Derry and Strabane recorded one of the highest rates of house price growth over the past quarter with the average cost of a home rising by 4.2 per cent (£8,551) from £203,962 to £212,513.

The average price of a house in Derry/Strabane is now higher than in Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon (£210,390) and Mid & East Antrim (£212,032).

The latest NI Quarterly House Price Index for Q2 2026 shows Mid Ulster experienced the strongest increase at 5.1 per cent, followed by Mid & East Antrim (4.4 per cent) and Derry City & Strabane (4.2 per cent).

Belfast and Lisburn & Castlereagh both recorded growth of 3.1 per cent. While modest declines in Causeway Coast & Glens (-1.5 per cent) and Fermanagh & Omagh (-2 per cent), reflected local market adjustments rather than signs of broader market weakness.

Derry and Strabane recorded one of the highest rates of house price growth over the past quarter with the average cost of a home rising by 4.2 per cent (£8,551) from £203,962 to £212,513.

placeholder image — Derry and Strabane recorded one of the highest rates of house price growth over the past quarter with the average cost of a home rising by 4.2 per cent (£8,551) from £203,962 to £212,513.

It follows a historic Q1 2026 when the average price of a house in Derry/Strabane rose to £203,962 – exceeding the £200,000 benchmark for the first time since the financial crash of 2008.

Over the past five years the cost of a home in Derry has risen by a staggering £88,988 (72 per cent) from £123,525 in Q2 2021.

The index was produced by Ulster University in partnership with the NI Housing Executive and Progressive Building Society.

Across the North average house prices increased by 2.9 per cent over the quarter and a weighed 6.6 per cent increase compared with the same period last year (Q2 2025).

Dr. Michael McCord, reader in valuation, investment and finance at Ulster University, and lead researcher, stated: “The second quarter of 2026 points to a housing market that remains resilient, with sustained buyer demand continuing to support stable price growth.

"The average transaction price increased to £229,462, with the weighted index recording growth of 2.9 per cent over the quarter and 6.6 per cent annually. While demand and market confidence remain positive, buyers are increasingly affordability-conscious and price-sensitive, meaning that realistically priced and well-presented properties continue to perform most strongly.

“The central challenge facing the market remains the imbalance between housing demand and available supply, alongside continued pressures around borrowing and deposit affordability.

"We are also seeing growing concern from agents about the efficiency of the conveyancing process, where lengthy completion times can constrain transactions and contribute to sales falling through.

"Looking ahead, the underlying fundamentals suggest that the market should remain resilient, but we expect price growth to continue at a relatively stable and sustainable pace.”

Ursula McAnulty, Head of Research at the Housing Executive, which commissions the analysis, said: “The optimism displayed in the housing market in NI in Q1 2026 continued into Q2, with house prices recording a quarterly increase of 2.9 per cent to £229,462.

"The annual price statistics also showed a weighted increase, of 6.6 per cent, in comparison to Q2 2025. This consistency in house prices reflects strong underpinning market demand and a stable macroeconomic and mortgage interest rate environment.”

Michael Boyd, Chief Executive of Progressive Building Society, said: “The NI housing market remained resilient in the second quarter, with prices rising across all major property types and demand holding firm in most regions. Buyers are becoming more considered, however, and affordability, realistic pricing and value are playing a greater role in their decisions."