20 Cheapest Places to Buy a House or Flat in Birmingham
The cheapest location for property in Birmingham is B35 (Castle Vale), which has the lowest asking prices across Birmingham at £171,667. That's 27% below Birmingham's average sold price of £234,558 according to the latest HM Land Registry data.
Using current asking prices from estate agents and the UK's best property websites, combined with HM Land Registry sold house prices, we've identified Birmingham's 20 most affordable locations. Nine areas have average asking prices under £225,000, with entry points starting from just £171,667.
Birmingham sold prices are 13% below the UK average (£269,862) and 20% below England (£291,515). Sold prices range from detached houses averaging £439,758 to flats at £146,798. Birmingham's most affordable areas for buyers span from the regenerated Castle Vale estate in the northeast to inner-city areas like Winson Green and Aston, with B35, B2, and B18 offering the lowest asking prices.
Our research reveals affordability ratios from 3.97x to 7.09x in Birmingham's cheapest areas, with most falling below the UK average of 7.1x where homes cost over seven times annual earnings. Properties in B2 (Birmingham City Centre) have asking prices just 3.97x the local average household income of £46,600, making homeownership significantly more achievable than in most of the UK.
Our analysis combines current asking prices, Land Registry sold prices, and local household incomes to identify Birmingham's most affordable property markets. This reveals not just the cheapest locations, but crucially identifies each area's income-to-price ratios so you can assess genuine affordability.
Through detailed examination of over 40 Birmingham postcodes, we've ranked the 20 most affordable places to buy a home, complete with household income data and regional comparisons.
Exploring other UK regions? Check our guides on the cheapest places to live in Manchester, lowest house prices in London, most affordable areas in Wales, and the cheapest regions across England.
Article updated: January 2026
Birmingham's Most Affordable Property Markets 2026
Analysis of Birmingham's 10 cheapest postcodes reveals genuine value for first-time buyers and investors, with asking prices ranging from 27% to 2% below Birmingham's average sold price of £234,558.
- Cheapest places to buy a house in Birmingham: £171,667 (B35, Castle Vale) to £228,939 (B8, Saltley) across the 10 most affordable postcodes
- No houses under £100k: Birmingham's cheapest postcode now averages £171,667. For sub-£150k properties, look to flats in city centre postcodes or terraces in nearby towns like Wolverhampton or Walsall
- Cheaper than England average: All 10 locations are 21% to 41% below England's average sold price of £291,515
- Affordability ratios: Price-to-income ratios range from 3.97x (B2) to 7.09x (B8), with most areas below the UK average of 7.1x and England average of 7.7x
- Best areas to buy on a budget: Northeastern suburbs (Castle Vale), city centre (B1, B2, B3), inner-city areas (Aston, Winson Green, Balsall Heath), and eastern suburbs (Yardley, Stechford, Bordesley Green)
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by Robert Jones, Founder of Property Investments UK
With two decades in UK property, Rob has been investing in buy-to-let since 2005, and uses property data to develop tools for property market analysis.
Property Data Sources
Our location guide relies on diverse, authoritative datasets including:
- HM Land Registry UK House Price Index
- Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government
- Ordnance Survey Data Hub
- Propertydata.co.uk
We update our property data quarterly to ensure accuracy. Last update: January 2026. All data is presented as provided by our sources without adjustments or amendments.
Are There Houses for Sale in Birmingham Under £100k?
No, there are currently no houses available under £100,000 in Birmingham. The cheapest postcode, B35 (Castle Vale), has average asking prices of £171,667, this is well above the £100k threshold.
Birmingham's property market has moved on from sub-£100k territory. Even the most affordable flats in Birmingham now average around £146,798 according to Land Registry data. Ten years ago you could find terraces in Aston or Saltley for under six figures, but regeneration, investor demand, and general price inflation have pushed those days firmly into the past.
If you're set on a sub-£150k budget, you'll need to look beyond Birmingham to nearby West Midlands towns. These locations have much lower 'average' sold property prices and will have many individual properties available to purchase way below the average prices. Based on current asking prices:
- ST1 (Stoke-on-Trent) - Average asking price £127,929, the cheapest in the wider region
- ST6 (Stoke-on-Trent) - Average asking price £153,352
- ST4 (Stoke-on-Trent) - Average asking price £173,519
- WV1 (Wolverhampton) - Average asking price £188,224
- WS2 (Walsall) - Average asking price £192,823
The reality is that Birmingham's cheapest areas still offer strong value compared to the UK average. A £171,667 property in B35 is still 36% below the UK average sold price of £269,862, unfortunately it's just not sub-£100k cheap.
Remember these are total prices of the property, when purchasing with a mortgage, you will require only a percentage of this total purchase price, which we look at below for what typical deposits might be required to purchase a property in Birmingham when using finance.
Top 20 Cheapest Places to Buy a House in Birmingham
Based on current asking prices from estate agents and property portals, these 20 Birmingham postcodes offer the lowest average property prices across the city. The table includes price per square foot where available to help identify genuine value. Remember lower price per square foot indicates more space for your money.
| Rank & Area | Avg Asking Price | Avg Price per Sq Ft |
|---|---|---|
| 1. B35 (Castle Vale) | £171,667 | Not available |
| 2. B2 (Birmingham City Centre) | £185,000 | Not available |
| 3. B18 (Winson Green) | £190,327 | £249 |
| 4. B3 (Jewellery Quarter) | £200,858 | £317 |
| 5. B6 (Aston) | £206,154 | Not available |
| 6. B16 (Edgbaston) | £213,460 | £262 |
| 7. B9 (Bordesley Green) | £214,386 | Not available |
| 8. B1 (Birmingham City Centre) | £214,795 | £338 |
| 9. B21 (Handsworth) | £215,911 | £210 |
| 10. B12 (Balsall Heath) | £219,373 | £325 |
| 11. B25 (Yardley) | £219,998 | £263 |
| 12. B5 (Digbeth) | £221,166 | £322 |
| 13. B34 (Shard End) | £221,667 | Not available |
| 14. B23 (Erdington) | £221,773 | £235 |
| 15. B44 (Perry Barr) | £223,711 | £242 |
| 16. B11 (Sparkbrook) | £224,787 | £249 |
| 17. B33 (Stechford) | £225,208 | £251 |
| 18. B8 (Saltley) | £228,939 | £249 |
| 19. B37 (Chelmsley Wood) | £231,332 | £259 |
| 20. B10 (Small Heath) | £231,666 | Not available |
B35 (Castle Vale) tops the list at £171,667, making it 27% cheaper than Birmingham's average sold price of £234,558. This northeastern suburb was extensively regenerated in the 1990s and 2000s, with tower blocks replaced by lower rise housing. It is not the most glamorous postcode, but for pure affordability it is hard to beat.
The city centre postcodes B2 and B1 rank 2nd and 8th respectively, which might seem surprising. These low averages reflect the high proportion of flats and apartments in these areas rather than houses. If you are after a house specifically, look to B18 (Winson Green), B6 (Aston), or B21 (Handsworth) where terraced housing dominates.
For best value per square foot, B21 (Handsworth) stands out at just £210 per square foot, meaning you get significantly more space for your money compared to city centre locations where you might pay £317 to £338 per square foot.
Many of these affordable areas also deliver strong rental yields for Birmingham buy-to-let investors, with lower purchase prices combined with solid rental demand from the city's large workforce and student population.
How Affordable Are Birmingham's Cheapest Areas?
Price alone does not tell you whether an area is affordable. A £200,000 house in an area where average household income is £30,000 is very different from the same price where incomes average £45,000. The affordability ratio (price divided by income) shows which areas genuinely offer value for local buyers.
| Area | Avg Asking Price | Household Income | Affordability Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. B2 (City Centre) | £185,000 | £46,600 | 3.97x |
| 2. B3 (Jewellery Quarter) | £200,858 | £46,600 | 4.31x |
| 3. B1 (City Centre) | £214,795 | £44,900 | 4.78x |
| 4. B16 (Edgbaston) | £213,460 | £41,900 | 5.09x |
| 5. B5 (Digbeth) | £221,166 | £42,700 | 5.18x |
| 6. B35 (Castle Vale) | £171,667 | £32,600 | 5.27x |
| 7. B18 (Winson Green) | £190,327 | £35,200 | 5.41x |
| 8. B23 (Erdington) | £221,773 | £37,700 | 5.88x |
| 9. B25 (Yardley) | £219,998 | £36,900 | 5.96x |
| 10. B9 (Bordesley Green) | £214,386 | £35,100 | 6.11x |
| 11. B44 (Perry Barr) | £223,711 | £35,900 | 6.23x |
| 12. B21 (Handsworth) | £215,911 | £34,400 | 6.28x |
| 13. B12 (Balsall Heath) | £219,373 | £34,700 | 6.32x |
| 14. B11 (Sparkbrook) | £224,787 | £35,500 | 6.33x |
| 15. B34 (Shard End) | £221,667 | £34,000 | 6.52x |
| 16. B33 (Stechford) | £225,208 | £34,300 | 6.57x |
| 17. B37 (Chelmsley Wood) | £231,332 | £34,900 | 6.63x |
| 18. B6 (Aston) | £206,154 | £30,800 | 6.69x |
| 19. B10 (Small Heath) | £231,666 | £33,800 | 6.85x |
| 20. B8 (Saltley) | £228,939 | £32,300 | 7.09x |
The rankings shift when you factor in local incomes. B2 and B3, which rank 2nd and 4th cheapest by price, have the best affordability ratios (3.97x and 4.31x) because household incomes there are 35-50% higher than in outer suburbs. B5 (Digbeth) and B16 (Edgbaston) also perform well at 5.18x and 5.09x despite ranking 12th and 6th by price.
At the other end, B8 (Saltley) has the worst affordability ratio at 7.09x. It ranks 18th by price but has the lowest household income of any postcode on this list (£32,300). For local first time buyers, B8 is actually harder to access than several more expensive areas.
For comparison, the England average affordability ratio is 7.7x. Every postcode on this list beats the national average, but the gap between 3.97x (B2) and 7.09x (B8) is significant. A household earning £35,000 could comfortably afford a property at 5x income (£175,000) but would stretch at 7x (£245,000).
This ratio matters for both homeowners and investors. For homeowners, it shows how achievable homeownership is on local incomes. For landlords purchasing investment property in Birmingham, it helps assess tenant affordability and rental demand. If locals cannot afford to buy, they rent. That is your tenant pool.
Birmingham's 5 Most Affordable Areas by Income Ratio
Understanding House Price to Income Ratios
The affordability ratio shows how many years of household income it would take to buy a property outright. For example, B35 (Castle Vale) at £171,667 with average household income of £32,600 gives a ratio of 5.27x. It would take 5.27 years of total household income to buy the property outright, before living costs.
In practice, lenders typically offer 4.5x income mortgages. So a household earning £32,600 could borrow around £146,700. Add a 10% deposit (£17,167) and they could afford roughly £163,867. That is still £7,800 short of B35's average price, which explains why many buyers need two incomes or larger deposits.
How Birmingham's Cheapest Areas Compare
Birmingham's cheapest 20 postcodes show affordability ratios ranging from 3.97x (B2) to 7.09x (B8). For context:
- Under 5.0x: Genuinely affordable. Only B2 (3.97x), B3 (4.31x), and B1 (4.78x) qualify. All are city centre locations with higher than average local incomes and predominantly flats.
- 5.0x to 6.0x: Below UK average. B16, B5, B35, B18, B23, and B25 fall here. Achievable for dual income households.
- 6.0x to 7.0x: Around UK average. Most Birmingham cheap areas sit here, including B9, B44, B21, B12, B11, B34, B33, B37, B6, and B10.
- Over 7.0x: Stretched. Only B8 (7.09x) exceeds 7x. Low local incomes make it harder to access than prices suggest.
The England average is 7.7x, and London exceeds 12x in many boroughs. Every postcode on this list beats the national average, but the gap between B2 (3.97x) and B8 (7.09x) is substantial. For investors, areas with better affordability ratios often see stronger owner occupier demand, which can support capital growth.
First Time Buyers: What Income Do You Need?
Knowing an area is cheap does not tell you whether you can actually buy there. This table shows the deposit and household income needed to purchase in each of Birmingham's 20 cheapest postcodes, based on a 10% deposit and a standard 4.5x income mortgage.
| Area | Avg Asking Price | 10% Deposit | Income Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. B35 (Castle Vale) | £171,667 | £17,167 | £34,333 |
| 2. B2 (Birmingham City Centre) | £185,000 | £18,500 | £37,000 |
| 3. B18 (Winson Green) | £190,327 | £19,033 | £38,065 |
| 4. B3 (Jewellery Quarter) | £200,858 | £20,086 | £40,172 |
| 5. B6 (Aston) | £206,154 | £20,615 | £41,231 |
| 6. B16 (Edgbaston) | £213,460 | £21,346 | £42,692 |
| 7. B9 (Bordesley Green) | £214,386 | £21,439 | £42,877 |
| 8. B1 (Birmingham City Centre) | £214,795 | £21,480 | £42,959 |
| 9. B21 (Handsworth) | £215,911 | £21,591 | £43,182 |
| 10. B12 (Balsall Heath) | £219,373 | £21,937 | £43,875 |
| 11. B25 (Yardley) | £219,998 | £22,000 | £44,000 |
| 12. B5 (Digbeth) | £221,166 | £22,117 | £44,233 |
| 13. B34 (Shard End) | £221,667 | £22,167 | £44,333 |
| 14. B23 (Erdington) | £221,773 | £22,177 | £44,355 |
| 15. B44 (Perry Barr) | £223,711 | £22,371 | £44,742 |
| 16. B11 (Sparkbrook) | £224,787 | £22,479 | £44,957 |
| 17. B33 (Stechford) | £225,208 | £22,521 | £45,042 |
| 18. B8 (Saltley) | £228,939 | £22,894 | £45,788 |
| 19. B37 (Chelmsley Wood) | £231,332 | £23,133 | £46,266 |
| 20. B10 (Small Heath) | £231,666 | £23,167 | £46,333 |
Note: Lenders may require higher deposits (15%+) for city centre apartments from first time buyers. Also buy-to-let landlords may be required to provide 25-30% deposits when purchase a property (house or apartment) to rent out.
B35 (Castle Vale) is the most accessible for first time buyers, requiring a £17,167 deposit and household income of around £34,333. That is achievable for a single earner on a decent salary or a couple both working. Compare this to B10 (Small Heath) at the bottom of the list, which needs £23,167 deposit and £46,333 income.
The deposit gap between cheapest and 20th cheapest is about £6,000. That is roughly a year of additional saving for someone putting away £500 a month. The income gap is £12,000, which could be the difference between qualifying solo or needing a joint application.
How These Figures Compare to Local Incomes
Here is where it gets interesting. The average household income in B35 is £32,600, but you need £34,333 to buy there on a 4.5x mortgage. That is a £1,733 shortfall. Most local households cannot buy the average property in their own postcode without a larger deposit or help.
The city centre tells a different story. B2 requires £37,000 income, but average household income there is £46,600. Local residents can comfortably afford to buy. Same pattern in B3 (needs £40,172, locals earn £46,600) and B1 (needs £42,959, locals earn £44,900).
For areas like B6 (Aston) and B8 (Saltley), the gap is severe. B6 needs £41,231 income but locals average just £30,800. That is a £10,431 shortfall. These are areas where owner occupation is genuinely out of reach for many residents, which explains the high proportion of renters.
What This Means for Buyers and Investors
For first time buyers, the city centre postcodes (B1, B2, B3) are surprisingly accessible if you work there and earn city centre wages. The challenge is finding houses rather than flats. If you are considering whether buy to let is worth it as your first property, these areas offer lower entry points than the suburbs.
For buy to let investors, the income gap in areas like B6, B8, and B10 signals strong rental demand. If locals cannot afford to buy, they rent. That is your tenant pool. These areas often deliver the highest yields precisely because owner occupation is unaffordable for residents.
Use our stamp duty calculator to work out your full purchase costs, and our rental yield calculator to see if the numbers stack up on any property you are considering.
Cheaper Alternatives in the West Midlands
If Birmingham's cheapest postcodes are still out of reach, the wider West Midlands offers genuine sub-£200k options with easy access to Birmingham for work. These areas have their own guides with full postcode breakdowns, but here is how they compare:
| Area | Avg Sold Price | vs Birmingham Avg | Transport to Birmingham |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stoke-on-Trent | £149,880 | 36% below | 47 mins by train |
| Walsall | £207,808 | 11% below | 20 mins by train |
| Wolverhampton | £211,420 | 10% below | 16 mins by train |
| Dudley | £225,785 | 4% below | 15 mins by train* |
The prices above are average sold prices across all property types. These towns regularly have terraced houses under £150,000, £125,000 and even £100,000, something that no longer exists in Birmingham's B postcodes. In Stoke, the average terraced house sells for just £127,164. In Wolverhampton it is £181,355 and in Walsall £183,435.
Stoke-on-Trent stands out at just £149,880 average, making it 36% cheaper than Birmingham. The trade off is the longer commute at 47 minutes by train, but for remote workers or those prioritising affordability over commute time, the savings are substantial. A 10% deposit in Stoke is £15,000 compared to £23,000 for Birmingham's 20th cheapest postcode.
Walsall and Wolverhampton offer the best of both worlds. Both are roughly 20 minutes from Birmingham New Street by train, with prices 10-11% below Birmingham's average. These are genuine commuter options where you can buy a terraced house for what a flat would cost in central Birmingham.
*Note on Dudley: The 15 minute train time is from Sandwell and Dudley station. Bus services from Dudley town centre typically take 45 to 60 minutes.
For first time buyers priced out of Birmingham, or investors seeking higher yields, these alternatives are worth exploring:
- Stoke-on-Trent buy to let guide
- Walsall buy to let guide
- Wolverhampton buy to let guide
- Dudley buy to let guide
The trade off is commute time and, in some areas, slower capital growth. But if your priority is getting on the ladder or maximising rental returns, the numbers often work better outside the city.
Data source: HM Land Registry, October 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do you need to earn to buy a house in Birmingham?
For Birmingham's cheapest area (B35 Castle Vale at £171,667), you need a household income of approximately £34,333 to qualify for a mortgage, assuming a 4.5x income multiple and a 10% deposit. For the Birmingham average price of £234,558, you would need around £46,900 household income. Property investors typically require a 25-30% deposit, meaning a £171,667 property needs £43,000-£51,500 upfront. The median household income in B35 is £32,600, which means even the cheapest areas require above average earnings or two incomes combined.
What is the average house price in Birmingham?
The average house price in Birmingham is £234,558 based on October 2025 Land Registry data. This varies significantly by property type: detached houses average £424,000, semi-detached £285,000, terraced £210,000, and flats £147,000. Birmingham's cheapest postcode (B35 Castle Vale) averages £171,667, while expensive areas like B93 (Knowle) and B94 (Solihull) exceed £600,000. For comparison, see Birmingham's most expensive streets.
Is it cheaper to live in Birmingham or Manchester?
Birmingham is slightly cheaper. Birmingham's average house price is £234,558 compared to Manchester's £249,608, making Birmingham roughly 6% more affordable. Birmingham's cheapest areas also undercut Manchester's: B35 (Castle Vale) averages £171,667 versus M11 (Clayton) at £203,630. However, Manchester's job market, particularly in tech and media, may justify the premium for some buyers. For detailed Manchester pricing, see our guide on the cheapest places to live in Manchester.
Are house prices falling in Birmingham?
Birmingham prices are broadly stable with localised variation. Some city centre apartment heavy postcodes (B1, B2, B3) have seen slight adjustments as the new build market settles. Suburban family areas like B35 (Castle Vale), B23 (Erdington), and B44 (Perry Barr) show resilient demand due to relative affordability and transport links. The cheapest areas covered in this guide have generally held value better than premium postcodes. For detailed market analysis, see our Birmingham buy to let investment guide.
Which parts of the West Midlands are cheapest?
Within Birmingham's B postcodes, B35 (Castle Vale) is cheapest at £171,667, followed by B2 (Birmingham City Centre) at £185,000 and B18 (Winson Green) at £190,327. Beyond the B postcode area, Stoke-on-Trent (£149,880), Walsall (£207,808), and Wolverhampton (£211,420) offer lower average prices with train connections to the city centre. These towns have terraced stock under £150,000 that no longer exists within Birmingham itself.