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If you’re looking to buy your first home in Kent, one of the biggest factors to consider is affordability.
Using data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) as of 26th March 2025 and in no particular order, we’ve taken a look at some of the most affordable places to live across the county, based on average house prices and what first-time buyers are actually paying.
Whether you’re just starting to think about saving for a deposit or you’re ready to begin viewing properties, this guide breaks down the areas where your money may go further.
1 – Swale
Avg. House Price:
£300,000
Avg. First-Time Buyer Paid:
£264,000
Property Prices in Swale
Swale has an average house price of around £300,000, with first-time buyers typically paying closer to £264,000.
This makes it one of the more affordable districts in Kent. The area includes Sittingbourne, Faversham, and the Isle of Sheppey, offering a range of property types that suit buyers on different budgets.
What Will a Deposit Look Like?
For a home priced at the first-time buyer average of £264,000, a 5% deposit would work out at around £13,200.
If you’re aiming for a 10% deposit, that’s closer to £26,400, while a 15% deposit would be roughly £39,600. These are guide figures only.
Actual requirements can differ depending on the lender, your credit history, and the type of property you’re buying.
Types of Homes You’ll Find
Swale offers a variety of homes that can suit first-time buyers, from traditional terraces in Sittingbourne to newer developments on the town’s outskirts.
There are also pockets of more affordable housing on the Isle of Sheppey, particularly in Sheerness and Queenborough, where property prices tend to be lower than the district average.
Older homes might be more competitively priced, though they may require more work or come with conditions that affect your borrowing options.
In Faversham, the market includes a mix of period properties and modern builds.
While it’s often viewed as more desirable, it tends to carry higher price tags, though some more affordable opportunities still exist on the edges of town.
Understanding how the type and age of a property can impact your mortgage is helpful.
For example, older homes or flats with shorter leases might limit your choice of lenders, while new builds can sometimes come with higher price tags that affect affordability ratios.
Thinking About Buying in Swale?
If you’re weighing up whether Swale could be the right place for your first home, our mortgage advisors in Kent can help you understand how much deposit you’ll need, what types of mortgages might be available, and which properties are most likely to suit your budget.
2 – Gravesham
Avg. House Price:
£356,000
Avg. First-Time Buyer Paid:
£307,000
Property Prices in Gravesham
The average property price in Gravesham currently sits around £356,000, with first-time buyers typically paying closer to £307,000.
Located in north-west Kent, Gravesham includes towns like Gravesend and Northfleet, and benefits from its proximity to London, which has influenced house prices over time.
What Will a Deposit Look Like?
If you’re buying at the first-time buyer average of £307,000, a 5% deposit would come to roughly £15,350. A 10% deposit would be around £30,700, and a 15% deposit would be in the region of £46,050.
These figures are estimates and should only be used as a rough guide. Your deposit requirement could be higher or lower depending on your financial circumstances and the property itself.
Lenders take into account things like your income, credit history, and the type of property when calculating what’s acceptable.
Using a mortgage calculator can help you build a more realistic picture of your borrowing power.
Types of Homes You’ll Find
Gravesham offers a broad mix of property types. In Gravesend, buyers will find both Victorian and Edwardian terraces, as well as a growing number of flats and new build developments.
Northfleet tends to be slightly more affordable, with some pockets that appeal to first-time buyers thanks to their lower entry point.
There are also purpose-built blocks of flats and maisonettes that may offer better value, although leasehold conditions can vary and might influence what lenders are willing to offer.
New housing developments have increased in recent years, particularly along the A2 corridor and near Ebbsfleet.
These modern homes often come with more predictable maintenance costs, but can also be priced slightly above average, especially when located near key transport routes.
While new builds are typically more straightforward for lenders, the higher asking prices can impact affordability and may require a larger deposit to access more favourable mortgage rates.
Thinking About Buying in Gravesham?
If you’re considering Gravesham as a potential area to buy your first home, our mortgage advisors in Kent can walk you through how much deposit you might need and what sort of lending options could be available for the type of property you’re looking at.
3 – Folkestone and Hythe
Avg. House Price:
£307,000
Avg. First-Time Buyer Paid:
£251,000
Property Prices in Folkestone and Hythe
The average house price in this district is around £307,000, with first-time buyers typically paying closer to £251,000.
The area spans coastal towns like Folkestone and Hythe, as well as inland locations such as Hawkinge and Lyminge, offering a varied mix of settings and price points.
What Will a Deposit Look Like?
For a property priced at the first-time buyer average of £251,000, a 5% deposit would be around £12,550. A 10% deposit would total approximately £25,100, and a 15% deposit would be around £37,650.
These are general examples, and actual deposit requirements can differ depending on your individual circumstances, lender policies, and the type of property you’re buying.
Using a mortgage calculator can help give you a more accurate sense of what your borrowing range might be.
Types of Homes You’ll Find
In Folkestone, there’s a mix of Victorian and Edwardian terraces, as well as purpose-built flats and apartments along the seafront.
Hythe, while generally more upmarket, still has smaller properties in its outlying areas that may fall within a first-time buyers’ budget.
Hawkinge is home to a number of newer developments, where buyers may find modern homes with more predictable maintenance costs.
Coastal properties can offer better value in areas slightly removed from the centre.
It’s also worth being aware that some flats in older converted buildings may come with shorter lease terms or additional costs, which could influence your mortgage options.
Thinking About Buying in Folkestone and Hythe?
Our mortgage advisors in Kent can help you assess whether a property in Folkestone, Hythe or the surrounding areas could be a viable first home, based on your deposit, borrowing range and the type of home you’re considering.
4 – Thanet
Avg. House Price:
£272,000
Avg. First-Time Buyer Paid:
£230,000
Property Prices in Thanet
Thanet offers some of the lowest house prices in Kent, with the average property selling for around £272,000. First-time buyers typically spend closer to £230,000.
The district covers coastal towns like Margate, Ramsgate and Broadstairs, with varied pricing depending on location.
What Will a Deposit Look Like?
If you’re looking at a home priced at £230,000, a 5% deposit would be around £11,500. A 10% deposit would be roughly £23,000, while a 15% deposit would be closer to £34,500.
These figures are only examples, as actual deposit requirements may differ depending on factors like the type of mortgage you’re applying for or the specific condition of the property.
Mortgage calculators are a good place to start when working out how much you might need.
Types of Homes You’ll Find
Thanet’s property stock includes older terraces, converted flats, and larger houses that have been subdivided into multiple homes.
While some of the most affordable options are found in the central parts of Margate or Cliftonville, buyers should take care to understand the condition and legal structure of these properties, especially when purchasing a flat.
Broadstairs tends to sit at the higher end of the local price range, though smaller properties and older homes may still fall within reach for first-time buyers.
In Ramsgate, pricing is more mixed, with opportunities for buyers looking for good value close to the sea.
Thinking About Buying in Thanet?
If you’re considering Thanet as a more affordable route onto the property ladder, our mortgage advisors in Kent can help you explore what deposit you might need and what types of homes are likely to match your budget.
5 – Medway
Avg. House Price:
£298,000
Avg. First-Time Buyer Paid:
£271,000
Property Prices in Medway
Medway’s average property price is around £298,000, with first-time buyers typically paying about £271,000.
The area includes towns such as Chatham, Gillingham, Rochester and Strood, each offering different options depending on budget and lifestyle needs.
What Will a Deposit Look Like?
For a property priced at £271,000, a 5% deposit would be around £13,550. A 10% deposit comes to approximately £27,100, and a 15% deposit would be £40,650.
These figures should be treated as a guide only. Lenders will base their requirements on your financial history, income, the property’s condition and sometimes the postcode or street.
It’s worth using a mortgage calculator to better understand what might apply to your situation.
Types of Homes You’ll Find
Medway has a mix of post-war semis, ex-council housing, Victorian terraces, and newer developments.
Chatham and Gillingham often have more affordable homes, while Rochester tends to be more expensive, especially near the historic centre.
Some of the best value can be found in Strood and the edges of Rainham, particularly for buyers looking for houses rather than flats.
Flats in Medway vary in quality, and lease lengths and service charges can differ from one building to the next.
It’s important to get these details early on, as they may affect mortgage eligibility or influence which lenders are available to you.
Thinking About Buying in Medway?
If Medway is on your shortlist, our mortgage advisors in Kent can help you understand how deposit amounts and lender criteria might differ depending on the property and the area you’re looking in.
6 – Maidstone
Avg. House Price:
£360,000
Avg. First-Time Buyer Paid:
£299,000
Property Prices in Maidstone
The average house price in Maidstone is approximately £360,000, with first-time buyers paying around £299,000.
This places Maidstone above the Kent average, though still potentially manageable for buyers with strong affordability and a good deposit.
What Will a Deposit Look Like?
A 5% deposit on a £299,000 home would be about £14,950. A 10% deposit would come to £29,900, and a 15% deposit would be in the region of £44,850.
These are example figures, and your actual deposit may be different depending on the mortgage product and your circumstances.
Mortgage calculators are a good place to begin understanding what’s realistic for your budget.
Types of Homes You’ll Find
Maidstone’s property mix includes suburban semis, purpose-built flats, and larger detached homes in nearby villages.
Town-centre apartments and homes close to the station can be more expensive, though buyers can often find better value slightly further out in areas like Park Wood or Allington.
Leasehold flats are fairly common in the centre, and buyers should be aware of the potential impact of lease terms and service charges on mortgage options.
For those looking for newer properties, there are several recent developments in and around Maidstone, though these may be priced higher due to demand from commuters and families relocating from more expensive areas.
Thinking About Buying in Maidstone?
If you’re looking at Maidstone as a potential place to buy, our mortgage advisors in Kent can help you understand how your deposit and income could shape your mortgage options based on local property trends.
7 – Dover
Avg. House Price:
£297,000
Avg. First-Time Buyer Paid:
£293,000
Property Prices in Dover
Dover has an average house price of £297,000, while first-time buyers tend to pay around £293,000. Unlike many other parts of Kent, there is very little gap between the overall average and the price typically paid by new buyers, which may reflect more consistent pricing across property types.
What Will a Deposit Look Like?
A 5% deposit on a £293,000 home would be about £14,650. A 10% deposit would be £29,300, and a 15% deposit would sit at around £43,950.
These are only example amounts. Your actual deposit may vary based on your financial position and the property you’re considering.
Using a mortgage calculator is one of the easiest ways to get a personalised figure.
Types of Homes You’ll Find
Dover offers a variety of homes including terraced houses, flats, and larger period properties, some of which may have been converted into smaller units.
Affordable terraced houses are common, especially outside the town centre.
While the nearby villages tend to be more expensive, properties within Dover itself are often priced to reflect slower demand growth compared to coastal hotspots further along the coast.
Buyers may come across older homes that need updating, which can affect borrowing if the property doesn’t meet a lender’s standard requirements.
It’s important to get early advice if you’re considering homes in need of renovation.
Thinking About Buying in Dover?
If you’re exploring Dover as an option, our mortgage advisors in Kent can help you make sense of deposit expectations, local lending factors, and which properties may be better suited to your budget.
Looking Beyond the Averages
When it comes to buying a home, affordability isn’t just about the area’s average house price.
Personal circumstances play a big part in what’s realistic, and the numbers you see online won’t always reflect what you’re able to borrow.
Your income, deposit size, credit history and even the type or condition of the property can all influence the mortgage deals available to you.
Some buyers might find that lenders offer more flexibility in certain areas, while others may face restrictions based on lease terms or property type.
Even in the most affordable parts of Kent, it’s still important to think about long-term affordability.
Mortgage repayments, running costs, and the likelihood of future changes in income should all be part of the decision-making process.
If you’re not sure where to begin, or you just want help understanding what these figures mean for you, our mortgage advisors in Kent are here to support you.
We’ll help you make sense of your budget, explore what you could borrow, and find a mortgage that works for your situation.
