House prices in New Forest
The median price paid for a home in New Forest was £377,000 in the 12 months to September 2026, from 2,255 sales. House prices in New Forest rose 0.5% in the year to September 2026, and are 0.5% higher than five years earlier. In the 12 months to September 2026, the median price in New Forest was 2% higher than the median for South East (£370,000). The average private rent in New Forest was £1,244 a month in August 2026, 1.8% up on a year earlier (ONS). New Forest had 5.2 crimes per 100 people recorded by the police in the 12 months to August 2026.
Where New Forest stands out
- New Forest has the 22nd most home sales per person of 317 local authorities in England and Wales: 1.24 per 100 people in the 12 months to September 2026.
- Over the five years to September 2026, prices in New Forest had the 23rd smallest price rise of 317 local authorities in England and Wales (+0.5%).
- New Forest has the 34th lowest crime rate of 302 local authorities in England and Wales with full figures: 5.2 crimes per 100 people in the 12 months to August 2026.
House prices in New Forest
The median price paid in New Forest was £377,000 in the 12 months to September 2026, from 2,255 sales, or £4,316 per square metre of floor area.
By type of home
| Type | Median price | Sales | Per m² | 1 year | 5 years | South East |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Detached | £550,000 | 964 | £4,759 | +5.8% | +8.9% | £590,000 |
| Semi-detached | £352,500 | 523 | £4,194 | +0.7% | +8.5% | £400,000 |
| Terraced | £290,000 | 447 | £4,166 | −1.7% | +5.5% | £320,000 |
| Flats | £203,000 | 321 | £3,344 | −3.3% | −3.3% | £213,000 |
Compared with South East and England
Median price
Price per m² of floor area
| Area | Median price | 1 year | 5 years | Per m² | Per m², 1 year |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Forest | £377,000 | +0.5% | +0.5% | £4,316 | −0.9% |
| South East | £370,000 | −1.3% | +4.2% | £4,310 | −1.2% |
| England | £285,000 | −1.4% | +5.6% | £3,333 | −0.6% |
By floor area, homes in New Forest sold for a median £4,316 per m² in the 12 months to September 2026, about the same as the figure for South East (£4,310).
New Forest has the 84th highest median price of 317 local authorities in England and Wales, and the 32nd lowest of 64 local authorities in South East.
Its +0.5% change over the year is the 97th biggest price rise of 317 in England and Wales, and the 17th biggest rise of 64 local authorities in South East.
How many homes sell in New Forest
2,176 homes were sold in New Forest in the 12 months to September 2026, 1.24 for every 100 people living there. In the 12 months to June 2026, sales in New Forest were 8.0% up on the year before and 41.8% lower than five years earlier.
That is the 22nd most sales per person of 317 local authorities in England and Wales, and the 4th most of 64 local authorities in South East.
Home sales per 100 people: sales recorded by HM Land Registry, less those not at full market value, against ONS's population estimate.
Crime in New Forest
The police recorded 9,257 crimes in New Forest in the 12 months to August 2026, 5.2 for every 100 people living or working there. Recorded crime in New Forest fell 5.6% in the 12 months to August 2026 compared with the 12 months before, and is 20.4% lower than three years earlier.
| Kind of crime | Per 100 people |
|---|---|
| Violence and sexual offences | 2.30 |
| Anti-social behaviour, damage, drugs and public order | 1.88 |
| Theft and vehicle crime | 0.69 |
| Burglary and robbery | 0.35 |
New Forest has the 34th lowest crime rate of 302 local authorities in England and Wales with full figures, and the 12th lowest of 64 local authorities in South East.
The figure for England leaves out Gloucestershire and Greater Manchester, whose police have not published every month.
Street crime from police.uk. People are those living there plus those coming in to work, so town and city centres aren't overstated.
Rents in New Forest
The average private rent in New Forest was £1,244 a month in August 2026, 1.8% up on a year earlier. Rents in New Forest are 28.4% higher than five years earlier (August 2026 against August 2021).
New Forest has the 114th highest average rent of 316 local authorities in England and Wales, and the 16th lowest of 64 local authorities in South East.
Deprivation in New Forest
New Forest is the 58th least deprived of 296 local authorities in England on the English Indices of Deprivation 2025 (where 1 is the most deprived).
| Part of the index | Rank of 296 (1 = most deprived) |
|---|---|
| Overall | 239th |
| Income | 245th |
| Employment | 214th |
| Education and skills | 203rd |
| Health | 227th |
| Crime | 193rd |
| Barriers to housing and services | 123rd |
| Living environment | 282nd |
Broadband and mobile in New Forest
77.4% of premises in New Forest can get gigabit broadband and 97.4% can get superfast (30 Mbit/s or more), by Ofcom's latest figures. 75.4% can get full fibre, and 0.4% get under 10 Mbit/s. Its gigabit coverage is the 46th lowest of 318 local authorities in England and Wales.
Premises able to get gigabit broadband
84.1% of premises in New Forest get good 4G indoors from all four mobile networks (England: 91.2%).
People moving in and out in New Forest
In the year ending June 2025, 9,107 people moved to New Forest from elsewhere in the UK and 7,608 moved away, a net gain of 1,499 (8.5 per 1,000 residents).
Most moved in from
- Bournemouth, Christchurch an 1,352
- Southampton 1,128
- Dorset 605
Most moved out to
- Bournemouth, Christchurch an 1,192
- Southampton 717
- Dorset 611
Moves within the UK only (ONS internal migration); people arriving from or leaving for abroad aren't counted.
Questions about New Forest
How much does a house cost in New Forest?
The median price paid for a home in New Forest was £377,000 in the 12 months to September 2026. By type: detached £550,000; semi-detached £352,500; terraced £290,000; flats £203,000.
Are house prices in New Forest going up?
In the year to September 2026, the median price in New Forest rose 0.5%, and over five years it rose 0.5%. Across South East prices fell 1.3% over the same year.
How much is rent in New Forest?
The average private rent in New Forest was £1,244 a month in August 2026. 1 bed £864; 2 bed £1,132; 3 bed £1,391; 4+ bed £1,988.
Is New Forest a safe place to live?
New Forest had 5.2 crimes per 100 people in the 12 months to August 2026, the 34th lowest of 302 local authorities in England and Wales with full figures. The figure for South East was 7.2. Crime varies a lot from street to street: look up a postcode on the map for its own figures.
Can you get full fibre broadband in New Forest?
75.4% of premises in New Forest can get full fibre and 77.4% can get gigabit broadband, by Ofcom's latest figures.
Nearby areas
- Southampton 13 km
- Eastleigh 21 km
- Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole 22 km
- Fareham 27 km
- Isle of Wight 28 km
Sources: HM Land Registry Price Paid Data, ONS (private rents, population estimates, internal migration), police.uk, MHCLG English Indices of Deprivation 2025, Ofcom Connected Nations. Figures updated November 2026. Contains HM Land Registry data © Crown copyright and database right; Office for National Statistics and police.uk data licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0.