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Property investment stats for Swiss Cottage, North West London

A complete guide to property investment in Swiss Cottage.

Last updated: 18 September 2025

Investment summary

Swiss Cottage is a magnet for highly educated professionals, with the local population sitting in the very top percentiles for both degree-holders and those in professional or managerial roles. The area is also packed with young adults and single occupiers, which helps drive robust rental demand. The private rented sector dominates here, and the market is highly liquid, with homes spending a median of 65 days before sale. The price-to-income ratio of 10.4 and the rent-to-income ratio of 43.1% may seem steep, but this is par for the course in this part of London.

Asking prices reflect the area’s status, with a median price per square foot of £1,044 per sq ft, and three-bedroom houses and two-bedroom flats at £2,350,000 and £850,000, respectively. Investors should note that the annualised capital growth over three years is a moderate 0.6%, with a one-year growth of 0.7%.

Image of Swiss Cottage, North West London

Key investment stats for Swiss Cottage

Median price per sq ft

£1,044 / sq ft

Average rental yield

4.4%

Capital growth (1y)

0.7%

Sales in past year

533

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

Live property stats in Swiss Cottage

Live prices in Swiss Cottage, North West London

* Extreme prices clipped for legibility

Properties for sale

Median price

£999,950

25% of properties below...

£650,000

75% of properties below...

£1,700,000

Most expensive property

£49,950,000

Live listings

646

Median days on market

65

Should you invest in Swiss Cottage?

Opportunities

  • Rental yields are competitive for London, with an average of 4.4% and the top postcode district achieving 4.9%.
  • The area’s high proportion of young professionals and single occupiers ensures a deep pool of tenants and ongoing rental demand.
  • Liquidity is strong, with a median time on market of 65 days, making it easier to exit investments compared to less active areas.

Risks

  • Affordability remains a challenge, with a price-to-income ratio of 10.4 and a rent-to-income ratio of 43.1%, which could limit future price growth.
  • The market is skewed towards renters, with owner-occupiers only in the 8th percentile, potentially leading to less stability in the long term.
  • Achieved prices tend to be lower than asking, with a median difference of £15,000 (the typical achieved discount), so investors should be prepared for negotiation.

Outlook

Swiss Cottage’s fundamentals suggest stability rather than explosive growth. The market is supported by a highly skilled, affluent and youthful population, and the area’s long-term appeal is unlikely to fade quickly. Annual sales stand at 533, and the rental sector remains dominant, which should keep yields around 4.4% resilient even if capital growth is steady rather than spectacular.

Given the annualised capital growth over three years of 0.6% and the recent one-year change of 0.7%, investors should expect slow but steady performance rather than dramatic gains. The area’s high asking prices may limit entry for some, but for those seeking a liquid, tenant-rich market in London, Swiss Cottage remains a solid bet. The next 12 months are likely to look much like the last: stable, with modest growth and strong rental demand.

Live properties in Swiss Cottage

Investment properties in Swiss Cottage, North West London

3 bedroom apartment for sale
37% below median price

£815,000

3 bedroom apartment for sale

College Crescent, Swiss Cottage, NW...

Properties needing refurbishment in Swiss Cottage, North West London
Needs Refurb
2 bedroom apartment for sale
On market for 168 days

£525,000

2 bedroom apartment for sale

Canfield Place, South Hampstead, Lo...

Slow to sell properties in Swiss Cottage, North West London
Slow to Sell
10 bedroom house for sale
Reduced by 17%

£49,950,000

10 bedroom house for sale

Avenue Road, St John's Wood, London...

Big price drop properties in Swiss Cottage, North West London
Big Price Drop
6 bedroom terraced house for sale
2,960 sq ft

£3,750,000 - Guide Price

6 bedroom terraced house for sale

Howitt Road, London, NW3

Properties with planning granted in Swiss Cottage, North West London
Planning Granted
2 bedroom terraced house for sale
60% below median price

£325,000

2 bedroom terraced house for sale

Church Row, Shipton Oliffe, Chelten...

Low price-per-sq-ft properties in Swiss Cottage, North West London
Low Price per Sq Ft

Achieved vs asking prices

Key takeaway: Balanced market

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

Headline stats

• Median discount: £15,000

• 1 in 4 properties sell at > £35,000 below asking

• 1 in 10 properties sell at > £119,000 below asking

In percentage terms:

• Median discount of 2.3%

• 25% of properties discounted by > 4.2%

• 10% of properties discounted by > 6.0%

Best places to invest in Swiss Cottage

Top postcodes for rental yield and (annualised) capital growth

Rank
Postcode
Yield
Capital growth
Median £/sq ft
1NW84.9%-0.2%£1,098 / sq ft
2NW64.6%0.5%£887 / sq ft
3NW34.3%0.4%£1,072 / 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.