THE Forest of Dean’s average house prices are 292.4 per cent higher now than they were in 2000, according to a new analysis.

The study by consumer finance guide Låneguiden.se analysed data from the HM Land Registry UK House Price Index, comparing average house prices in every local authority in England and Wales in June 2000 and June 2026.

It was revealed that the average house price in Forest of Dean in June 2026 was £288,524, up from £73,533 in June 2000. This is a nominal change of 292.4 per cent, and a real change of 100.7 per cent when accounting for inflation.

The percentage difference in prices is known as the “nominal change” in the study, while the "real change” was calculated after deflating by the Consumer Price Index (CPI). This indicated the price increase when accounting for inflation.

Jakob Thorselius, Editor of Låneguiden.se, said: "Every local authority area experienced a nominal and real increase in house prices in the last 26 years. While a nominal increase would be expected, it is a stark fact that every area experienced an increase of at least 40 per cent when calculations allowed for inflation.

"The average UK house price has risen around 3.3 times in the first quarter of the 21st century, and with inflation figures not keeping in line, the figures depict the challenges homebuyers face in today's market.

"Interestingly, our findings revealed that it is the North West areas that have seen the greatest increases, while the South East have seen the lowest. This somewhat turns the assumption on its head that the North is more affordable. While prices are lower in many top-ranking areas, the rate at which prices are increasing is almost triple in some locations."

You can find more information about house prices in the Forest of Dean by visiting the Office for National Statistics website.