Areas of Sussex: Buy-to-Let Property Investment Hotspots
Sussex by the Sea is a term that’s often used to describe Sussex. But while Sussex is a county of seaside towns that’s not all it has to offer. Sussex also offers busy commercial and commuter towns too, and so has a wide range of opportunities for property investors.
Why Invest in Sussex?
Sussex is a county of coast and country. Sussex is known for its woodlands, its rolling landscape and its seaside towns along its long English Channel coast. The High Weald and South Downs cover much of Sussex.
While much of Sussex is rural there are some important commercial centres too. The main jobs hotspots in Sussex are around Brighton and the Crawley area around Gatwick Airport which makes up the Gatwick Diamond area.
Parts of northern Sussex are within the London commuter belt. Some parts of Sussex are also popular with those who work in Brighton. Property prices and demand for homes to buy and rent tend to be higher in areas that have good road and rail access to London or Brighton.
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Sussex has a well-balanced economy. Key industries in Sussex include transport, ports and airports, tourism, professional services, financial services, food and drink, light manufacturing, pharmaceuticals and tech.
Sussex is not just one county but two. It is divided into East Sussex and West Sussex for administrative purposes. The main district council areas in Sussex are Arun, Brighton and Hove, Chichester, Crawley, Eastbourne, Hastings, Horsham, Lewes, Mid Sussex, Rother and Wealden. You can find out which local authority covers any property investment you are considering, here.
Property Values in Sussex
Sussex is part of the south-east of England which is generally a high property price area. Some parts of Sussex have an average property price of around £400,000. As a general guide, East Sussex has lower property prices than West Sussex.
It is possible to find cheap property investments in Sussex. You can invest in property in Sussex from as little as £50,000, according to Zoopla listings.
The most expensive areas for property prices in Sussex are Burgess Hill, Haywards Heath and East Grinstead. The cheapest place to invest in property in Sussex is Hastings where prices are below the national average for England. Other good value property locations include Crawley and Eastbourne where house prices are still only around the national average.
Rental Demand in Sussex
Many parts of Sussex have high rental demand, due to a shortage of property and high house prices. An average rental property in most parts of Sussex will earn at least £1,000 PCM in rent. In some rental hotspots, such as Brighton, the average monthly rent is almost double the national average.
Sussex landlords can expect yields in the region of 3-4.5% depending on the area according to property xyz.
Sussex also offers some opportunities for student property investors. Brighton is the main student centre in Sussex being home to the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex which have over 40,000 students between them. The University of Chichester has around 5,400 students.
Some areas, particularly the Sussex seaside towns, also have holiday property investment opportunities.
Rental Demand in Sussex
Many parts of Sussex have high rental demand, due to a shortage of property and high house prices. An average rental property in most parts of Sussex will earn at least £1,000 PCM in rent. In some rental hotspots, such as Brighton, the average monthly rent is almost double the national average.
Sussex landlords can expect yields in the region of 3-4.5% depending on the area according to property xyz.
Sussex also offers some opportunities for student property investors. Brighton is the main student centre in Sussex being home to the University of Brighton and the University of Sussex which have over 40,000 students between them. The University of Chichester has around 5,400 students.
Some areas, particularly the Sussex seaside towns, also have holiday property investment opportunities.
Property Investment in Sussex
Here’s our guide to property investment in the main towns and cities of Sussex.
Bexhill
Population: 39,600 approximately
Average House Price: £321,216 (Rother district)
Bexhill is on the coast to the west of Hastings and is in the Rother District. It’s a small seaside town and a quieter residential area. Bexhill is popular with downsizers and retirees.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Bexhill is currently £972 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Bexhill are around 2.8% according to property xyz.
Bognor Regis
Population: 62,200 approximately
Average House Price: £313,726 (Arun district)
Bognor Regis (often known as Bognor for short) is a seaside town in West Sussex. Bognor Regis attracts many visitors and tourists in the season. Bognor is known for its Victorian Bognor Regis Pier and Butlins Bognor Regis.
Bognor also has good road and rail links to nearby towns which make it a popular place to live for those who work around the area. Bognor is a good value place to live compared to nearby Chichester.
Statistics provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Bognor Regis is currently £966 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Bognor Regis are around 3.4% according to property xyz.
Brighton
Population: 287,200 approximately
Average House Price: £400,060 (Brighton and Hove district)
The City of Brighton is the largest settlement in Sussex. It’s a fast-growing city with a population expected to grow to around 304,300 by 2026.
Brighton is known as a seaside resort and it attracts many tourists and visitors. However, Brighton has a thriving business sector too and the economy is said to be worth around £7 billion. Key Brighton industries include financial services, media and creative and tech.
Brighton is a high property price location with high demand from locals, visitors, students and also Londoners looking for second homes.
Brighton property investors might also consider nearby locations such as Portslade by Sea and Shoreham by Sea to the west and Seaford and Peacehaven to the east of Brighton.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Brighton is currently £1,932 pcm. Gross average rental yields in Brighton are still a strong 4.2% according to property xyz.
Read more about the buy-to-let property market in Brighton.
Burgess Hill
Population: 29,400 approximately
Average House Price: £403,382 (Mid Sussex district)
Burgess Hill is to the north of Brighton in a rural part of Sussex. It is well placed for commuters to London, Brighton and to the Crawley and Gatwick Airport area.
Burgess Hill is also a busy commercial town with a number of significant employers based in and around the town who provide many jobs.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Burgess Hill is currently £980 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Burgess Hill are around 3.7% according to property xyz.
Chichester
Population: 26,800 approximately
Average House Price: £396,771
Chichester is a historic walled city in West Sussex. Chichester has Roman origins dating back to 43 AD and is known for sites including Chichester Cathedral, the Goodwood Estate and Chichester Harbour.
Chichester’s historic city centre, shops, eateries and cultural attractions attract many visitors and tourists which are important to the economy.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ Goodwood Plant is close to Chichester.
Chichester is a smart and upmarket residential area and a higher property price area. It has been named as one of the best cities in which to live by The Times.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Chichester is currently £1,216 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Chichester are around 3.6% according to property xyz.
Here’s more information about the buy-to-let property market in Chichester.
Crawley
Population: 99,600 approximately
Average House Price: £292,562
Crawley is in northern Sussex close to the border with Surrey. Crawley is a one-time new town that has grown fast over the years. The population is expected to grow to around 121,000 over the next decade.
Crawley is close to London Gatwick Airport. Crawley also has great transport connections via rail and road (M23/A23) towards London and Brighton.
Crawley is a jobs hotspot that boosts the demand for accommodation in the area. Manor Royal is one of the largest business parks in Sussex. Due to its closeness to Gatwick Airport aviation and related services is one of Crawley’s main employers.
Crawley is a good value area of Sussex for property investors. House prices in Crawley are around 20-30% less than in some parts of Sussex.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Crawley is, currently, £1,028 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Crawley are around 3.8% property xyz figures indicate.
Here’s more information about the buy-to-let property market in Crawley.
Crowborough
Population: 24,500 approximately
Average House Price: £368,326 (Wealden district)
Crowborough is a small town in the north east of Sussex around 6 miles from Royal Tunbridge Wells in Kent and in the Wealden area. Crowborough is popular with some London commuters who prefer to live in a rural area. Crowborough is around 60 minutes by train from London Waterloo.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Crowborough is, currently, £1,446 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Crowborough are around 3.2% according to property xyz.
East Grinstead
Population: 26,500 approximately
Average House Price: £403,382 (Mid Sussex district)
East Grinstead is located in a rural part of north Sussex and is known for its historic town centre and good local amenities. East Grinstead has easy access to the commercial centres of Crawley and Gatwick Airport just to the west which provides many jobs. East Grinstead also has good road and rail links towards London (London Victoria 56 minutes) making it a popular residential spot for commuters.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in East Grinstead is currently £906 PCM. Gross average rental yields in East Grinstead are around 3% according to property xyz.
Eastbourne
Population: 90,500 approximately
Average House Price: £251,987
Eastbourne is a coastal town at the foot of the South Downs. Eastbourne is a tourist spot known for its Victorian seafront, Eastbourne Pier and the spectacular cliffs at Beachy Head. Eastbourne is also the main retail and service centre for this part of East Sussex.
Eastbourne is also the main employment centre for the area which supports the demand for accommodation. Key employers in Eastbourne include tourism, distribution, public services, tech. and creative industries.
Eastbourne is one of the cheapest places in Sussex in which to invest in property. Property prices in Eastbourne are over 35% less than in Brighton, for example.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Eastbourne is currently £971 PMC. Gross average rental yields in Eastbourne are a strong 4.3% according to property xyz.
Read more about the buy-to-let property market in Eastbourne.
Hailsham
Population: 20,200 approximately
Average House Price: £368,326 (Wealden district)
Hailsham is a market town to the north of Eastbourne. Hailsham is a quieter residential town. It has good road connections to nearby Eastbourne while extensive rail services are available from nearby Polegate.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Hailsham is currently £948 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Hailsham are around 3.5% according to property xyz.
Hastings
Population: 85,200 approximately
Average House Price: £245,346
Hastings is a seaside town in East Sussex. Hastings is known for its connection with the Battle of Hastings and for being one of the ancient Cinque Ports. Hastings is known for its traditional fishing fleet and is a popular tourist and visitor spot in the season.
Hastings is the cheapest town in Sussex for property prices.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Hastings is currently £971 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Hastings are around 3.4% property xyz's figures indicate.
Here’s more information about the buy-to-let property market in Hastings.
Haywards Heath
Population: 29,100 approximately
Average House Price: £403,382 (Mid Sussex district)
Haywards Heath is in East Sussex, around halfway between Crawley and Brighton. Haywards Heath has good road links around the area and has a good rail service to Gatwick (8 minutes), Brighton (21 minutes) and London (46 minutes). That makes Haywards Heath a popular Sussex commuter and residential area and one of its pricier locations.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Haywards Heath is currently £1,212 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Haywards Heath are around 3.4%, according to property xyz.
Littlehampton
Population: 50,900 approximately
Average House Price: £313,726 (Arun district)
Littlehampton is located on the south coast between Bognor Regis and Worthing in the Arun district. It has good rail and road links to other towns along the coast. Littlehampton is a traditional seaside town attracting many visitors in the season. It is also a small commercial port and leisure port.
Data from the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary shows that the average rent in Littlehampton is currently £1,072 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Littlehampton are around 3.8% according to property xyz.
Worthing
Population: 101,900 approximately
Average House Price: £303,174
Worthing is the largest town in West Sussex after Brighton. Worthing forms an almost continuous urban area with Brighton to the east and Littlehampton to the west. Worthing has good links by road and train to other Sussex towns along the coast and to northern parts of Sussex on the A24.
Worthing is known for being a seaside town and attracts many tourists and visitors in the season. However the Worthing economy provides jobs in other sectors too including financial services, tech. and creative industries. Employers include GlaxoSmithKline, LEMO UK, Rayner Lenses, HM Revenue & Customs, the Environment Agency and Southern Water.
The Adur and Worthing Growth Deal is a programme of regeneration projects to help unlock opportunities for new homes and employment in Adur and Worthing. It should help to make Worthing more attractive as a place to live, visit and work.
Worthing is a good value property location compared to nearby Brighton.
Figures provided by the Home.co.uk Market Rent Summary show that the average rent in Worthing is currently £1,140 PCM. Gross average rental yields in Worthing are around 4.1%, according to property xyz.
About Our Data
Note: Population estimates are based on information provided by Localstats. Current average asking prices are taken from HM Land Registry data and Zoopla. Buy-to-let yields by postcode are taken from Property.xyz.