This West Yorkshire city has a lot to offer property hunters looking for value for money, with house prices in a different league to many parts of the UK.
Here, you can find three-bedroom semi-detached homes priced from £150,000; character detached houses for around £400,000, and renovation opportunities from £45,000. Factor in a vibrant jobs market and a thriving city centre, surrounded by attractive towns and stunning landscapes, and there’s lots to like about house prices in Bradford!
We take a closer look at Bradford’s:
- Location in West Yorkshire
- History
- Outlook today
- Development plans
- House prices
- Current houses for sale
Let’s dive in and find out if your property search area could involve Bradford!
Location
Bradford is positioned in the centre of the UK and has great road links. It’s eight miles from Leeds and 10 miles from Huddersfield in West Yorkshire. Bradford is renowned for its scenery, close to dramatic beauty spots such as Ilkley Moor, Baildon Moor, the Pennine Moors, and the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park.
Bradford’s history
Bradford dates to Saxon times, developing into a small market town and then a thriving city with the growth of manufacturing and the wool trade. Thanks to the Industrial Revolution, it became the wool capital of the world by the late 19th century: at one time, two-thirds of the country’s wool production was processed here.
Roman remains are evident, and the city is home to some fine collections of Victorian buildings including City Hall and the Wool Exchange. Bradford’s Victorian history can be seen at Saltaire Village in nearby Shipley; this UNESCO World Heritage Site features one of the world’s earlier Victorian model villages, comprising textile mills, workers’ houses, and public buildings.
It was the brainchild of Sir Titus Salt (1803-1876), who created a new community for his workforce, offering a cleaner, less polluted environment. The Salts Mill textile factory was the first structure to be completed in 1853. Designed in a classical style, the site included high-quality housing, schools, a hospital, baths, and alms-houses.
When the textile industry declined and Salts Mill closed in 1986, the building was rescued and opened as a gallery exhibiting the work of local artist David Hockney. Bradford District includes over 4,000 listed buildings.
Bradford today
The city has a population of 536,986. Bradford has the eighth largest economy in England, valued at over £8.7 billion, and is the headquarters for many major companies, attracting a rapidly rising workforce and a growing young population. It has been named UK City of Culture 2025, and over 1,000 new performances, events, and arts festivals are planned, all themed around Bradford’s rich heritage.
As well as being surrounded by amazing landscapes, Bradford District has 36 public parks, covering 270 acres. A mecca for curry lovers, it won the Britain’s Curry Capital award for six years in a row and attracts many food lovers keen to sample an authentic Bradford curry. Bradford also attracts tourists wanting to explore the breathtaking landscapes that surround it.
Development plans
The current Local Development Plan lasts until 2024 and the council is working on the next stage of the Bradford District Local Plan which will be in place until 2038. Sustainable development is at its heart, along with creating a strong economy, identifying land for employment, houses, services, and infrastructure, and an ambition to be net zero carbon by 2038.
The plan will include areas designated for open space, transport, and environmental matters, with a focus on protecting local assets and features. Priority will be given to making better use of brownfield land, minimising the use of Green Belt land, regeneration projects, and work to improve the city centre and many urban areas.
While the area has historic buildings, a manufacturing tradition, a young population, and successful business start-ups, it faces challenges – some urban areas are experiencing significant levels of deprivation and low land and property values. New development, investment, and regeneration are needed to provide jobs and prosperity and help increase market confidence and land values.
Policies include support for helping create strong communities: new housing should be of high-quality design, accessible to services and green spaces, and should be built in areas of low flood risk. Other policies support adopting low-carbon technology and renewable energy to allow the district to adapt to climate change. Sport and recreation provision is also a priority along with promoting public transport, cycling, and walking and improving air quality by creating Clean Air Zones and improving biodiversity.
Bradford’s property market and sold house prices
Over the last year, house prices in Bradford averaged £180,552. Terraced houses accounted for the majority of sales, according to Rightmove, selling for an average of £152,014. Detached homes sold for an average of £341,351 and semi-detached houses averaged £108,983. Overall sold prices were similar to 2021 and were 12% up on the 2019 peak of £161,768.
This table shows house price increases over recent years in Bradford, based on sold house prices provided by Rightmove.
| Property type | Sold price | Date |
| 2 bed terraced house | £128,000 £120,000 £34,000 | Aug 2022 Aug 2007 Aug 1997 |
| 3 bed terraced house | £140,000 £100,000 | Aug 2022 Dec 2010 |
| 2 bed semi-detached house | £155,000 £89,000 | Aug 2022 Aug 2006 |
| 3 bed semi-detached house | £163,000 £52,000 | Aug 2022 June 1996 |
| 2 bed detached house | £145,000 £75,000 £33,000 | Aug 2022 June 2020 Nov 1997 |
| 4 bed detached house | £575,000 £225,000 | July 2022 Dec 2001 |
| 5 bed detached house | £530,000 £377,560 £233,000 | July 2022 July 2009 Aug 2001 |
Estate agent’s view
The market in Bradford has slowed due to the combination of rising interest rates and the cost of living, said Robert McCarthy, residential sales and lettings valuer with Hunters estate agents’ Bradford office. He commented:
There is still demand for viewings, however, sellers are wary of achieving the best price for their homes. Many people moved here during the pandemic to be closer to family and because the cost of housing is lower than in many other parts of the country.
First-time buyers can expect to pay between £70,000-£100,000 for a three-bedroom terraced house and these are still easy to sell, whereas the higher priced properties are now becoming slightly more difficult.
There’s no real slow-up in interest from buy-to-let investors, and while some landlords are looking to sell their portfolios, rents will go up because of rising interest rates.
Houses for sale in Bradford West Yorkshire
This five-bedroom detached house in Rawdon Road, Horsforth, Bradford is an unusual property type, offering a fantastic opportunity to buy a home with 2.6 acres of land, stables, and extensive gardens. It has a grand hall, large dining kitchen, two reception rooms, cellar, double garage, games room, and gym, and is for sale with Hardisty Prestige estate agents priced at £1,500,000.
Broadway House, Wakefield Road, Drighlington, is a detached six-bedroom detached property with a stunning leisure complex comprising an indoor swimming pool, steam room, and sauna. This substantial house has a beautiful modern interior with four bathrooms. It’s set in beautiful grounds and there’s a large driveway, a triple garage, six stables, and a manege. The location is ideally situated for both Bradford and Leeds. Offers of over £1 million are being sought by estate agents Fine & Country, Moortown, Leeds.
This superb property in Eccleshill, near Bradford, West Yorkshire, is a detached five-bedroom detached property type, built in the mid-1800s, with original features including cornices and high ceilings. This is a fantastic opportunity to buy a large, flexible family house as it offers space for working from home, along with four reception rooms, a modern kitchen, two bathrooms, three garages, and cellars. It has full double glazing and central heating and stands in mature gardens. It’s for sale with Strike estate agents, for offers in the region of £699,900.
This stunning period house on Whitehall Road, Drighlington, has been beautifully refurbished and extended to provide great family accommodation over two floors. Detached, with four bedrooms and two bathrooms, it’s grade II listed and has two generous reception rooms and a double-storey rear extension. Features include exposed beams and a herringbone floor in the kitchen. It has a large driveway and a lovely rear garden. The village is ideally situated for Bradford, Leeds, and the M62 motorway. This house is priced at £485,000 with estate agents Manning Stainton, Morley.
There’s bags of charm and character at Stockhill House, which dates to the 18th century and has been recently restored and renovated. This grade II listed semi-detached house is close to local amenities and the train station in a sought-after part of Apperley Bridge. It has two floors and is well-proportioned with three double bedrooms, a country-style dining kitchen, and a lounge with a log-burning stove. An extra bonus is a converted cellar which is currently used as a home office. The house has an enclosed south-facing garden, a garage, and parking. It’s for sale through Hunters estate agents, priced at £375,000.
Ling Park Approach, Wilsden, Bradford is a four-bedroom detached house in a quiet cul-de-sac, close to local amenities. It’s been extended and has a playroom, study, kitchen-diner and off-street parking. It is priced at £325,000 with Linley Simpson estate agents.
This deceptively spacious, mid-terrace house in Hanover Square, Bradford, is priced at £225,000. It has five bedrooms, two reception rooms, a ground floor wet room and a further bathroom, two cellars and small front and rear gardens. Set over three floors, this is a rare opportunity to buy a great family home, being close to public transport and lots of amenities. The estate agents are Whitegates.
If new homes are on your radar, this three-bedroom middle townhouse in Ingrow may be of interest. For sale with Dacre Son Hartley estate agents, priced at £189,960, it has three floors, a rear garden, and a front driveway.
Townend estate agents are selling this one-bedroom, fully modernised one-bedroom cottage set over two floors at Bolton Lane, Bolton Outlanes, which is priced at £79,950. Ideal for first-time buyers, it has a new kitchen and bathroom, and has been recently decorated.
If your property search includes a doer-upper, Rose Lynn Terrace, off Halifax Road, Bradford, is a full renovation project offering a great investment opportunity. Priced at £45,000, this end-terraced house has two floors, a lounge, kitchen, basement, one bedroom, a bathroom, and garden space to the front. It’s 1.6 miles from a railway station and is ideally situated for commuting to Bradford and Halifax in West Yorkshire. This property is for sale with Robert Watts estate agents.
Life in Bradford
If you live in Bradford, we’d love to know what you think about living there.
Your comments may help readers who have Bradford on their property search horizon.
What are the pros and cons of living in this beautiful part of West Yorkshire?
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