Home moving costs 74% more now than 10 years ago

Homebuyers in England pay an average of £17,413 in upfront expenses according to research by home moving comparison site reallymoving, down 2.3% from 2025’s report. The report shows a nominal 2.7% increase in average sales and purchase conveyancing fees, from £2,182 to £2,241.

In real terms the cost of moving home has increased by 74% over the past decade with a home move in 2016 costing £10,016 in today’s money.

reallymoving’s annual Cost of Moving Report analysed data from 204,000 home moving quotes to calculate the typical cost of buying and selling a property, factoring in stamp duty, conveyancing, estate agent fees, a Level 2 RICS Homebuyer survey, an Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) and removals.

A “modest fall” in the median price of properties being bought and sold has seen a £418 reduction in the cost of moving, compared with 12 months ago. Median property purchase prices fell £395,000 to £390,000 this year, reducing the typical stamp duty bill by £250, while the median sale price dropped from £325,000 to £315,000 cutting average estate agent fees by £142 said the site. “Fierce competition” amongst removal companies has seen the cost of removals fall by almost 12% from £709 to £624 based on a move of under 30 miles.

The report shows significant variations in costs across the country; with the cost of moving home in London some 84% higher than the England average at £32,017. The four southern regions, London, the south east, east of England and the south West, average £22,844 in moving costs, more than double the £11,110 average across the North East, North West and Yorkshire and the Humber where dlower house prices affect stamp duty and estate agency bills.

“Movers will be relieved to hear the cost of moving has eased a little this year, but the longer-term picture is far less reassuring.” said Rob Houghton, founder and CEO of reallymoving. “Moving home costs almost three-quarters more than it did a decade ago, even after accounting for inflation, making it a major barrier to mobility and economic growth. When households face an upfront bill of more than £17,000 simply to buy and sell, particularly during an extended cost-of-living crisis such as this, many decide to stay where they are even if their home no longer suits their needs. It prevents people from relocating for a new job, discourages growing families from moving to larger homes and makes downsizing much less attractive.”