Wales Property Market: Regional Analysis & County Comparison, Q3 2026 Review

The Wales region encompasses 5 counties, recording a combined 36,436 residential transactions in the 12 months to 30 June 2026. The regional median property price stands at £190,000, with prices rising by 1.4% year-on-year.

On a quarterly view, Wales median prices moved from £189,193 in Q4 2024 to £190,847 in Q1 2026, a change of +0.9% over 5 quarters. The most recent quarter is excluded because HM Land Registry registrations for it are still incomplete.

Local planning authorities across the region approved 113 residential applications and refused 49 in Q3 2026 (1 July to 30 September 2026), a decision-weighted approval rate of 70%. A further 2 residential decisions have no recorded outcome in the source data and are not counted. Planning figures come from local planning authority records compiled by Landstack, retrieved on 3 October 2026. Councils and Landstack can take several days to publish decisions, so decisions made in the final days of Q3 2026 may not all be included yet.

HM Land Registry has so far registered 373 new-build sales across the region for the past 12 months. Registrations lag completions by 6 to 18 months, so this is not a completions figure.

The table below compares all 5 counties in the Wales region, ranked by median property price. Click any county name for the full market report.

Property prices across Wales vary significantly. Cardiff commands the highest median price at £267,500, while Swansea offers the most affordable entry at £158,000 — a spread of £110k.

This price differential creates opportunities across the risk-return spectrum. Premium locations offer higher GDVs but require larger capital commitments, while more affordable areas can deliver stronger percentage returns on lower absolute investment.

Measured by residential planning approvals in Q3 2026 (1 July to 30 September 2026), the most active counties in Wales are Cardiff (44 approved, 72% approval rate), Swansea (32 approved, 70% approval rate), Newport (18 approved, 55% approval rate).

By total transaction volume, an indicator of market liquidity and exit confidence, Cardiff (31,170 sales), Swansea (2,026 sales), Newport (1,168 sales) lead the region.

Developers entering the Wales market should weigh these two metrics together: approvals show where consent is being granted, while transaction volume confirms buyer demand.

Development finance across Wales varies by location and scheme size. In premium areas like Cardiff, typical scheme GDVs support larger facilities, while more affordable counties may suit developers using bridging finance for refurbishment-led strategies.

Senior development finance is available from 6.5% p.a. at up to 65-70% LTGDV, with mezzanine finance stretching total borrowing to 85-90% of costs. For developers building across multiple sites in the region, portfolio-level facilities can offer better terms.

Construction Capital sources terms from 100+ lenders across the Wales region. Submit your scheme through our deal room for indicative terms within 24 hours.