Property website Rightmove has conducted an analysis of 60 major urban locations across Britain to identify the most and least expensive cities for first-time homebuyers. London has emerged

as the most expensive city for aspiring first-time buyers, while Bradford in Yorkshire has been identified as the most affordable city for those seeking to step onto the property ladder.

The research by Rightmove examined average asking prices for typical homes suitable for first-time buyers with a maximum of two bedrooms. The data assumed that first-time buyers would have a 10% deposit and a mortgage term of 25 years.

According to the findings, the average asking price for a typical first-time buyer home in London is now £508,879, resulting in monthly mortgage payments of £2,533. In contrast, Bradford offers more affordable options, with an average asking price of £104,643 and monthly mortgage payments of around £521 for a similarly sized home. Carlisle in Cumbria was identified as the second cheapest city, with an average monthly mortgage payment of £522.

St Albans in Hertfordshire emerged as the second most expensive city for first-time buyers, with average monthly mortgage payments of approximately £1,958. The city, known for its leafy surroundings and commuter-friendly train links to London, is popular among families.

The research indicates that paying a monthly mortgage with a 10% deposit is more economical than renting in around half of the cities analyzed. This figure rises to two-thirds of cities if buyers are able to raise a larger deposit closer to 15% of the property's purchase price.

The findings from Rightmove also revealed that first-time buyers in Glasgow could potentially save the most in monthly cash terms by entering the property market, as the average monthly mortgage payment for a first home is £215 less than the average rent. Conversely, first-time buyers in St Albans could end up paying £525 more per month compared to when they were renting.

Rightmove's property expert, Tim Bannister, highlighted that despite record prices and rising mortgage rates, it is still more cost-effective for many first-time buyers to pay off a mortgage than to pay equivalent monthly rents. He noted the competitive and dynamic nature of the rental market, which has driven determined first-time buyers to enter the property market despite prevailing economic challenges. Bannister also mentioned a trend of buyers returning to cities while a growing number of renters are seeking to relocate. The top five cheapest cities for first-time buyers:  Bradford (Average asking price for a first-time buyer home -£104,643), Carlisle (£104,784),  Aberdeen (£106,088),  Hull (£106,939), Dundee (£111,415). The top five most expensive cities for first-time buyers: London (£508,879), St Albans (£393,485), Bath (£354,636), Cambridge (£354,181), Oxford (£351,943).