded by the ONS as being £32, 992.

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