Market outlook for M4
Key indicators for buyers
The M4 market is moderately favourable for buyers. Prices have softened (-19.8%), which could present a buying opportunity. Affordability has improved from a peak of 7.2x in 2021 to 6.1x today. Rising rents (£1,345/mo, +2.9%) mean the cost of waiting is real.
Price trends
Yearly averages · HM Land Registry Price Paid Data
Prices by property type
2026averages · HM Land Registry Price Paid Data
Affordability ratio
House price ÷ median earnings · ONS data
Affordability data shown for wider Manchester area
A home in Manchester costs 6.1x the local median salary — moderate, improving from a peak of 7.2x in 2021.
Rental trends
Average monthly rent · ONS Private Rental Index
Rental data shown for wider Manchester area
Average monthly rent in Manchester is £1,345, up 2.9% year-on-year. Rents have risen consistently over the past five years.
Monthly mortgage
2yr fixed · 75% LTV · 25yr term · BoE avg. rate
Based on the average Manchester price of £218,333 with a 25% deposit (£55k), a 2-year fixed mortgage at 3.97% costs around £862 per month.
Rent vs buy snapshot
Monthly cost comparison based on current data
Uses M4 avg. price with Manchester rental data
Monthly mortgage payments (£862) are £483 less than renting (£1,345). However, buying requires an upfront deposit of £55k — it would take around 5 years to recoup that cost compared to renting and investing the difference.
Recent sales
Latest transactions · HM Land Registry Price Paid Data
| Address | Type | Price | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
27, WOODWARD STREET M4 7BQ | Flat/Maisonette | £370,000 | 22 Jan 2026 |
APARTMENT 21, CONNECT HOUSE, 1, HENRY STREET M4 5DA | Flat/Maisonette | £145,000 | 20 Jan 2026 |
APARTMENT 1304, CYPRESS PLACE, 9, NEW CENTURY PARK M4 4EH | Flat/Maisonette | £230,000 | 16 Jan 2026 |
APARTMENT 41, 1, ISAAC WAY M4 7ED | Flat/Maisonette | £180,000 | 12 Jan 2026 |
FLAT 612, 22, LOOM STREET M4 6AN | Flat/Maisonette | £190,000 | 7 Jan 2026 |
APARTMENT 24, BLOCK C, 12, POLLARD STREET M4 7AL | Flat/Maisonette | £195,000 | 6 Jan 2026 |
APARTMENT PM 304, PARAGON MILL, 4, COTTON STREET |
Data sources (all free & public): HM Land Registry Price Paid Data & UK House Price Index · ONS Housing Affordability Ratios · ONS Private Rental Index · Bank of England Quoted Household Interest Rates · HMRC Monthly Property Transactions
Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right 2021. This data is licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.