Just over one million homes change hands in the UK in a typical year, and millions more households move within the rented sector. This page pulls together verified figures on how many people move, what homes cost across the UK and the West Midlands, and what the main moving costs are, each with its source and data year so the numbers are safe to cite.
How many people move house in the UK each year
- UK residential property transactions run at roughly 1.0 to 1.2 million a year in a stable market (HMRC UK Property Transaction Statistics, latest release). The count covers sales of £40,000 or more recorded for Stamp Duty Land Tax in England and Northern Ireland, Land and Buildings Transaction Tax in Scotland, and Land Transaction Tax in Wales.
- Transactions spiked in 2021 during the SDLT holiday and have since settled back toward that long-run range (HMRC).
- The figure undercounts total moves. Around 19% of English households rent privately (English Housing Survey, latest release), and the rented sector turns over far faster than owner-occupied homes, so the number of household moves is well above the sales count.
What the sales data does not capture: private-rented moves that never reach the Land Registry, social-housing transfers, and homes gifted within a family. Treat the transaction figure as a floor, not a total.
House prices across the UK and the West Midlands
These are the latest Land Registry UK House Price Index averages, all for the same month so they are directly comparable.
| Area |
Average house price |
Data year |
Source |
| England |
£290,951 |
Feb 2026 |
Land Registry UKHPI |
| West Midlands (metropolitan county) |
£232,757 |
Feb 2026 |
Land Registry UKHPI |
| Wolverhampton |
£210,933 |
Feb 2026 |
Land Registry UKHPI |
| Walsall |
£217,541 |
Feb 2026 |
Land Registry UKHPI |
| Dudley |
£229,620 |
Feb 2026 |
Land Registry UKHPI |
| Sandwell (includes West Bromwich) |
£208,572 |
Feb 2026 |
Land Registry UKHPI |
The West Midlands sits well below the England average, which is one reason the region stays active: lower entry prices support more moves per head than higher-priced regions. You can check the live figures any time on the UK House Price Index. For a local view of outgoings, see our guide to moving house costs in Wolverhampton.
What it costs to move: stamp duty and the main outlays
The biggest single cost for most buyers is Stamp Duty Land Tax. These are the standard residential rates in England and Northern Ireland from 1 April 2025 (gov.uk):
- 0% up to £125,000
- 2% on £125,001 to £250,000
- 5% on £250,001 to £925,000
- 10% on £925,001 to £1,500,000
- 12% above £1,500,000
First-time buyers pay 0% up to £300,000 on purchases up to £500,000 (gov.uk, rates from April 2025). Scotland (LBTT) and Wales (LTT) use different bands set by their own governments.
The other move costs, conveyancing, a survey, estate agent fees if you are selling, and the removals themselves, vary by property and service, so they are best confirmed on a quote rather than a rule of thumb. For removals specifically, we give a fixed written figure after a survey rather than a phone estimate. See our house removals service.
Why people move, and how often
The English Housing Survey and property-sector research consistently point to the same leading reasons for moving: needing more space, changing location (often for work), and relationship changes such as forming or ending a household. Downsizing has grown as a driver since 2022 with cost-of-living pressure. We have not attached precise percentages here, because the published breakdowns vary between surveys and years, so cite the specific EHS table for the year you need if you require exact shares.
On distance, ONS internal migration data shows that a large share of moves are local, within the same or a neighbouring area, rather than long-distance relocations (ONS internal migration estimates). That is why most household moves are handled by local removals firms.
A West Midlands snapshot
For movers in and around Wolverhampton, the local price picture (Feb 2026, Land Registry UKHPI) is Wolverhampton £210,933, Walsall £217,541, Dudley £229,620 and Sandwell £208,572, all below the England average of £290,951. Lower prices and steady turnover keep local moving demand consistent across the Black Country. Albert Miles Removals covers this area for house and business moves. Get a fixed written quote after a survey.
Sources and method
This page uses official UK datasets: HMRC UK Property Transaction Statistics for the transaction count, Land Registry UK House Price Index for all average prices (Feb 2026), the English Housing Survey for tenure, gov.uk for Stamp Duty Land Tax rates (from April 2025), and ONS internal migration estimates for move distance. House prices are the UKHPI averages for the stated month. HMRC and the Land Registry update quarterly and monthly respectively, so check the current release for the latest figures before citing.
FAQs
How many houses are sold in the UK each year?
Around 1.0 to 1.2 million residential transactions complete in a typical year across the UK, based on HMRC Property Transaction Statistics, which record sales of £40,000 or more. The number was higher during the 2021 stamp duty holiday and has since returned toward that range.
What is the average house price in the West Midlands?
On the latest Land Registry UK House Price Index (Feb 2026), the West Midlands metropolitan county average is about £232,757, with Wolverhampton at £210,933, Walsall at £217,541 and Dudley at £229,620, all below the England average of about £290,951.
How much is stamp duty when I move?
For standard residential purchases in England and Northern Ireland from April 2025, there is no stamp duty up to £125,000, then 2% to £250,000, 5% to £925,000, 10% to £1.5 million and 12% above that. First-time buyers pay nothing up to £300,000 on purchases up to £500,000. Scotland and Wales set their own equivalents.
How far in advance should I book a removals firm?
Book as soon as your date is confirmed, especially for weekend and end-of-month moves, which are the busiest. The gap between exchange and completion is often only two to four weeks, so popular dates go quickly.
Plan your West Midlands move with Albert Miles
Albert Miles Removals covers house and business moves across [CONFIRM coverage: Wolverhampton, Bilston, Walsall, Dudley, West Bromwich?]. Every job starts with a survey and a fixed written quote. Get a removals quote or call 0121 679 2511.
