Brighton sellers are asking the same question: why isn't anyone buying? The official figures explain a lot of it: Brighton prices are slipping, flats are falling fastest, and even rents are going down while the rest of the South East goes up. Here's what the numbers say, and what they mean if you own a home here.
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Key takeaways
- The average Brighton and Hove price is £409,000, down 1.1% over the year.
- Flats fell 3.1%, the biggest drop of any property type.
- First-time buyers paid £344,000 on average, and home movers £500,000.
- Brighton rents fell 1.2% to £1,808, while South East rents rose 3.0%.
- Only 56% of South East homes for sale are finding a buyer.
Contents
What's happening to Brighton house prices?
They're edging down. The ONS puts the average Brighton and Hove price at £409,000 in July 2026, down 1.1% from July 2025. Across the South East, prices were flat over the same period.
Which homes are losing value?
Flats. The ONS shows flat prices in Brighton and Hove fell 3.1% over the year, while semi-detached homes held their value. Average prices by type in July 2026:
| Type | Average price |
|---|---|
| Detached | £858,000 |
| Semi-detached | £550,000 |
| Terraced | £476,000 |
| Flats and maisonettes | £296,000 |
Source: ONS, UK House Price Index.
Who is buying in Brighton?
First-time buyers paid an average of £344,000 in July 2026, 1.3% less than a year earlier. Home movers paid an average of £500,000.
Are expensive homes sitting on the market?
The official figures don't measure how long homes take to sell by price, so we can't give you a number. They do show why larger homes are harder to sell. Rightmove calculates that a couple on average earnings, borrowing 4.5 times their salaries, can borrow about £353,808, well short of a £550,000 semi or an £858,000 detached house. Those homes rely on buyers with equity from a sale of their own. Across the South East, only 56% of homes for sale are finding a buyer, and they take an average of 72 days to do it.
What's happening to Brighton rents?
They're falling. The ONS shows the average Brighton and Hove rent at £1,808 in August 2026, down 1.2% over the year, while South East rents rose 3.0%. Average rents by size:
| Size | Average rent |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | £1,189 |
| 2 bedrooms | £1,518 |
| 3 bedrooms | £1,797 |
| 4 or more bedrooms | £2,478 |
What does this mean for Brighton landlords?
- Selling a flat means selling into falling prices, with a first-time buyer pool stretched by mortgage rates.
- Letting to a tenant now earns less, with Brighton rents falling while the rest of the South East rises.
- Short lets follow different demand. Visitors, events and business travel don't track the sales market. See how much you can earn from a short let in Brighton.
See what your Brighton home could earn
Before you drop the price or re-let at a lower rent, see what your home could earn as a short or medium-term let. Get your free valuation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the average house price in Brighton?
£409,000 in July 2026, down 1.1% on a year earlier, according to the ONS.
Are Brighton house prices falling?
Slightly. Prices fell 1.1% over the year, and flats fell 3.1%.
What do first-time buyers pay in Brighton?
An average of £344,000 in July 2026, according to the ONS. Home movers paid an average of £500,000.
What is the average rent in Brighton?
£1,808 a month in August 2026, down 1.2% over the year, according to the ONS.
How long do homes take to sell in the South East?
An average of 72 days to find a buyer, with 56% of homes for sale finding one, according to Rightmove.
Related guides
Sources
This is general information, not legal, financial, tax or insurance advice. Market figures are averages as of the date shown above and change every month. Speak to a qualified professional before you act on anything here.