| House price, England | £294,000 on average (August 2026) |
| Cornwall | £274,570 |
| Brighton and Hove | £408,240 |
| Winchester | £453,188 |
| Council tax Band D, shire areas | £2,452 on average in 2026-27 |
| As of | November 2026 |
What is the south of England, anyway?
Officially there is the South East and the South West. In everyday speech the south means everything from the counties around London, along the coast of Kent and Sussex, down to Devon and Cornwall. If you are moving there, another split is more useful: the commuter belt, the coastal towns and the West Country.
The commuter belt around London lives off the train into the capital and is priced accordingly. The coastal towns from Brighton to Bournemouth combine sea and city life. And the west, from Bristol through Exeter to Cornwall, is further away, quieter and in places cheaper than many people expect.
House prices in the south
Average property prices in August 2026, official UK House Price Index. For comparison: England £294,000.
| Place | Average price | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Cornwall | £274,570 | West, coast, rural |
| Exeter | £289,403 | West, university city |
| Canterbury | £336,427 | Kent, cathedral city |
| Bristol | £353,596 | West, big city |
| Brighton and Hove | £408,240 | Coast, commuting distance to London |
| Winchester | £453,188 | Hampshire, commuter belt |
GOV.UK, UK House Price Index England, August 2026
Cornwall and Devon: sea, quiet, distance
Cornwall is the classic dream destination, and the numbers are kinder than its reputation: at £274,570 the average price in August 2026 was even below the England average. Exeter in Devon, at £289,403, was below it too.
The price you pay is distance. If you live in Cornwall, you plan the trip to a specialist, to the airport or to family on the continent differently than you would in Kent. Many coastal houses are holiday homes, which tightens the market in popular spots and makes villages quiet in winter. For retirees and remote workers that is often a perfect fit; families with school-age children should look closely at schools and journeys.
Brighton, Kent and the commuter belt
Brighton and Hove is colourful, full of students, by the sea and a short train ride from London. That costs: £408,240 on average. The commuter belt in Hampshire is dearer still; Winchester stood at £453,188. Canterbury in Kent, at £336,427, is an alternative with a cathedral, a university and short journeys to the continent.
If you live there and work in London, you pay for the time on the train and the ticket too. Put both in your budget before you fall for a thatched roof. For the London side of the sum, see moving to London.
Bristol and the west: a big city with a harbour
Bristol is the big city of the South West: harbour, universities, aerospace and technology jobs, a lively cultural scene. At £353,596 its average price is above the England average but well below London levels. For many families Bristol is the compromise between city, jobs and being near the coast.
Before you commit to the south
Six questions that tell you more about your future life than any holiday photo.
- How often do you really need to be in London, and what does that cost a month?
- How far is the nearest hospital with an A&E, and the nearest airport with flights to where your family lives?
- Is the place as lively in winter as in August, or are half the houses holiday lets?
- Which schools can your children reach without a parent taxi?
- Which council tax band is the house in, and what does that particular council charge?
- Is there broadband good enough for working from home? In the countryside that is not a given.
Running costs in the south
Besides rent or purchase price, council tax counts. In England's shire areas the average Band D bill for 2026-27 was £2,452, above London's £2,068. If you live alone you get 25 per cent off. What else to budget each month is on our page on the cost of living in the UK.
And if you still need to get there: visa, health surcharge and the first steps are in the requirements for moving to the UK. Buyers pay English stamp duty; the details are in buying a house in England.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cornwall expensive?
Not on average: £274,570 in August 2026, below the England average of £294,000. In popular coastal villages prices are much higher.
What does it cost to live in Brighton?
Housing is expensive: the average price in August 2026 was £408,240. Running costs such as council tax depend on the band of the house.
Do I need a visa for the south of England?
To move there and work, usually yes, unless you hold status under the EU Settlement Scheme.
Sources: GOV.UK: UK House Price Index England, August 2026; GOV.UK: Council Tax levels set by local authorities in England 2026 to 2027; GOV.UK: Council Tax
