According to Halifax Estate Agents, properties in Brighton have experienced the largest gain in prices per square metre over the last ten years when compared to other cities.

The price has increased by 280% since 1996 and now boasts an average price of £2,559sqm. Truro in Cornwall has the second largest gain of 270%, followed by London at 245%. However, London is still the most expensive city in which to buy property, with an average price of £3,883sqm in 2006. This is a 14% increase on the previous year’s figure of £3,395.

Interestingly, ten years ago, St Albans was the most expensive city to buy property costing £1,436sqm, compared with £1,097sqm for London. Now St Albans is ranked third with an average price of £2,903sqm, behind Oxford at £3,010sqm.
Martin Ellis, chief economist at Halifax, said: “Over the past ten years Brighton has seen the fastest increase in price per square metre, with a gain of 280%. Properties in the city now cost £2,559 per square metre, compared with £673 ten years ago.”