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Property investment stats for Southwark, South East London

A complete guide to property investment in Southwark.

Last updated: 18 September 2025

Investment summary

Southwark offers a unique blend of urban vibrancy and residential appeal, with a rental market that stands out in London’s landscape. The area is marked by a high proportion of private renters and a notably young, highly educated population, making it a hub for professionals and students alike. While the owner-occupation rate is among the lowest in the country, the private and social rented sectors are both exceptionally strong.

Despite its popularity, recent capital growth has changed by -10.9% over one year and by -9.3% over three years, with an annualised change of -3.2%. Liquidity remains reasonable, with typical properties spending 65 days on the market and annual sales at 409.

Image of Southwark, South East London

Key investment stats for Southwark

Median price per sq ft

£853 / sq ft

Average rental yield

5.4%

Capital growth (1y)

-10.9%

Sales in past year

409

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

Live property stats in Southwark

Live prices in Southwark, South East London

* Extreme prices clipped for legibility

Properties for sale

Median price

£750,000

25% of properties below...

£525,000

75% of properties below...

£1,130,000

Most expensive property

£11,250,000

Live listings

605

Median days on market

65

Should you invest in Southwark?

Opportunities

  • Rental yields are robust for London, with an average of 5.4% and the top-performing district delivering 5.3%.
  • The area’s student and young professional populations are both in the 99th percentile nationally, providing steady rental demand.
  • High asking rents — £5,374 for a 3-bedroom house and £3,596 for a 2-bedroom flat — reflect strong tenant appetite and support investor returns.

Risks

  • Capital values have changed by -10.9% over the past year and -9.3% over three years, which may concern investors seeking short-term appreciation.
  • Affordability is stretched, with a price-to-income ratio of 9.1 and a rent-to-income ratio of 52.8%, potentially limiting future price growth.
  • The median achieved price is £15,000 (the typical achieved discount) below asking, suggesting buyers have room to negotiate and sellers may need to temper expectations.

Outlook

Southwark’s fundamentals — especially its youthful, mobile population and dominance of private renting — should continue to underpin strong rental demand. The area’s high asking rents and solid yields offer reassurance for investors focused on income rather than capital growth.

While recent years have seen capital values change by -9.3%, the long-term appeal of London’s stability and tenant demand remains intact. Investors should be prepared for a competitive market where price growth may be subdued, but rental liquidity and occupancy look set to stay robust. Overall, Southwark remains an attractive choice for those who prioritise reliable rental returns and long-term urban resilience.

Live properties in Southwark

Investment properties in Southwark, South East London

2 bedroom apartment for sale
30% below median price

£700,000 - Offers in Excess of

2 bedroom apartment for sale

Upper Ground, London, SE1

Properties needing refurbishment in Southwark, South East London
Needs Refurb
1 bedroom flat for sale
On market for 178 days

£325,000

1 bedroom flat for sale

Empire Square West, London Bridge

Slow to sell properties in Southwark, South East London
Slow to Sell
4 bedroom penthouse for sale
Reduced by 20%

£1,000,000 - Offers Over

4 bedroom penthouse for sale

Metro Central Heights, 119 Newingto...

Big price drop properties in Southwark, South East London
Big Price Drop
Hotel room for sale
59% below median price

£128,000

Hotel room for sale

Bartholomew Street, London, SE1

Low price-per-sq-ft properties in Southwark, South East London
Low Price per Sq Ft

Achieved vs asking prices

Key takeaway: Balanced market

Buyers have some negotiation leverage, but not much.

Headline stats

• Median discount: £15,000

• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £25,000 below asking

• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £44,750 below asking

In percentage terms:

• Median discount of 2.4%

• 25% of properties discounted by > 4.6%

• 10% of properties discounted by > 6.6%

Best places to invest in Southwark

Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth

Rank
Postcode
Yield
Capital growth
Median £/sq ft
1SE15.3%-2.0%£846 / sq ft
2WC2R3.1%--
3EC4R---
4EC4V---

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.