Londoners Are Buying Fewer Homes Outside the Capital: Lowest Share Since 2013
The UK property market is seeing a clear shift in buyer behaviour, particularly among London residents. The proportion of London-based buyers purchasing homes outside the capital has fallen to its lowest level since 2013, signalling a return to city-centred demand and changing patterns in regional housing markets.
According to Hamptons, only 5.7% of all homes sold outside the capital in 2024 were bought by Londoners, the lowest share since 2013. That amounted to 57,020 transactions, a 45% drop from the 2021 peak.
Why Londoners Are Staying Local
Several factors are influencing this trend:
Return to office-based work: With more companies requiring staff to spend time in central London offices, buyers are prioritising proximity to workplaces.
Economic uncertainty: Many buyers are delaying relocation decisions or choosing to remain within familiar areas amid wider economic caution.
Lifestyle and commuting considerations: Proximity to schools, amenities, and social networks continues to heavily influence buyer decisions, keeping demand concentrated in and around London.
According to Hamptons, first-time buyers made up a record 31% of Londoners relocating outside the capital in 2024, more than double their share in 2013.
Impact on Regional Markets
The reduced proportion of Londoners buying outside the capital is affecting regional property dynamics:
Some previously popular commuter towns are experiencing slower growth in demand from London buyers.
Areas within easier commuting distance of London remain in demand, but the rate of new buyers from the capital has fallen to levels not seen since 2013.
According to Hamptons, the average distance moved by Londoners leaving the city was 33.1 miles, which is 19% farther than the pre-COVID average.
While regional house prices continue to vary by location, the decreased share of London buyers is creating a more stable pace of transactions in certain markets. According to Hamptons, over the last decade, house prices outside London have risen ~39%, compared with ~26% in London, reducing some of the financial incentive to relocate.
Why This Trend Matters
1. Regional Housing Demand
With fewer London buyers moving outward, certain commuter towns and regional areas are experiencing more balanced markets, potentially slowing previously rapid price growth.
2. London Market Resilience
More buyers staying local keeps demand within the capital. This concentration may help support price stability in central and suburban London, even as affordability challenges persist.
3. Buyer Priorities Are Shifting
The trend highlights how location preferences are influenced by commuting requirements, lifestyle choices, and access to urban amenities. Londoners are increasingly factoring these considerations into their purchase decisions.
According to Hamptons, in the first seven months of 2025, Londoners purchased only 31,620 homes outside the capital, around half the number seen in the same period in 2021.
Additionally, house prices outside the capital rose by 26% in the past five years, while prices in London increased by only 8% over the same period, narrowing the financial gap that once encouraged out-migration.
Final Thoughts
The proportion of Londoners purchasing homes outside the capital is now at its lowest level since 2013. Factors such as the return to office-based work, economic caution, lifestyle preferences, and the relative pace of price growth outside London are driving this shift.
For buyers and investors, understanding these patterns — and the data behind them — is crucial for making informed, data-driven property decisions in today’s UK market.