Glasgow named as top city for first time buyers for fourth year running

For the fourth year running, Glasgow has been named the best city in the UK for first time buyers (FTBs), according to Aldermore’s 2025 First Time Buyer Appeal Index*. The research highlights which cities offer the most attractive opportunities for those taking their first step onto the property ladder.

At Aldermore, we share insights like these to help mortgage intermediaries understand the factors shaping first time buyers’ decisions. By exploring trends in affordability, house price growth, and lifestyle considerations, brokers can gain a fuller picture of the challenges and opportunities facing clients across the UK.

Glasgow retains top spot

Glasgow continues to lead the rankings, combining strong affordability with an appealing lifestyle:

Northern cities on the rise

Liverpool has surged to 2nd place, benefiting from:

• Average selling price: £161,525, up 6.9% year-on-year
• Property pillar score: 88/100, an 18-point rise
• First time buyer share of sales: 69%
• Average commute time: 19 minutes

Newcastle also climbs the rankings, with long-term house price growth of 5.1%, making both cities attractive options for affordability-conscious buyers.

Other northern cities performing strongly include Hull (7th) and Manchester (6th), reflecting a broader spread of FTB opportunities beyond Scotland.

Biggest climbers in 2025

Several cities made notable gains in this year’s Index:

• Sheffield: up 21 places to 15th, driven by affordability and 5.9% annual house growth. FTBs make up 63% of local buyers.
• Sunderland: up 17 places to 17th, with attractive asking prices despite lower lifestyle scores.
• Bradford: up 17 places to 26th, benefiting from property affordability.

What this means

Jon Cooper, Aldermore’s Director of Mortgages, comments:

“For the fourth year running, Glasgow leads the way as the best city for first time buyers, with northern cities continuing to dominate our rankings. While affordability challenges remain, particularly across southern England, our research shows there are still pockets of opportunity for those ready to take their first step onto the property ladder. Aldermore welcomes the FCA’s recent announcement on proposed UK mortgage rule changes, which should help more FTBs and the self-employed to get a step-up onto the housing ladder.

“It’s well worth FTBs engaging a broker to help them throughout this journey. A broker will always have your back and strive to find you the right deal at the best possible price, and their expertise will only save time and remove stress from the entire process.”

For intermediaries, the Appeal Index provides insights into the affordability and lifestyle factors influencing FTB decisions. Understanding which cities are rising in desirability, and which remain out of reach, helps brokers better anticipate client needs, questions, and priorities.

2025 First time buyer appeal index: Top 10 cities

Key takeaways for brokers

• Northern cities are becoming increasingly attractive for FTBs, offering affordability, lower deposits, and strong growth prospects.
• Southern commuter towns remain challenging due to high property prices and affordability pressures.
• The Appeal Index highlights areas of opportunity, helping brokers stay informed about where clients may be looking to buy.

Find out more about our mortgages for first time buyers here or to read the full report, click here

* Aldermore’s First Time Buyer Appeal Index was designed by Opinium and comprises 10 key indicators across two pillars. The index uses a series of secondary data sources including ONS, Census, NOMIS and other official housing statistics.