Southampton area report

Highlights

Southampton is a unitary authority in Hampshire with a population of 248,922. The median house price stands at 250,000, with 6,120 sales recorded over 12 months and a five-year price trend of 13.6 per cent. Flats dominate the housing stock at 41.5 per cent of accommodation, followed by semi-detached properties at 25.8 per cent. Owner-occupation accounts for 47.7 per cent of households. Employment is moderately strong at 57.9 per cent with an unemployment rate of 6.6 per cent; health and social work is the largest sector at 17.9 per cent. Education levels show 31.6 per cent of residents hold level 4 qualifications or above. Schools include 53 primary and 12 secondary institutions, with 28 of 35 rated establishments achieving good or better status. Life expectancy is 77.8 years for males and 83.2 years for females. Air quality is moderate, with nitrogen dioxide at 12.7 and particulate matter at 6.7 annual means. Broadband connectivity is high at 92.1 per cent gigabit-capable coverage. The area contains 314 listed buildings and 20 conservation areas. Council tax band D is 2,381.48 for 2026/27.

Data updated 2026/27 (tax); 2025 (control). Southampton, Hampshire — a free, sourced local-area report from Acreright. Every figure shows its source and date; where the data isn't reliable we say so rather than guess.

Within Hampshire, Southampton ranks 1st cheapest of 13, 13th safest and 1st most affordable.

What does it cost?

• £250,000 median home price (HM Land Registry Price Paid + UK HPI, Apr 2026)

Sold prices in Southampton have risen 11% over the last five years (UK House Price Index).

How safe is it?

• 12.5 recorded crimes per 1,000 people (police.uk, May 2026)

Who lives here?

• 248,921 residents (ONS Census 2021 (Nomis), 2021)

About 45% of neighbourhoods in England are more deprived than Southampton (English Indices of Deprivation, decile 5 of 10, national basis). Less deprived than in 2019 (decile 4 then).

Schools

• 80% of inspected schools rated Good or Outstanding (Get Information About Schools (GIAS) + Ofsted inspections MI, 2026)

Health

• 77.8 · 83.2 yrs life expectancy (men · women) (NHS ODS register (GP/dentist/pharmacy) + OSM (hospitals) + IoD2025 health domain + OHID Fingertips (outcomes), 2026/2025)

Getting around

• ≈107 min fastest train to London (OpenStreetMap + National Rail timetable (ATOC/RDG, GTFS), 2026)
• 92% of premises can get gigabit broadband (Ofcom Connected Nations 2024, Jul 2024)

Has it been a good investment?

Of homes in Southampton that changed hands in the last five years, 17.7% sold for less than the previous owner paid — 0.6 points above South East (17.1%) (nominal, not inflation-adjusted). Across those resales the typical gain was 13.64% over 8.19 years held.

Investment context: a gross rental yield of about 6.5% (area median rent against the median sold price) — appraise a specific property at /appraisal/southampton.

Compare every area in Hampshire: Hampshire area guide & rankings.

Nearby areas we cover: Eastleigh, Fareham, Winchester.