The latest research from UK Property Development has found that the average new-build home now costs 30% more than an existing property across Great Britain, with the price gap growing by 6.2% over the last decade.
The research analysed average house price data for new-build and existing homes across Great Britain, comparing values recorded in 2016 with those in 2026. The analysis measured the percentage difference between average new-build and existing property prices in each region, before comparing how this premium has changed over the ten-year period.*
Across Great Britain, the average new-build property now commands a 30% premium over an existing home, up from 23.7% in 2016, an increase of 6.2% over the decade. In England, the premium has also increased, rising from 23.5% to 28.9%, a change of 5.4%.
At a regional level, the North East currently records one of the largest new-build premiums, with newly built homes costing 60% more than existing properties on average.
Scotland follows closely at 55.4%, while Wales ranks next at 44.7%. The East Midlands also records a substantial difference premium of 41.8%, ahead of Yorkshire and the Humber at 40.6%.
London remains the only region where new-build homes are, on average, less expensive than existing properties. The average new-build home is currently priced 10.5% below an existing home, compared with an 8.5% discount in 2016.
Looking at how the gap has changed over the last decade, Scotland has seen the largest increase in the new-build premium, with the gap widening by 8.3%. The East of England’s new-build price gap has grown by 7.9%, while the North East (7.8%) and South West (7.6%) have also seen an increase of more than 7%.
Meanwhile, the South East has seen the new-build price premium grow by 6.8% on the decade.
London is the only part of the country where the gap has moved in the opposite direction. The capital’s new-build discount has deepened by –1.9% since 2016, reinforcing its position as an outlier compared with every other region analysed.
Andy Morrison, Director of UK Property Development, said:”New-build homes continue to attract a premium in most parts of Great Britain, reflecting factors such as modern specifications, energy efficiency, and buyer demand for homes requiring less immediate maintenance.
What’s particularly notable is that the premium has widened over the past decade across almost every region, suggesting that the relative value buyers place on new-build properties has strengthened over time. This is likely largely due to the increasing public concern around energy efficiency, both on household bills and in our individual contributions to tackling climate change. New-build homes cost more to buy, but that is because of the great benefits and long-term cost savings they provide.”
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