Comparison of UK House Price Indices
A side-by-side look at the key UK house price indices — their latest figures, coverage, and methodology.
Latest House Price Indices (by Source)
| Source | Period Covered | Average Price (£) | Monthly Change (%) | Quarterly Change (%) | Annual Change (%) | Release Link | Last Published | Next Published |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nationwide | January 2026 | £270,873 | +0.30% | +0.40% | +1.00% | View | 02 Feb 2026 | |
| Zoopla | December 2025 | £269,800 | - | - | +1.20% | View | 29 Jan 2026 | |
| Hometrack | December 2025 | - | - | - | +1.20% | View | 29 Jan 2026 | |
| UK HPI (Land Registry) | November 2025 | £271,188 | +0.30% | - | +2.50% | View | 21 Jan 2026 | 18 Feb 2026 |
| Rightmove | January 2026 | £368,031 | +2.80% | - | +0.50% | View | 19 Jan 2026 | 16 Feb 2026 |
| Halifax | December 2025 | £297,755 | -0.60% | +0.20% | +0.30% | View | 08 Jan 2026 | 06 Feb 2026 |
| Acadata | November 2025 | £352,498 | 0.00% | - | -4.00% | View | 01 Dec 2025 |
Overview of the Main UK House Price Indices
The United Kingdom has several major house price indices, each using different datasets and methodologies. Understanding their distinctions helps explain why reported figures may differ slightly between sources.
Land Registry (UK HPI)
The UK House Price Index (HPI) is the official government measure produced by HM Land Registry, the ONS and Land & Property Services. It is based on actual property transactions recorded at completion, making it the most comprehensive and reliable measure — though it is published with a lag of about six to eight weeks.
Halifax House Price Index
The Halifax Index is based on mortgage lending data from Halifax Bank, part of Lloyds Banking Group. It covers mortgaged properties only and reflects prices at the mortgage approval stage. It is one of the oldest and most widely cited private indices, offering good timeliness but a narrower sample than the official HPI.
Nationwide House Price Index
The Nationwide Index is also based on mortgage approvals, using data from Nationwide Building Society. Like Halifax, it excludes cash purchases and may underrepresent high-value properties. However, its consistent methodology and long history make it valuable for understanding trends over time.
Other Indices
Additional indices include:
- Rightmove — based on asking prices of properties listed on its portal.
- Zoopla — model-based estimate using listings and sales data.
- Acadata / E.Surv — combines completion data and valuation information.
- Hometrack — focuses on urban markets, often used for city-level analysis.
- RICS — a sentiment-based survey of chartered surveyors, not transactional data.
Summary Comparison
| Index | Data Source | Coverage | Lag | Strengths | Limitations |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK HPI | Land Registry transactions | All sales (England, Wales, Scotland, NI) | ~6–8 weeks | Comprehensive and official | Slow to publish |
| Halifax | Mortgage approvals (Halifax) | UK (mortgaged homes only) | ~1 week | Fast, consistent, historical data | Excludes cash buyers |
| Nationwide | Mortgage approvals (Nationwide) | UK (mortgaged homes only) | ~1 week | Timely and long-running series | Sample bias toward Nationwide customers |
| Rightmove | Asking prices | Listings on Rightmove | Daily | Earliest market signal | Not sale prices |
In summary, the UK HPI provides the most accurate picture of realised sale prices, while the Halifax and Nationwide indices offer early insight into short-term trends. Using them together gives a well-rounded view of the housing market.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Why do UK house price indices show different prices?
UK house price indices use different data sources and methodologies. The UK House Price Index is based on completed sales recorded by the Land Registry, while Halifax and Nationwide use mortgage approval data. This causes differences in timing, coverage, and reported prices.
Which house price index is the most accurate?
The UK House Price Index is generally considered the most accurate because it is based on completed transactions across the entire UK housing market, including cash purchases. However, it is published with a delay compared to lender-based indices.
Why is the UK House Price Index published later than others?
The UK House Price Index is published later because it relies on completed and registered property transactions. This process typically takes six to eight weeks, whereas mortgage approval data is available sooner.
Do Halifax and Nationwide indices include cash buyers?
No. Halifax and Nationwide indices are based on mortgage approvals only and therefore exclude cash buyers. This can lead to underrepresentation of higher-value properties.
Are asking price indices like Rightmove reliable?
Asking price indices such as Rightmove reflect seller expectations rather than achieved sale prices. They provide early market signals but should not be treated as measures of actual house price inflation.
Which house price index should I use?
The choice depends on your goal. UK HPI is best for accurate sale prices, Halifax and Nationwide are useful for timely trend analysis, and asking price indices provide early sentiment signals.
Which UK house price index is rising the fastest right now?
UK House Price Index (HPI) is currently showing the strongest annual growth at +2.5%, based on the latest available data.
When is the next UK house price data release?
The next scheduled release is from Halifax on 06 February 2026.
Are UK house prices rising or falling right now?
UK house prices are currently rising overall, with the majority of major indices reporting positive annual growth. Mortgage-based indices tend to show changes earlier, while the official UK House Price Index reflects completed sales.
Are house prices rising faster than inflation?
House prices are currently rising faster than inflation in nominal terms, meaning that average house prices are increasing more quickly than consumer prices. This indicates positive real house price growth.