Property investment stats for Bristol, South West

• The city’s high student population (in the 95th percentile) and a large cohort of young professionals (in the 71st percentile) create consistent rental demand, supporting average rental yields of 5.8%.
• Properties in the top-yielding postcode district (BS2) achieve even higher rental yields of 7.0%, which may appeal to yield-focused investors.
• With properties selling at a median discount of £0 (the typical achieved discount), sellers are achieving or even exceeding their asking prices, suggesting strong buyer competition.

• Affordability remains a concern, as reflected by a price-to-income ratio of 5.8 and a rent-to-income ratio of 27.7%, which could limit future price growth or rental increases.
• The city’s private rented sector is already in the 81st percentile, indicating that supply may be high and competition for tenants could increase if more landlords enter the market.
• The population aged 60 and over is in the 15th percentile, so the city’s appeal may be narrower for those seeking long-term, older tenants or buyers.

Bristol’s property market is likely to remain lively over the next year, helped by a combination of strong demand from students and young professionals and a relatively quick average time to sell. The annualised growth over three years of 3.7% and recent 1-year capital growth of 1.3% suggest steady, if not spectacular, capital appreciation. Rental yields are robust by national standards, and the city’s top-performing districts offer even better returns for those willing to target specific areas.

Affordability pressures could temper price growth, but so far, high demand and limited supply have kept the market moving. Investors looking for liquidity and consistent tenant demand will find Bristol’s fundamentals appealing, especially given the ongoing strength in the private rental sector. The next 12 months are likely to see more of the same: strong competition, good rental returns, and a market that rewards well-chosen investments.