Housing in Dorset
Unitary authorityThe south east of the South West. 391,036 people in 2,491 square kilometres.
17 layers about housing for Dorset, each at the level its publisher released it, with its own date and source.
Sales per year by neighbourhood
Worked out by Open Index · 2025
Dorset’s 223 neighbourhoods range from 7 to 86.
Average house price
CouncilDorset’s average house price was £325,154 in July 2026.
That is 8% higher than South West and 19% higher than the UK average.
Prices fell 0.1% in the year to July 2026.
- Against South West
- 8% higher£302,298
- Against the UK
- 19% higher£272,611
House prices since 2000
Monthly average house price, smoothed. Dorset’s is 3.5 times its 2000 level, slower than South West’s.
House price to pay
CouncilGreat Britain onlyA home in Dorset costs 8.7 times local full-time pay.
Worked out by Open Index from the UK House Price Index and the ONS earnings survey.
Sold prices
PostcodeEngland and Wales onlyPublished as points, so there is no single figure for Dorset. The map shows each one.
Average private rent
CouncilThe average private rent in Dorset was £1,056 a month in August 2026.
That is 15% lower than South West and 25% lower than the UK average.
Rents in Dorset rose 4.9% in the year to August 2026.
For average private rent, Dorset is the 151st most expensive of 316 in the UK.
- Against South West
- 15% lower£1,245
- Against the UK
- 25% lower£1,400
Rent since 2015
Monthly average private rent, smoothed. Dorset’s is 49% higher than in 2015, slower than South West’s.
House sales per year
CouncilEngland and Wales only6,650 homes were sold in Dorset in 2025.
Worked out by Open Index from HM Land Registry Price Paid Data.
Median sale price
CouncilEngland and Wales onlyThe median price paid for a home in Dorset was £345,000 in 2025.
Worked out by Open Index from HM Land Registry Price Paid Data.
Annual price change
CouncilDetached house price
CouncilThe average price of a detached home in Dorset was £515,191 in July 2026.
That is 4% higher than South West and 16% higher than the UK average for detached homes.
- Against South West
- 4% higher£495,113
- Against the UK
- 16% higher£444,936
Flat price
CouncilThe average price of a flat in Dorset was £167,282 in July 2026.
That is 2% lower than South West and 13% lower than the UK average for flats.
- Against South West
- 2% lower£171,240
- Against the UK
- 13% lower£192,704
Semi-detached house price
CouncilThe average price of a semi-detached home in Dorset was £329,926 in July 2026.
That is 2% higher than South West and 18% higher than the UK average for semi-detached homes.
- Against South West
- 2% higher£323,872
- Against the UK
- 18% higher£278,555
Terraced house price
CouncilThe average price of a terraced home in Dorset was £264,878 in July 2026.
That is about the same as South West and 14% higher than the UK average for terraced homes.
- Against South West
- About the same£264,734
- Against the UK
- 14% higher£231,945
House sales per month
Council345 home sales were recorded in Dorset in May 2026.
Figures for the latest months are revised as more sales are registered.
One-bedroom private rent
CouncilThe average private rent for a home with 1 bedroom in Dorset was £732 a month in August 2026.
That is 12% lower than South West and 36% lower than the UK average for the same size of home.
For one-bedroom rent, Dorset is the joint 158th most expensive of 316 in the UK.
- Against South West
- 12% lower£830
- Against the UK
- 36% lower£1,136
Two-bedroom private rent
CouncilThe average private rent for a home with 2 bedrooms in Dorset was £967 a month in August 2026.
That is 9% lower than South West and 25% lower than the UK average for the same size of home.
For two-bedroom rent, Dorset is the joint 149th most expensive of 316 in the UK.
- Against South West
- 9% lower£1,065
- Against the UK
- 25% lower£1,281
Three-bedroom private rent
CouncilThe average private rent for a home with 3 bedrooms in Dorset was £1,191 a month in August 2026.
That is 8% lower than South West and 17% lower than the UK average for the same size of home.
For three-bedroom rent, Dorset is the 145th most expensive of 316 in the UK.
- Against South West
- 8% lower£1,297
- Against the UK
- 17% lower£1,430
Four-bedroom or larger private rent
CouncilThe average private rent for a home with 4 or more bedrooms in Dorset was £1,684 a month in August 2026.
That is 10% lower than South West and 19% lower than the UK average for the same size of home.
For four-bedroom or larger rent, Dorset is the 145th most expensive of 316 in the UK.
- Against South West
- 10% lower£1,872
- Against the UK
- 19% lower£2,080
Annual rent change
CouncilPrivate rents in Dorset changed by 4.9% in the year to August 2026.
Dorset is joint 113th strongest of 316 for annual rent change.
- Against South West
- 11% higher4.4%
- Against the UK
- 29% higher3.8%