Compare cities
Comparing 2 cities
Side-by-side view. Add another city below or remove one with the × above.
| Metric | Birmingham Second city. First-rate growth fundamentals. | London Global capital. Global demand. Long-term capital. |
|---|---|---|
| Gross yield range | 5–6.8% | 3.5–5.5% |
| Entry price | £180,000–£410,000 | £320,000–£1,250,000 |
| Population forecast | 1.2m by 2030 | 9.6m by 2030 |
| Price growth forecast | +19.9% (2024-29) | +13.9% (2024-29) |
| Rental growth forecast | +18.4% (2024-28) | +15.1% (2024-28) |
| New homes pipeline | 17,000 (Smithfield alone) | 37,000 pa (vs 340k need) |
| Universities | 5 universities | 40+ universities |
| Student population | 80,000+ students | 420,000+ students |
| City-centre businesses | — | — |
| Median age | 33.7 years (ONS 2024) | 35 years (lowest in England); inner-east boroughs 30–32 |
| Private renters | 22.6% citywide; 29.4% in B1 | 30% London-wide; 40%+ in Tower Hamlets, Hackney, Newham |
| Graduate retention | 41% (Savills 2024) | 77% (highest in UK, Centre for Cities) |
| Household income | £28,648 avg salary B1 | £79,555 GDHI per head Westminster + City (ONS 2023) |
| Target tenant | Young professionals 25–34 in legal, financial, HS2 and professional services. Five universities add a strong graduate pipeline. Asian professional demographic particularly prominent in Colmore Row and Brindleyplace postcodes. | City and Canary Wharf finance and tech professionals, global graduates on 3–5 year stints, international students. East End regeneration zones pick up priced-out millennials and key workers. |
| Top regen project | Paradise Birmingham · £1.2bn | Old Kent Road Opportunity Area · £10bn+ |
| Regen pipeline | 4 major schemes | 4 major schemes |
| Key neighbourhoods | Digbeth · Jewellery Quarter · Snow Hill & Colmore Business District · Broad Street & Westside | Canary Wharf & Docklands · Stratford & Olympic Park · Elephant & Castle · Woolwich & Abbey Wood |
| Transport highlight | New Street & Moor Street, 1h 22m to London | 6 international airports |
| Full market brief → | Full market brief → |
Next Step
Want a written market comparison?
Tell us which cities you're weighing up. Within one business day, we'll send a formal side-by-side analysis: yield comparables, 5-year forecast ranges, regeneration commentary and the typical investor profile in each.
Book a Free Consultation