Birmingham is England's second city and arguably its most underrated. Home to more canals than Venice, the UK's youngest major city population and an extraordinary food scene centred on Broad Street and the Jewellery Quarter, Birmingham has been quietly transforming for two decades. The upcoming HS2 connection (whatever remains of it) promises to further improve London links. House prices remain the most affordable of any major UK city, making it compelling for first time buyers and investors alike.
Free crime rates, schools, flood risk and house prices in 30 seconds.
Birmingham City Centre has significant variation between sub-areas — crime, schools and property values differ considerably within short distances.
Birmingham's most characterful neighbourhood — 200-year-old jewellery trade, converted Georgian workshops, excellent independent restaurants and bars. Increasingly popular with young professionals. The Museum of the Jewellery Quarter is world-class. Crime around city average — improving.
Birmingham's creative quarter — converted Victorian factories, independent venues, the Custard Factory arts centre, excellent street food market. Crime is above average but the area has huge energy and rapid improvement. The new HS2 Curzon Street station will transform this area.
Birmingham's waterfront showpiece — award-winning canal-side restaurants and bars, Symphony Hall, the Hyatt and Malmaison hotels. Crime lower than city average. New-build apartments with canal views. Popular with professionals.
Birmingham's most prestigious residential suburb — large Victorian houses, low crime, excellent schools, Edgbaston Cricket Ground. Prices higher than city average but still excellent value nationally. The safest part of inner Birmingham.
The most popular family suburb — excellent schools, village high street, lower crime. Consistently one of the West Midlands' most desirable postcodes. Popular with young families who want city access without city crime rates.
Birmingham has above average crime for England, particularly in the city centre and some inner city areas. However the residential suburbs tell a very different story — Edgbaston, Harborne and Sutton Coldfield have crime rates comparable to the safest English towns. The B1/B2 city centre postcodes have significantly higher crime than B15/B17 residential. Always check the specific postcode.
See also: Full Birmingham City Centre safety guide →
Birmingham average prices of £250,000 make it the most affordable major city in England alongside Sheffield and Leeds. Edgbaston and Harborne average £350,000+. Sutton Coldfield can reach £500,000 for family homes. City centre new-build apartments start around £150,000. The 12-month trend is strongly positive at +5.1% — one of the strongest price growth cities in England.
Birmingham has excellent transport — New Street is one of the UK's busiest stations with frequent services to London Euston (1hr 25min), Manchester and Bristol. The Midland Metro tram network covers the city centre. Multiple motorways radiate from the city. HS2 Curzon Street station, if delivered, will transform city centre connectivity.
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