Manchester’s five property hotspots where prices are soaring - and the cheapest place to buy in the city

Buyers had to fork out tens of thousands of pounds more for homes in Manchester last year, according to new figures.

The impact of the coronavirus pandemic, which prevented house sales during the first lockdown, coupled with stamp duty holidays, has boosted the housing market across the UK since the world opened back up in 2020.

Office for National Statistics data shows the median house price hit £208,000 in Manchester in the year to June – an increase of £20,000 compared to the previous 12 months.

House prices were also above pre-pandemic levels, with the average standing at £177,000 in the year to June 2019. The median – the middle number in a series – is used to ensure the figures are not skewed by extreme highs or lows.

These neighbourhoods in Manchester recorded the highest median house prices in the year to June:

• Didsbury Village: £390,000 – up from £315,000 in 2019-20

• Chorlton North: £370,000 – up from £320,000

• East Didsbury: £341,000 – an increase from £315,000

• Chorlton South: £339,000 – rising from £300,000

• West Didsbury and Beech Road and Chorlton Meadows, both at: £320,000 – up from £313,000 and up from £290,000 respectively

By contrast, the area recording the lowest average house price was Harpurhey South and Monsall, where homes sold for around £122,000 in 2020-21.

The figures also show the number of homes sold in Manchester dropped year-on-year, from 5,029 to 4,696.

We asked the people of Manchester whether sacrifices or compromises have to be made to afford a house for our video report.