What Are The Most Affordable Places to Live in Nottingham?

Getting onto the property ladder in Nottingham can be tough, with prices differing widely depending on where you look.

Some areas sit well above the city average, while others remain within reach for first-time buyers.

According to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), correct as of 27th August 2025, the average house price in Nottingham is around £191,000, with first-time buyers typically paying closer to £175,000.

Using recent data from Rightmove, we’ve highlighted some of the more affordable parts of Nottingham and surrounding areas where you might get better value for your money.

From suburban pockets with traditional terraces to areas seeing newer developments, these are the places where first-time buyers are still finding opportunities.

1. Sherwood

Property Prices in Sherwood

The average property price in Sherwood is around £244,998, above the citywide average but still competitive for first-time buyers looking outside the centre.

What Will a Deposit Look Like? 

A 5% deposit here would be about £12,250. At 10%, that rises to around £24,500, while a 15% deposit would sit close to £36,750.

Types of Homes You’ll Find 

Sherwood is a popular suburb thanks to its stock of bay-fronted Victorian and Edwardian terraces, which often offer bigger rooms and gardens than city-centre flats.

Many have been modernised, pushing them higher than the area’s average, while those in need of work remain more affordable.

Semi-detached houses built between the 1930s and 1960s are common too, often priced mid-range for the area.

There are also some newer apartments and smaller developments appearing along main routes, which tend to command higher asking prices due to modern layouts and better efficiency ratings.

First-time buyers often find the best value in older terraces, though these may require improvements that could influence mortgage lending.

Thinking About Buying in Sherwood? 

Sherwood gives first-time buyers access to characterful housing at prices that are more manageable than some other suburbs.

If you’re weighing up this area, our mortgage advisors in Nottingham can help you work out how much you could borrow, how different deposit levels affect affordability, and what lenders might look for with older versus newer properties.

2. Mapperley

Property Prices in Mapperley

Mapperley’s average property price is around £254,702, making it one of the more expensive areas on this list, though still with pockets of affordability.

What Will a Deposit Look Like? 

At this average, a 5% deposit works out at roughly £12,735. A 10% deposit would be about £25,470, and 15% would take you to around £38,205.

Type of Homes You’ll Find 

Mapperley has a reputation for larger properties, with lots of mid-20th-century semis and detached homes lining its streets.

These often sit higher than the average, especially if they’ve been extended, but more modest two-bed terraces can still be found and typically come in below the area average.

First-time buyers are also drawn to more modern developments around Mapperley Plains, where new-build semis and townhouses are priced competitively but often carry the new-build premium.

Renovation opportunities in the older stock provide another entry point, though you may need a lender comfortable with homes needing improvement.

Thinking About Buying in Mapperley? 

If you’re considering Mapperley, our mortgage advisors in Nottingham can help you understand what deposit level might make the difference between a terrace and a semi, and which mortgage products could suit the type of home you’re drawn to.

3. Nottingham City Centre

Property Prices in Nottingham City Centre

The city centre offers some of the most affordable housing in Nottingham, with an average price of around £164,423.

What Will a Deposit Look Like? 

A 5% deposit would be around £8,220. A 10% deposit would bring you to about £16,440, while a 15% deposit would total roughly £24,660.

Type of Homes You’ll Find 

Apartments dominate the city centre, ranging from purpose-built blocks with modern facilities to converted Victorian warehouses.

Many of the lower-priced flats are compact one-beds or studios, ideal for affordability but potentially more restrictive for mortgage lending, especially on shorter leases.

Higher-end new-build towers are also on the rise, often sitting well above the average price.

These can attract first-time buyers wanting something move-in ready, though the price-to-space ratio tends to be less favourable compared with suburban areas.

Thinking About Buying in Nottingham City Centre?

If you’re looking at apartments in the city centre, our mortgage advisors in Nottingham can help you identify which lenders are more open to leasehold and new-build properties, and explain how this might impact the size of mortgage you can secure.

4. Calverton

Property Prices in Calverton

Calverton averages around £275,404, making it the most expensive area on this list, but with plenty of family homes that appeal to buyers planning to stay long-term.

What Will a Deposit Look Like? 

A 5% deposit would be about £13,770, while a 10% deposit would total £27,540. Stretching to 15% would mean setting aside approximately £41,310.

Type of Homes You’ll find 

Calverton is a village with a strong supply of post-war semis and detached homes, many with large gardens and garages.

These larger houses push the average up, though smaller two-bed terraces closer to the centre can still be more affordable.

Several new-build estates on the edge of Calverton have lifted prices in recent years, but they remain attractive for buyers who want modern features and energy efficiency.

Renovation opportunities do exist in older stock, although buyers will need to be prepared for the additional work and potential mortgage restrictions.

Thinking About Buying in Calverton? 

If Calverton is where you’re looking, our mortgage advisors in Nottingham can outline how different types of homes could influence the mortgage options available to you and what deposit level could give you more flexibility.

5. Arnold

Property Prices in Arnold

Arnold averages around £239,193, keeping it below several other suburbs and offering strong value for first-time buyers.

What Will a Deposit Look Like? 

A 5% deposit here would be about £11,960. At 10%, it rises to £23,920, while a 15% deposit would total roughly £35,880.

Type of Homes You’ll find 

Arnold has a wide range of traditional red-brick terraces and post-war semis, many of which are priced well within first-time buyer budgets.

The terraces closer to the town centre often represent the most affordable route, while larger detached homes on the outskirts tend to sell well above the average.

The area also has some new developments offering modern layouts and improved efficiency. These come with higher prices but appeal to those who prefer a home that needs no updating.

For buyers on tighter budgets, terraces and older semis remain the strongest option.

Thinking About Buying in Arnold? 

If Arnold is high on your list, our mortgage advisors in Nottingham can help you explore what types of properties most suitable fit your budget and which lenders are most likely to support your purchase.

6. Lenton

Property Prices in Lenton

Lenton sits at an average price of around £267,357, reflecting its popularity with both buyers and investors due to its proximity to the city and university.

What Will a Deposit Look Like? 

A 5% deposit would be around £13,370. A 10% deposit would bring that to about £26,735, while a 15% deposit would be close to £40,100.

Type of Homes You’ll find 

Lenton has a strong stock of Victorian terraces, many converted for student rentals.

While these can be more complicated for mortgages, standard family terraces are still available and often sit just below the average.

Smaller flats and maisonettes represent the more affordable end of the market, while detached homes and larger semis drive prices higher.

The mix of rental demand and family housing means Lenton can vary a lot in terms of asking prices, so first-time buyers may need to be flexible.

Renovated terraces can be expensive, while those needing work may provide a more affordable entry point.

Thinking About Buying in Lenton?

If you’re considering Lenton, our mortgage advisors in Nottingham can help you understand how properties in mixed-use rental markets are viewed by lenders and what this means for your affordability.

Looking Beyond the Average Figures

Nottingham offers a broad spectrum of property choices, from low-cost city-centre apartments to suburban terraces and family homes in surrounding villages.

Average prices are a helpful guide, but what matters most is how your personal circumstances match up with the property you want to buy.

Factors like your deposit size, income, credit history, and even the age or type of home can all influence which lenders are open to you.

That’s why it’s worth looking beyond the headline averages to focus on what you can realistically afford.

If you’re starting to explore your options, our mortgage advisors in Nottingham can show you what your budget could achieve in different parts of the city and help you take the next step towards owning your first home.

Date Last Edited: August 29, 2025