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Property investment stats for Southend-on-Sea, East of England

A complete guide to property investment in Southend-on-Sea.

Last updated: 18 September 2025

Investment summary

Southend-on-Sea offers a blend of affordability and steady demand, making it a practical choice for property investors who value stability over rapid gains. The area’s housing market is supported by a relatively high proportion of private renters, sitting in the 79th percentile nationally, which helps underpin consistent rental demand. Sales activity is healthy, with 2,119 transactions over the past year and properties typically spending 58 days on the market. Investors will note the median price per square foot of £380 per sq ft, which is competitive for a coastal location with strong local amenities.

Image of Southend-on-Sea, East of England

Key investment stats for Southend-on-Sea

Median price per sq ft

£380 / sq ft

Average rental yield

5.6%

Capital growth (1y)

0.3%

Sales in past year

2,119

* Property stats calculated for last full calendar year (2024).

Live property stats in Southend-on-Sea

Live prices in Southend-on-Sea, East of England

* Extreme prices clipped for legibility

Properties for sale

Median price

£375,000

25% of properties below...

£240,000

75% of properties below...

£550,000

Most expensive property

£2,500,000

Live listings

1,803

Median days on market

58

Should you invest in Southend-on-Sea?

Opportunities

  • The average rental yield of 5.6% stands out for the region, and investors targeting the top-performing postcode district can achieve yields as high as 6.3%.
  • The current median asking rent for a 3-bedroom house is £1,750, indicating robust tenant demand for family homes.
  • A median discount of £5,000 (the typical achieved discount) suggests there is room for negotiation and potential value when purchasing.

Risks

  • Capital growth over the past year has only changed by 0.3%, which may not appeal to those seeking fast returns.
  • The price-to-income ratio of 6.3 is moderate, but investors should be mindful of affordability constraints for both buyers and renters.
  • The unemployment rate sits in the 70th percentile, which could influence long-term rental stability and income security.

Outlook

The outlook for Southend-on-Sea is mildly positive, with steady if unspectacular capital growth. Over three years, the area has seen capital values rise by 6.2%, which annualises to 2.0%, reflecting a market that moves gradually rather than in sharp bursts. Rental demand is expected to remain strong given the high proportion of private renters and the current asking rents for both houses and flats (£1,750 and £1,350 respectively).

Liquidity is reasonable, with properties typically selling in 58 days, and the possibility of negotiating below asking price adds to investor appeal. Given the balance of affordability, demand and a stable rental market, Southend-on-Sea should continue to offer solid, if unspectacular, returns for patient investors.

Live properties in Southend-on-Sea

Investment properties in Southend-on-Sea, East of England

2 bedroom apartment for sale
52% below median price

£90,000

2 bedroom apartment for sale

Carlton Avenue, Westcliff-on-Sea, E...

Properties needing refurbishment in Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Needs Refurb
1 bedroom retirement property for sale
61% below median price

£79,995

1 bedroom retirement property for sale

Rayleigh Road, Eastwood, Essex, SS9

Priced to sell properties in Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Priced to Sell
2 bedroom flat for sale
On market for 180 days

£150,000 - Guide Price

2 bedroom flat for sale

Lovelace Avenue, Southend-on-Sea

Slow to sell properties in Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Slow to Sell
2 bedroom apartment for sale
Reduced by 25%

£375,000 - Guide Price

2 bedroom apartment for sale

Luxury Development For The Over 60s...

Big price drop properties in Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Big Price Drop
5 bedroom house of multiple occupation for sale
High yield opportunity

£385,000

5 bedroom house of multiple occupation for sale

Southchurch Road, Southend-On-Sea, ...

HMO properties in Southend-on-Sea, East of England
HMO
5 bedroom detached house for sale
2,868 sq ft

£895,000 - Offers in Region of

5 bedroom detached house for sale

Malmsmead, Shoeburyness, SS3

Properties with planning granted in Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Planning Granted
6 bedroom detached house for sale
64% below median price

£650,000

6 bedroom detached house for sale

Park Avenue, Leigh-On-Sea

Low price-per-sq-ft properties in Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Low Price per Sq Ft
2 bedroom flat for sale
53% below median price

£120,000 - Guide Price

2 bedroom flat for sale

Chichester Road, Southend-on-Sea, E...

Auction properties in Southend-on-Sea, East of England
Auction

Achieved vs asking prices

Key takeaway: Balanced market

On average, properties sell slightly below asking; careful comp analysis is key.

Headline stats

• Median discount: £5,000

• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £10,000 below asking

• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £17,500 below asking

In percentage terms:

• Median discount of 1.2%

• 25% of properties discounted by > 2.9%

• 10% of properties discounted by > 4.7%

Best places to invest in Southend-on-Sea

Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth

Rank
Postcode
Yield
Capital growth
Median £/sq ft
1SS26.3%2.5%£346 / sq ft
2SS16.3%1.7%£362 / sq ft
3SS05.9%2.0%£349 / sq ft
4SS94.9%2.3%£435 / sq ft
5SS34.3%1.7%£374 / sq ft

Data sources

GeoGlider calculates property investment stats by blending official and proprietary datasets. Here's a quick overview of key sources and how we use them:

  • HM Land Registry: Property transaction and sold-price records for England & Wales used to calculate historical capital growth, price levels and comparables.

  • Office for National Statistics (ONS): Demographic and economic indicators for the UK, including Census 2021, supporting area profiling and market context.

  • Ordnance Survey: Authoritative UK geospatial data powering accurate boundaries, roads and terrain for mapping and spatial analysis.

  • GeoProp: Our proprietary AI pipeline that processes millions of property listings to extract rich features and live market signals.

  • Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities: Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) scores and property floor areas.

  • HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC): Household income and employment data to understand local affordability and economic conditions.

Data is updated continuously, matched across sources and rigorously validated.