Blackpool tops North West for affordable first homes
For first-time buyers in the North West, getting on the property ladder can feel like a steep climb, but some towns make it far more achievable than others.
While high-end commuter hubs in Cheshire, such as Altrincham and Wilmslow, require two decades of disciplined saving for a deposit, Blackpool offers a much faster route into homeownership.
New analysis from Pepper Money reveals how long it takes to save for a 15% deposit across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and the wider North West, highlighting the areas where first-time buyers face the biggest challenges and the towns where opportunities remain within reach.
Why Blackpool Offers a Faster Route onto the Property Ladder
At the more affordable end of the spectrum, Blackpool leads the North West. With an average property price of £130,280, first-time buyers could save a 15% deposit in just 6 years, far below the national average of 11 years.
Other affordable northern towns include St Helens (7 years) and Liverpool, Bolton, and Preston (8–9 years). These areas provide a realistic route onto the property ladder for buyers priced out of high-demand commuter towns.
| Location | Avg. House Price | Deposit (15%) | Median Salary | Years to Save |
| Blackpool | £130,280 | £19,542 | £31,096 | 6 |
| St Helens | £169,000 | £25,350 | £34,478 | 7 |
| Liverpool | £181,809 | £27,271 | £34,892 | 8 |
| Bolton | £194,000 | £29,100 | £33,575 | 9 |
| Preston | £177,778 | £26,667 | £29,380 | 9 |
Cheshire Commuter Towns Demand Two Decades of Saving
At the other extreme, the Cheshire commuter belt remains among the toughest places in the North West for first-time buyers.
- Altrincham: £543,385 average home; 21 years to save a 15% deposit
- Wilmslow: £510,057 average home; 20 years to save
These towns attract high-earning professionals, pushing local affordability out of reach and making Cheshire one of the least accessible areas outside London.
| Location | Avg. House Price | Deposit (15%) | Median Salary | Annual Saving (10%) | Years to Save |
| Altrincham | £543,385 | £81,508 | £39,246 | £3,925 | 21 |
| Wilmslow | £510,057 | £76,509 | £37,473 | £3,747 | 20 |
Greater Manchester & Cheshire East: Middle-Ground Options
For buyers in Greater Manchester and Cheshire East, property prices are lower but still above the national average.
- Glossop: 13 years to save
- Stockport and Macclesfield: 12 years
- Manchester (city) and Warrington: 10 years
These locations offer a compromise between high-cost Cheshire towns and the more affordable northern hubs.
| Location | Avg. House Price | Deposit (15%) | Median Salary | Years to Save |
| Glossop | £304,555 | £45,683 | £34,215 | 13 |
| Stockport | £307,000 | £46,050 | £37,479 | 12 |
| Macclesfield | £294,721 | £44,208 | £37,473 | 12 |
| Warrington | £254,000 | £38,100 | £37,387 | 10 |
| Manchester | £249,231 | £37,385 | £36,764 | 10 |
How Long Does It Take to Save a Deposit?
Across the UK in 2025, the average property price is £269,735, with a median salary of £35,464. First-time buyers saving 10% of their income would need over 11 years to put together a 15% deposit.
This widening gap between wages and house prices shows why stepping onto the property ladder has become increasingly challenging even for disciplined savers.
Navigating the Deposit Challenge
Saving for a first home can feel daunting, particularly in high-cost areas like Cheshire. Pepper Money helps first-time buyers across the North West with flexible mortgage solutions and independent advice, making homeownership achievable sooner—whether in Blackpool, Manchester, or Warrington.
Methodology:
Data was collected from 100 UK areas (UK Land Registry, July 2025). Average property prices were combined with local median salaries (ONS) and realistic annual savings (9.9% of income, Aldermore Bank survey) to estimate the years needed to save for a 15% deposit.