The average age of a first-time homebuyer in the UK has dropped over the past year — from 32 to 31 — according to new figures from TSB.

The bank analysed its third-quarter data and found that while London still has the oldest first-time buyers, averaging 33 years old, Scotland and Wales boast the youngest, both at an average age of 30.

A separate survey, commissioned by TSB and carried out by Censuswide in October, polled more than 1,000 people who bought their first home within the last five years. It found that 17% hope to pay off their mortgage completely before they turn 40 — and over half (57%) are actively trying to shorten their mortgage terms. Among those making extra payments, 43% said they overpay on a monthly basis.

How the numbers stack up

Here’s how the average age of first-time buyers compares across the UK, based on TSB’s data for the third quarter of 2024 and 2025:

Region           2024  2025

East Anglia      33      32 

East Midlands   31    32 

London            33   33 

North West       31    32 

North East         30    31

South East         33    32 

South West        31    32

Scotland            30    30 

Wales                30   30 

West Midlands    32    31 

While Londoners continue to face the highest average age when stepping onto the property ladder, the rest of the UK is showing signs of movement in the other direction — with more buyers managing to take the plunge a little earlier.