The Cambridge property market in figures
The average home in Cambridge sold for £475,000 in July 2026, up 0.0% on £475,000 a year earlier, according to ONS figures from the UK House Price Index. That is above the East of England average of £337,518, which moved up 0.5%.
Detached homes averaged £979,000, semi-detached £603,000, terraced £494,000 and flats or maisonettes £299,000. Over the year, semi-detached prices rose 1.3% while flats fell 2.3%.
Cash buyers in Cambridge paid £488,000 on average and buyers with a mortgage £470,000; first-time buyers averaged £398,000 and those moving home £600,000.
On the rental side, the ONS Price Index of Private Rents gives £1,805 a month for Cambridge in August 2026 (£1,773 a year before, a 1.8% rise), against £1,400 for the UK. A flat let for £1,455, a terraced house £1,833, a semi £2,008 and a detached house £2,342.
Against £1,289 across the East of England (+3.5%), Cambridge rents grew more slowly than the regional figure. Within that, three-bedroom rents rose 2.2% and semi-detached 2.0%.
A few comparisons drawn from the same figures. Cambridge homes averaged 74.0% more than the UK figure of £273,000. Home-movers paid £202,000 more than first-time buyers (£600,000 against £398,000). Rents outpaced prices, up 1.8% against +0.0% for values. A four-bedroom let cost 2.1 times a one-bedroom let.
Loan sizes and yields in Cambridge
For scale: a 70% bridge on a terraced house at the £494,000 average comes to around £345,000; at 75% on a £603,000 semi it is around £450,000. Retained interest and fees come off the gross advance.
Rough gross yields from the same ONS averages: 5.8% for a flat (£1,455 a month on £299,000) and 4.5% for a terrace (£1,833 on £494,000). At that level the rental cover test, not the valuation, can decide how much a refinance raises. Check the exit with a buy-to-let lender, or with us, before you bridge, and price the bridge with our cost calculator.
Tax and legal points in Cambridge
Stamp Duty Land Tax is often the biggest cost after the deposit. A terraced house at the £494,000 average would cost about £39,400 in Stamp Duty Land Tax, and a flat at £299,000 about £19,900, for an individual buying an additional home, using the current bands plus the 5% higher-rates surcharge. Your solicitor confirms the exact figure.
The local plan and planning authority
Cambridge City Council is the planning authority, and it is preparing a joint plan with South Cambridgeshire District Council. The Cambridge Local Plan, adopted on 18 October 2018, provides for 14,000 homes from 2011 to 2031. The joint Greater Cambridge Local Plan for 2024 to 2045 was published at Regulation 19 in August 2026, proposing a minimum of 48,069 homes across both councils, an annual need of 2,289.
Lenders that lend in Cambridge
49 lenders on our panel lend first charge bridging in Cambridge. You can see who they are further down this page. Before approaching a lender we confirm it will lend on that address and that type of property.
Bridging loans in Cambridge: questions
What is the average house price in Cambridge?
£475,000 in July 2026, up 0.0% on a year earlier (ONS, UK House Price Index).
How many lenders do bridging loans in Cambridge?
49 on our panel offer first charge bridging that covers Cambridge.
Who handles planning applications in Cambridge?
Cambridge City Council. Local Plan adopted 18 Oct 2018. Draft joint plan: at least 48,069 homes, 2024 to 2045.
What does a property rent for in Cambridge?
£1,805 a month on average in August 2026, up 1.8% on the year, from £1,256 for one bedroom to £2,656 for four or more. A terraced house averages a rough gross yield of 4.5%.
Is a bridging loan in Cambridge regulated?
Only if you or a close family member live, or will live, in the property. Bridges on Cambridge investment, company or commercial property are usually unregulated.
